Interview: Billboard Chart-Topping Artist Kristine W Headlines Halloween Palm Springs 2016

The incomparable Kristine W will headline Halloween Palm Springs, Saturday, October 29 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. Kristine W has scored 16 potent #1 dance hits and a record-setting string of nine consecutive #1s on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart over the past 16 years, earning Kristine third place on Billboard's Best of 2000s Dance Club Play Artists rankings and landing this highly-musical and multitalented independent entertainer squarely within a pantheon of legends and major stars. I had a chance to catch up with Kristine W as she was beginning to prepare for her upcoming Palm Springs appearance, to talk about both the Halloween Concert and all things Kristine W.

DG: Where are you from and how did your life lead you into a career in music?

KW: I was born into a musical family. My Dad was a rancher and a country western singer and my Mom sang country with him... and also standards ,Jazz and Pop tunes of the time . Dad died tragically at the age of 32 and music became the lifeline for our families survival . My Mom was unemployed at the time and had 4 kids under the age of 6 to feed so she went to work playing her guitar and singing in restaurants - which transitioned in to resorts , cruise ships and supper clubs. I started out performing Gospel when I was kid then I gravitated to Jazz In Junior high and high school and then to Dance music the moment I heard Donna Summer. I can sing any style of music from Country to hip-hop because I had to - working Vegas to a main stream audience and performing with so many bands to put myself through college . Music paid for bachelors degree, but I got another couple PHD's growing up on the Vegas stages. (she laughs)

DG: Do you remember the first time you performed in front of an audience?

KW: I remember singing in church for the first time during the offering at about 8 years old with my guitar and I got such a positive reaction I became a regular and started getting my own following. (she laughs)

DG: When did you first realize you could be a competitive force in the professional music world?

KW: I knew I could compete in the musical arena when I hopped on a flight at age 16 for Reno without telling my family, and entered a talent contest at the MGM Grand. I'd read about in the paper. I didn't know you had to be 21 and no one questioned my age . I was already 5'11 and wore a red dress with a feather boa. I beat all the artists singing Donna Summer songs and got a cash award. The host of the show was so impressed she drove me to Tahoe to compete, and I won there the next night . I never told anyone my age, and nobody asked . That weekend gave me a lot of confidence but my Mom is still mad about it. I scared her to death.

DG: Do you remember the first time you heard yourself on the radio?

KW: The first time I heard my song on the radio was "One More Try" In NYC. I was on my way in to meet some of the RCA staff for the first time, and KTU radio was the station always playing throughout the floors of the RCA building in Times Square. I just burst out crying and was a mess . It took me a beat to get it together. It was such a surreal moment . I wrote about it in my song called " The Song Lives On ".

DG: Was there a moment when you realized you had reached a certain level of success?

KW: I knew I had reached a level of success when I was named one of Billboards Magazines "Top 3 Dance Divas of the Decade", behind Madonna and Beyonce. That was a real honor .

DG: What kind of music do you listen to?

KW: I listen to a lot of house music in all styles and from all over the world. I like EDM when I need to wake up - Smooth Jazz when Im chilling . I listen to country when I want to listen to story songs etc. I'm all over the map . I love Justin Timberlake, Al Jarreau, Adele, Ellie Goulding , Ella , James Taylor ... Donna Summer of course .... I could go on for days !! I just love music and artists of all kinds . Right now i have Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance" in my player. I'm gonna do a cool new arrangement of it and sing it at my friend's wedding in a few weeks. See what I mean ... music is in my DNA..

DG: Do you write all your own songs ?

KW: Yes. I either write them or co-write them with other writers, which is always a fun and challenging collaborative experience .

DG: Who were your role models?

KW: My Mother is one of my greatest role models . She has a lot of self discipline . She was able to work in Nightclubs for decades after my Dads sudden passing and not get caught up in the bar scene - in drinking while performing or bringing home guys after her show . She had boyfriends after my Dad died but she never brought them home . She kept us away from anything that would disrupt our focus on our school and on our activities and was always supportive and positive . I know she had her fun, but I'm so blessed that she loved us enough to always put us first. Now that Im a parent, I so respect that .

DG: You had a life-changing moment in your life in 2001. Can you talk about that?

KW: I was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2001 and battled it for three years . It was a horrifying experience, seeing so many people not survive during that time, but it also gave me clarity and I know God kept me here to raise my babies that were 1 and 2 1/2 at the time.

DG: What would you consider your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

KW: My greatest professional accomplishment is that I have a a loyal fan base that are also my friends and, together, we have this amazing musical family that just keeps growing .

DG: What can audiences expect to hear at Halloween Palm Springs?

KW: We are putting together an all new show and we don't even know what the final line up will be- although we have the opener picked out, and the closer . Lots of surprises coming for Palm Springs for all of us.

DG: Where do you get your song ideas?

KW: Ideas for songs just pop into my head, after a string of coincidental happenings for instance. Things that affect the people around me. Those I meet, and or fans that tell me stories of what's happening In their lives . I feel like I am the messenger, and I try to keep the message hopeful .

DG: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring, professional singers?

KW: I would tell anyone wanting to pursue music that you have to really love music and the arts because it;s a total commitment, a way of life, and really challenging journey.

The incomparable Kristine W will headline Halloween Palm Springs, Saturday, October 29 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. Ketel One vodka will serve as the presenting sponsor for the VIP Lounge with hosted bar, micro-brew tastings, Party City gift bag with Halloween Palm Springs t-shirt, candy and snacks along with a dedicated port-a-pottie (don't laugh) and in and out privileges. There will be a meet and greet and photos with Kristine W in the VIP Lounge. Tickets are $60.00 and are available online only and are limited to 250. Other performances will include the spectacular Marina Mac, DJ BAZ, Pinkie Meringue Shimmer and the effervescent Bella da Ball as Master of Ceremonies. The event is FREE with a suggestion donation of $5 being accepted at each of the entrances. For VIP tickets or more information about the event visit www.halloweenpalmsprings.com

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