How long have you been playing?

As long as I can remember I have been singing. Vocals (both lead & harmony) are my expertise. I played flute in band all through school and still play flute and rhythm guitar occasionally. I like to write lyrics - especially parodies and am working on a new "All Parody CD" right now..

What are you looking for from Fandalism?

Other musicians that I have things in common with and maybe even collaborating on writing or other gigs to sing on.

What was the first concert you ever went to?

I think it was Bobby Bare in Dickinson, ND. I was little and was singing along and mom nudged me to be quiet. I saw Kiss & Heart at The Bismarck Civic Center when I was a teenager. I remember being inspired to be a back-up singer when I saw Ronnie Milsap in Faith, SD...he had a "chick singer" and I thought that would be a cool job.

Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?

My mom. She played organ, guitar, accordian and sang both lead and harmony without any lessons. My Aunt Margaret yodeled and I remember my mom harmonizing with her . Other than that, we had a lot of records including Wanda Jackson, Jean Shepherd, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Jeannie C. Riley, Ray Price, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Charley Pride, Buck Owens & many many more. When I started buying my own music I loved classic rock and new country but all of these styles have influenced me. I love Linda Ronstadt, Tanya Tucker, KD Lang, The Judds, Wynonna, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah McLaughlin, Norah Jones, Etta James, Adele,The Eagles, Heart and way too many to mention on here.

Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?

Yes. I currently sing as part of a duo and can also work with a band. For more info. go to www.andyandbrendacoin.com
Some of the bands I have been in are listed below:
The Poor Boys from Buffalo, SD when I was about 15. I met them at a local talent show. They won and so did I so we hooked up.
Country Fire & Wild Fire from my home town - Mom and Dad heard them and introduced me to them when the other band broke up.
West Texas Express from Sedalia, MO - met them at The Holiday Inn and jammed with them and quit my waitress job and went on the road with them for a few years.
Quarter Moon from Albert Lea, MN - me and my first husband's own band- played locally then went on the road for several years
Numerous Shows in Branson after moving there in 1989 - The Vance Greek Show, Eddie Cash Show, Buck Trent Show, Warren Stokes Country Revue, The Brumley Show, The Larry Musgrave Show, Memories In The Morning, Charley Pride Show, The Chuckwagon Gang, The Jukebox Jamboree, The Branson Divas, Hank & Patsy Together Again, The Coin Collection, Andy & Brenda Coin Classic Country Show
I played clubs & theaters and traveled overseas with Charley Pride to England, Ireland & Scotland and on several cruise ships.

If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?

Hmmm...that's a tough one. Working with Charley Pride was a dream come true for both me and my mom. It was one of her favorite artists ! I also worked with his son, Dion who is also a great musician & entertainer.
If Patsy Cline was still alive, I would have loved to sing with her - she was ahead of her time and could do it all.
Wynonna, Linda Ronstadt, KD Lang or Bonnie Raitt would be cool as they are so soulful and could be real creative with some vocals behind or alongside of them. Adele is really hot right now too and I loved her voice the first time I heard it. She is a great influence vocally. Love her !!!

What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?

Probably at The Paladium in London or with The Ft. Worth Symphony or some of the other big halls I sang with Charley Pride at. We also opened for Alabama and Wayne Newton which were big audiences.
The smallest would have to be when I sang with The Branson Divas - maybe two or four people sometimes.

You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?

Linda Ronstadt's Greatest Hits
High School
It just moved me and I would play it every night when I went to bed until I fell asleep to it.