10 Questions with ... Plumb

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Released first album "plumb" in the Spring 1997. "Beautiful History" is plumb's 6th album and will release November 3.

1) The single "God-Shaped Hole (2010)--what is the meaning of that song to you now?

The same as it was in 1998 when it was originally recorded, that within each of us is a void that can only be filled by God. We try to fill it with stuff that's selfish and are never satisfied. God is the only way to complete us. I was mad that I had to put it on an album back in 1998 because they didn't want to release the project without God's name in it. I hate the marketing of Jesus Christ. I don't add the name in or leave it out to sell a song. I think they're both equally wrong. So I've struggled to enjoy playing it for years. But seeing how much the song's meaning has encouraged so many, I couldn't leave it off the new album. Especially this kind of album. It's for the fans. They seem to love it and I love them. However, despite all my frustration with its original reason for making it on "candycoatedwaterdrops," I agree with its meaning. And Wayne wrote a great lyric. I hope I complimented it with a hooky melody. Tadah.

2) Your "Beautiful History" collection releases in November. What are a couple of highlights for you on that album?

Obviously, the two new songs "Hang On" and "Beautiful History." But more than that, the chance to finally promote "Stranded." A song that is my most requested song to date but was never marketed, toured, released as a single, made into a video, made into a remix or ever played on the radio even. However, it was in several movies and movie trailers and covered by other artists. I left my first label before it was ever possible to promote it. So in the shows I've played, I am always amazed at how often I am asked to play it. This album will be the first time its ever actually marketed and given the shot it deserved back in 1998.

3) What does the remainder of 2009 hold for you?

A few shows, a video for "Hang On," some rehearsing and getting ready for the new year and the touring that I'll be doing. I'm also writing but that doesn't make it different than any other day or month or year for me.

4) What is the story behind the upcoming single "Hang On"?

I was a part of a documentary called "The Nashville 9." Long story short the song was written for and during that documentary. However it turned out far better than expected and we decided to put it on the new album and make it the next single. It's about hope. About hanging on. It might take three days or 30 years but when redemption comes, what you were going through that seemed so hopeless will seem like a blink. The hope that comes from seeing that in hindsight gives us strength to endure the next seemingly hopeless circumstance. For me that hope is found in Jesus Christ.

5) Any funny, inspiring or interesting stories that you can tell us from your visits to radio stations in past or present days?

Wow. If I had a nickel. No, really, I somehow seem to forget or block out a lot of those moments. There's been a lot of humor; that's for sure. I will say that one of the most redeeming moments in my career is when I quit apologizing to mainstream radio for being a Christian. Not that I did so literally but for a long time I felt boxed in to not offend anyone with my faith. I was at VH1's satellite radio station when the DJ made reference to my faith as if it was a typo that he'd heard I was a Christian. And it was liberating to say, "no, I am" and just sit while he quickly remarked how cool that was. I could have said I worshipped concrete chocolate squares and he would have said "that's cool." It was a moment I realized that when we are passionate and unapologetic in our life, and for me, with my faith, that we earn the respect of those around us. They still might not agree with us, but who cares. It's about being faithful and I think I've been unfaithful for too many years. I'll never forget how it felt to be true.

6) What is your absolute favorite thing about your job?

Doing interviews. [Smile] Seriously, I love creating something that wasn't. Being attached to the body of the hand holding the pen that writes something that might participate in changing someone's outlook. Even their life. That's powerful and I'm humbled and at the same time fueled to be a part of something like that.

7) What is your favorite venue to play?

Clubs in musically intelligent cities where the fans aren't just there to meet you and get an autograph but rather to be a part of your art. To share in it. Or HUGE venues where you are part of what feels like a great party. I love festivals too. The energy never gets old. I don't have a fave city but if they have zero humidity and 66 degrees Fahrenheit with a slow wind, I'll like the weather.

8) Who is your biggest inspiration: personally, professionally and/or spiritually?

On a personal level, my husband Jeremy inspires me daily. He can motivate me in ways no one else can. He is a guide in almost every area of my life like a compass and I love him more because of that. Professionally, I am inspired by raw emotion. There are a lot of factors and artists, there and a lot of people who participate in that arena with me, so I can't limit it to just one. But I feed off of real life. And truth. And off drama. Spiritually, I am really inspired by a few authors and teachers but more often by my very best friend, Melis. She is one of the most passionate people I have ever known and is both innovative and progressive in her faith. I have yet to meet anyone as real, intelligent, passionate, inspiring and well spoken as she is. And she has grown the most of any person I know both spiritually and emotionally. I'm thankful for her life and her influence into mine as a Christian and a friend.

9) Do you have much time to listen to other artists' music? What are you listening to these days?

Yes. I wish I did it more though. It's very inspiring when I find an artist or a song I can't stop listening to. Lately I've been listening to a lot of Paramore (an old friend of mine), Caitlin Crosby (a new friend of mine) and Kings of Leon (a wanna be friend of mine). I had tickets to Kings tonight and had to sell them because of a show I'm doing. Oh well.

10) If you could have any job outside music, what would it be and why?

That person that pressure washes your house and driveway. I would LOVE that gig. It's so relaxing but still productive. Anything that is mindless but still necessary is relaxing to me. Cause I don't relax as well doing something that isn't getting anything done. I wanna be a master at time management one day. It's a struggle for me so I'm always interested in ways of conquering it.