Michaella Battipaglia, Los Angeles Bureau

There is no American singer like Debby Holiday.  She is one of the hardest to classify.

 She has a great voice, she is sexy, she owns a strong soul and a unique personality. That is Debby Holiday.

 She has her own style, but she reminds us when Tina Turner was not a commercial artist, and of  Nina Simone’s swing . She has something from Alberta Hunter .

 She is the moon. She is the sun. Just by herself.

 When she arrives  at the stage there is  great tension. It looks like an earthquake. The audience goes crazy  and Debby takes  control of the moment.  One of my friends told me about her: “Dead people can raise from their caskets with her songs.”

 She is a very special singer. Maybe she is  number one because she is not property of  a major label company . She does everything by herself.

 She is well known in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, Chicago, Boston and New York.

 Our ten questions to Debbie Holiday.

 1 - How's Debby Holiday?

 A - Debby is great !! Dealing with life's ups & downs like everyone else -- but, mostly - I'm feeling great !!

 2 - Everyone says you look like an angel. Are you an angel lost in our planet?

  A - Ah --- that's so sweet. I think we're all angels -- roaming around on this planet -- trying to find our way. That's why we all need each other to sometimes shine a light towards our path.

 3 - Some critics say you have  a glorious voice and body, but I believe  what make you feel so  great is  your soul.  What do  you think about your soul?

 A - Wow - my soul ... I think my soul is strong. I have overcome some fairly adverse circumstances in my life -- and I still like me - and I still like people. I believe in the goodness we all possess.

 4 - Did you vote for president in the  last election?

A - Yes -- my choice did NOT win.

 5 -  What do you think about your Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger ?

 A - I am not a fan - don't think he has followed through with what he said he would do - and his politics & beliefs are surely - not mine !!!

 6 - Are you an Animal lover?  Do you support PETA?

A - Love animals - I have 2 dogs - Prince & Nikki (yes, named after Prince, the musical genius and his love interest from the movie Purple Rain).  Honestly, I don't know enough about the details of PETA to say that I support -- I do however support animal rights.

 7 - What do you like  to watch on TV?

 A  - I'm a sucker for a few shows which are no longer on - like Sex & the City, Six Feet Under and Judging Amy (love Tyne Daly). Currently, I like Boston Legal & Grey's Anatomy.

8 - Movie ?  Actor?  Actress ?

A - Love stupid comedies like: Zoolander or anything Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Owen Wilson or Robin Williams does.  Fan of Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie (dig her strength), Angela Bassett, Jessica Lange & Terrence Howard. Also, a huge fan of the cast of the Del Shores play I'm in which re-opens this Arpil 29th called the "Trials & Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife." All the original cast including yours truly is back from the original 2003 run.  Yes, this is also a totally shameless plug because the work of Del & the cast (Beth Grant, Dale Dickey, Octavia Spencer, David Steen, and Joe Pat Ward) ... astounds me. This cast won the LA Weekly ensemble award in 2003 - and Del won just about every award possible for this play. Watching actors like this again -- everyday in rehearsal - is such a joy.  Not only are these actors talented beyond belief (just read the reviews) - but, just being a part of the Del Shores camp is an awesome experience. His plays like Sordid Lives & Southern Baptist Sissies speak for themselves.  If you'd like to order tix,  please visit: www.SeasonofShores.com. You will not regret it !!!

 9 - You said "I believe in people, no matter what the newspapers say."  Tell me more about .....

 A - Well, it just seems to me that the media in general spends the majority of the time reporting on the bad things people do & on current disasters. People do good things either alone, like simply achieving hard fought goals, or helping others -- but, we rarely see these stories featured. I think people are basically good -- a favorite quote from Dr. Wayne Dyer - "Hate is just love going in the wrong direction". People learn hate - I do not believe that it is inherent.  We just need more reminders of the goodness in others instead of following the current trend of "get yours before they do". We are all in this -- together ... period !!!

 10 - Everyone says if you want to be famous you have three steps : gay public, kids, Hollywood...... Gay people are crazy about you. How do kids like your songs?

 A - Well, actually -- kids seem to really like my stuff. Especially live. Most likely because I'm so ... excited & happy when I'm on stage. I think they just respond to the joy.

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