Ch.L.: Would you please introduce yourself to the readers and tell us something about your history.

Answer : My name is Susan McCann. I have really have been singing all my life - I sang at school concerts when I was at school, when I was a teenager I sang with an Irish Traditional Ceili Band, then I sang with a small group in local clubs and pubs. In 1976 I started my own professional country band and I have been singing in many countries in the last 30 years.

Ch.L.: How was the last year for you? Where there any highlights?

Answer: The highlight for me last year was the birth of my first granchild SINEAD HEANEY 29th July 2005

Ch.L.: What did you do before you got into the music business?

Answer: I worked in a food supermarket, later I trained as a hairdresser and I had my own hairdressing saloon, but at all times I was singing, whether, professionally, semi-professionally or just for pleasure.

Ch.L.: Country Music has many new fans in Europe who may be learning about you for the first time. How would you describe the music you play to someone who's never seen or heard you before?

Answer: I would like to recall my first recording in Nashville. Porter Wagner produced the record but he sometimes had difficulty in understanding what I was saying and he frequently would ask me to sing what I was saying because he could understand me perfectly when I sang.............. I would the music I sing as my interpertations of some of great Country Songs. I don't try to imitate any particilar singer. Probable the fact that I am Irish gives my singing of Country songs a different flavour.

Ch.L.: What is your current CD and how is it doing?

Answer: MY HEROES is my current Double CD. It has only been out 2 weeks and I believe the sales are almost 20,000 at the moment

Ch.L.: How did you find the title for the CD and what inspired you?

Answer: I always wanted to do a tribute to my favoutite singers and songwriters who inspired me throughout my career and I was delighted to get the opputtunity to put this album together. The title was actually choosen by my record company

Ch.L.: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding songs for your albums?

Answer: No I have never had the knack of writing songs, maybe change a few lines in a song is the best I could do. I listen a lot to radio, particulary as I am driving my car

Ch.L.: Please tell us about the songs on your album.

Answer: The songs on my latest album could only be described as all time great Country Songs

Ch.L.: What is the different between your last and your current album?

Answer: My last album was called String of Diamonds and had 70 different Song titles. Many of them in medley format.It was not restricted to Country songs and included a number of Love songs. Irish Songs and Easy Listening Songs

Ch.L.: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?

Answer: Country Songs

Ch.L.: What's your favorite song among all the songs you've recorded and what's the story behind it?

Answer: Coat of Many Colours. The story of the song is so true to life for a lot of people and it certainly is for me.

Ch.L.: How much creative control do you have over your music?

Answer: Thankfully in the last 16 years I have more control over my recordings and live shows and I now have more freedom to express myself in how the song should be presented.

Ch.L.: There's a lot of work that goes into a Number One hit ... what does it take to make it?

Answer: It is almost impossible to predict what is going to be a Number One. I believe the best thing is to test the song out with a range of unsuspecting fans and guage their views rather than take the views of so called experts. I have found the experts to be wrong.

Ch.L.: How much do your songs influence your audience?

Answer : I believe it is important to sing the songs the audience want to hear. Frequently I would change my set list if I felt different songs would suit the audience better

Ch.L.: The internet is playing a bigger and bigger part in the world of music. Has the internet hurt or helped you and how would you like to see it evolve?

Answer: I don't think the internet has hurt me, in fact since I got my new web site www.susanmccann.com up and running I have had enquiries from many countries

Ch.L.: Who do you look up to musically and where do your musical roots come from?

Answer: I think Dolly Parton is the greatest. My father played the 2 row accordion and my mother sang a little.

Ch.L.: What do you think about today's Country Music versus its roots and where do you see it going in the future?

Answer: Country Music will never die. I believe the trend towards alternative Country will go full circle and we will soon be on our way back to the more traditional Country

Ch.L.: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between "traditional" and "new" country music?

Answer: I think the modern songs have got tainted by the modern world and are moving into the realms of popular music.

Ch.L.: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

Answer: I belief recording artists ( including myself) have had a poor deal in the past and I can't see how the music industry have done much to rectify this situation.

Ch.L.: Are you doing doing anything to take country music beyond it’s current borders or are you happy where it is?

Answer: Hopefully my current album will jog some peoples memories. I have had some air play on pop radio shows - maybe the younger listeners will like these songs, possilbe they never heard them before !

Ch.L.: Has your journey to success been a hard or an easy road?

Answer: It has been a hard road. I did not get anything easy. Hard work all the way, but I have to say I enjoyed it.

Ch.L.: What does it take to be a Country Star?

Answer: A difficult question. Possible an ambition coupled with ability and most of all luck

Ch.L.: What's unique about you that differentiates you from other artists?

Answer: I have a strong voice. When I sing a ballad - you will hear me

Ch.L.: What's the best thing about being a star and what's the hardest thing?

Answer: Meeting people from all walks of life . Missing out on the social occasions that everybody else takes for granted

Ch.L.: What has been your greatest challenge in music business?

Answer: Dealing with mistakes I made in the past in relation to recording contracts

Ch.L.: What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights and achievements which you're proud of?

Answer: Winning the Gold Star Award in Holland 1982

Ch.L.: Can your European fans look forward to seeing you in concert in the future?

Answer: Hopefully - I don't have any committments in Europe at this point in time but hopefully with the success of my new CD I will be able to visit Germany or Holland once again.

Ch.L.: What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?

Answer: I will be singing all the most popular Country songs that I have recorded

Ch.L.: Do fans mob you everywhere you go or do they allow you a private life?

Answer: Most fans are understanding - I can usually deal myself with anybody who gets out of line !

Ch.L.: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?

Answer: Yes www.susanmccann.com 

Ch.L.: Tell us about your fan club and how people can join it.

Answer: My fan Club collapsed - It got too big and we just couldn't keep up with the paper work. I do get a lot of e-mails from fans, which I answer.

Ch.L.: What are your plans for the future?

Answer: Keep on singing - not just as much as I have done in the past. I still love singing, but I hate the travelling

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )