IN MUSIC- Quinton's journey through Music- Sandy Demina Reporting...

Quinton Whitman's (Tallan White / Tim White in RL) has an unique style that has been shaped by a myriad of influences. From the traditional Appalachian mountain music and storytelling of his grandparents and artist such as Woddy Guthrie; to the bluegrass and country music that surrounded him growing up by those such as Doc Watson and Johnny Cash; to the folk and political songs of singer/songwriters like Muddy Waters, Pete Seager, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, David Bromberg and Crosby, Stills & Nash that inspired him in his teens; to the intricate, haunting picking styles of an assortment of artists.

Throw in 4 years performing country with the Flaherty Brothers Band, a 12 year jaunt with the jazz/fusion band Still Portrait, then 5 years with the rock band The Ride, and you begin to understand the depth that is evident in his singing, playing and writing. 

Born in the the mountain state old West Virginia, Tallan began playing guitar when he was 12 years old. Though he always continued to play guitar, for most years he was primarily known as a bass player - transitioning from rock to country to jazz back to rock.
His first love though was, and is, the guitar and he has returned to it full force when he discovered the virtual world of Second Life and began streaming in live shows as a solo performer. His gigs in Second Life stimulate your senses, awaken your mind, and enrich your soul...his deep melodious voice and awesome guitar (acoustic & electric) playing combine as he performs a mixture of music genres from rock, to ballads, to traditional folk songs.

The variety in his shows is a given including many of his originals, and covers including Donovan, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jerry Jeff Walker, Talking Heads, Cat Stevens, Lowell George, Utah Phillips, John Prine, Moody Blues, Lefty Frizzell, Waterboys, Led Zeppelin & more


Tallan's performances take the listener on a wild journey through music and life - traditional mountain songs or folk song may lead to stories about his family's life in the mountains .... rock and country songs often prompt topical social commentaries ... and throughout it all, he intersperses his shows with orginal songs that range from lush, instrumental portraits to songs whose verses can be poigant or humorous or sometimes biting depictions of modern life.

His last CD "No Rest for the Bleary" is Now Available here or on rhapsody or itunes!


INTERVIEW:
SANDY: where are you from?QUINTON:Well, I am originally from Southern West Virginia, Living in Mass now..


SANDY:How long have you been playing music?
QUINTON:Actually a lot of years, definitely! I started to play in bands when I was 14, been playing ever since so about 40 years ...


SANDY:What instruments do you play?
QUINTON:I play acoustic and electric guitar and electric basses ( fretted and unfretted ).


SANDY:How would you describe your style?QUINTON: I guess it is is a mashup of folk, blues, blue grass, mountain music with a tad of jazz and rock.


SANDY:You are a composer too,how long does it take to write a song or a piece of music?
QUINTON:Well most songs I write take between 30 minutes and a couple of hours. Sometimes the music has been around in my head for anywhere up to a year, when the words come then it only takes a little bit.

SANDY:How prolific are you?
QUINTON:This is definitely an interesting question. Up until a few years ago i was not real prolific, in the last year I have been writing about 2 or 3 songs a month, sometimes even more.


SANDY:What do you spend the most time on; music or lyrics? QUINTON:I guess the music is the most of my time. I play with ideas for ever before writing the lyrics.

SANDY:Which acts have most inspired you?QUINTON:Actually I'd have to say Led Zeppelin, Muddy Waters, Utah Phillips, Phil Ochs, Woody Guthrie among a long long list !

SANDY:Where do you get ideas for songs/pieces of music?QUINTON:From life situations, tv shows, news, long walks in the woods.

SANDY:Except for other musicians what else inspires you?
QUINTON: I get inspiration from nature and memories of people I have known in live.


SANDY:What has influenced you to get your to where you are today musically?
QUINTON:Well that is a hard one, after so many years it is like part of my soul. Learning and exploring new ideas and even old ones, push me on.


SANDY:Which song would you most like to have written?
QUINTON:Well I still want to write a song about my father, havent gotten that one together yet...


SANDY: How did you discover SL and what brought you inworld?
QUINTON:Well , being a computer person and sometime geek, I knew of SL when it began but I waited a few years before joining. I did not really have the time in the beginning years...I came into world at first explore and see for myself what it was like.I started to play my music very soon.

SANDY:Did you ever think to use your real name for what you usually do in Second Life?QUINTON:Not really. I do have it on my recordings available here.

SANDY:What you like to do here in Second Life when you are not playing?QUINTON:Well I like exploring interesting builds. And listening to music, like listening to new folks and old favorites.

SANDY:Do you like shopping or going to music concerts or art exhibits?QUINTON:I do concerts and art exhibits. Shopping not so much anymore, do sometimes but not often.

SANDY:Do you think SL can be a valid showcase for your RL works?QUINTON:Yes, this is the reason why I do my gigs here!

SANDY:In SL you have opened a live music venue:can you explain to us why did you start this virtual adventure and what are your aims, business or just fun?QUINTON:Yes, I opened with some friends Cuddlers Cove Oct of 2007, and mainly was for the fun of it. We run like a business, mainly because it would not have lasted if we hadnt.

SANDY:Do you use other kind of digital promotions?
QUINTON:Well I have a page on facebook, myspace ( but that one is a little behind ) 61,reverbnation and reputation label.


SANDY:Where do you see yourself a year from now:will Second Life still exist?QUINTON:Not sure where in a year, hopefully still playing my SL and RL gigs as well.
I do believe Sl will continue to exist.