I chatted with Debby Boone about her illustrious career and her new film “Six Days In Evergreen”
What was it like growing up in a musical family?
It was great. My parents mission was to keep our childhoods as normal as possible. My dad obviously had a singing career and my moms father was a Country Western Gospel singer; so they taught us how to sing pretty early on. How to sing in harmony, stuff like that. You can’t really sing all the time and life be that bad ::laughs::
What was it like going on tour with your father when you were a kid?
That was fantastic. For me, I’m not a well known academic. I did alright in challenging private girl schools. So to have a chance to fly around the world, get on stage, and perform..it was hard work. We prepared a lot and it helped me build a strong work ethic.
How did you go solo?
I had some opportunities before I actually did, but I was still performing as The Pat Boone family and recording as The Boone Sisters. I didn’t feel it was fair for me to branch out while still doing our thing together. It was JUST at the right time. My two older sisters were getting married; the younger of the two was starting a family, and we decided to call it quits. It was right around then when a cassette tape with a demo recording of “You Light Up My Life” showed up on my door step and I was asked to fly out to New York to record vocals for it. The rest is history.
The song was number 1 for ten weeks. That’s MASSIVE. Did you think that demo would turn into THAT?
No, not at all. All I thought about it was that I had an opportunity to go to New York my first solo record in a big recording studio. It was going to be the start of my career climb. I don’t think anyone was more shocked than I was when it started charting and then was number one all those weeks.
It’s still beloved.
I’m proud to be associated with it. People always tell me what the song means to them; it’s their wedding song or they sang it to their child as a newborn. Now I get to be a part of people’s musical history.
After that, you went on to win the Best New Artist Grammy. What was going through your mind when they called your name?
I was in complete shock. I had some heavy competition. The song was up for Record of The Year and all the professionals around me said it was a shoo in. It didn’t win. But I was shocked when they called my name for Best New Artist. I knew a lot of the people in the category; Shaun Cassidy being one of them. I felt like I had a lot to live up to if the industry was going to name me Best New Artist.
You won a Grammy for Inspirational Song and then another in a Gospel category as well..
I did! One was for a Gospel duet with Phil Driscoll and the other one..I can’t recall at the moment if it was for an album or a song ::laughs:: But I have three!
Wear them proud!
You’ve done a lot of musical theater as well. “The Sound Of Music”, “The King and I”…and “Grease.” What was it like playing Rizzo?
That particular revival of “Grease” was directed by a friend of mine, Jeff Calhoun. Jeff was in the musical “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” with me years prior and he called me up to do this. They had celebrities come in and out of the production about every three months. I thought he wanted me for Sandy because of course, that’s how everyone sees me. Sandy is a Soprano range and I’m an Alto. But he actually wanted me for Rizzo the whole time. It was challenging but I LOVED doing it. My dad HATED my role ::laughs:: I was almost forty and back in high school. It was just a riot ::laughs::
What was your favorite number from that show?
For me? “Sandra Dee” was my favorite. I got to jump around and sing with the girls and pretend to smoke. And I mean PRETENDING, as I was never one to smoke. In the first cast rehearsal, I lit the cigarette from the wrong end. I NEVER lived that one down ::laughs::
You’re costarring in a new film called “Six Days in Evergreen.” What is the film about and who do you play?
I play the mother of the male lead. The story centers around a pop star who comes home who is lost and searching for herself. Her life is an upside down spiral. It has a really great message and the actors who they cast is just great! Dawn Olivieri, who people may recognize from “Yellowstone” plays the pop star lead. Penelope Ann Miller is in this and she brought so much to the role. She was so lovely behind the scenes. It’s not always that way when you meet someone like that who is humble and ready to work.
What is your favorite part of being on the road?
Honestly? The hotel rooms. ::both laugh:: I love getting to a hotel room, scoping it all out, knowing I can order room service. Of COURSE I love performing, meeting everyone after the show and communicating with an audience through music. That’s the real answer…but I REALLY love hotel rooms ::laugh::
Don’t you love those HUGE king sized pillows and you can just make forts with them on the bed?
YES! Ugh. Hotels with nice linens..what could be better than that?
Are you excited about your upcoming show in Annapolis?
I am! It’s been a few months since I’ve been out there. I’ve been singing everyday. I’ve played Rams Head before and I love the intimacy of the venue. I have three FANTASTIC musicians doing these shows with me. I think folks will be enamored by the caliber of musicians that I’ll be performing with.
Debby headlines Rams Head Annapolis Saturday, September 21st! Buy tix