CW: When I first listened to your CD, I think initially the song that hit home for me was "Instead". Can you tell me a little more about your inspiration for writing that?

LM: "Instead" is basically about the dreamer and the pessimist. Specifically about myself and my husband - he's very grounded and practical. I'm off in my own world. We sometimes keep each other perfectly balanced.

CW: How has being a Mother of four affected your career? Your goals as a musician?

LM: I didn't have goals to be a musician before I had kids. I didn't leave my house with my songs until my 3rd son was two. I always used music as a creative outlet - my passion. But never intended on pursuing a career in music. After I had the boys I finally figured that you only live once - I should give it a try. I'm determined to be regret free when I'm older. I don't want to look back and say "I wish". I also want my kids to inherit the attitude that anything is possible. For the dreamers and the pessimists. Now that my career has become such a big part of all of our lives my goals are to write great songs and make great recordings. I just want to get better and better. I don't want to worry about my age or my family in respect to the music - I just want to worry about the music.

CW: The New England music scene seems to have many opportunities for singer/songwriters. Has this been your experience? Do you think Nashville is a better place to be?

LM: My experience here has been amazing. There is truly a nurturing environment here for singer/songwriters. I can't compare it with anything else because I've never lived anywhere else. I have not had the pleasure of playing Nashville yet. I don't know the answer to your question - but I can't imagine a better place for me to be than here.

CW: I noticed that there is a vain that runs through most of the songs on "Pieces of Me". You refer to ethereal places and things such as angels and dreams. Is this subject matter that seems to find it's way into your writing unconsciously?

LM: I am a dreamer. I'm not an angel - but when I was little I spent a lot of time thinking about them. I think it all stems from the death of my mother when I was 6. Someone told me she was an angel now and that image stuck with me. I don't know how else a kid could fathom such a thing. Anyway, I believed it. I think "unconsciously" is a good way to put it. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her. I think that experience somehow creeps it's way into everything I do.

CW: In reading your bio, I noticed that you've shared the stage with a very impressive list of performers. What was it like meeting and interacting with these musicians?

LM: Meeting and watching great musicians is what inspires me most these days. I've been writing songs since I was 12 or 13. But it wasn't until I got out there and started going to shows all the time that I started writing a lot. Great songwriters and interpreters of those songs send chills down my back. A great four minute song can do for you what a 2 hour movie or 400 page novel does.

CW: Tell me more about the song "Pink Sweater".

LM: "Pink Sweater" is an angry song. Some songs are sad, some are uplifting - this ones just plain angry. I was talking to my 12 year old about the murder of James Byrd, Jr. - he had heard about it in school. It's a hard thing to describe to a 12 year old. In a way I found myself trying to justify it. Then I realized what I was doing was crazy. I'm not trying to advocate the death-penalty. The song is an exaggeration of hate. Of one persons hate for another because of their sins Vs. one persons hate of another because of the color of their skin.

CW: Do you have any plans to tour this summer or in 2003?

LM: In general I'll be touring more. We've figured out this balancing act pretty well. And I have the good fortune of having an amazing management team and supportive family. I'm left to concentrate on the music. That's pretty fortunate. At this point I plan on getting out there more and more. Hopefully we'll be touring overseas a bit next year.

Check out Lori's web site for more information: www.lorimckenna.com

By Jacqueline Evans

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