On Wednesday, October 12, 2011, Suite101 had the pleasure to speak with Grammy award winner and disco music icon Gloria Gaynor, where she talks about her music career, proudest accomplishments, as well as being involved with the Loukoumi children’s book series.
Gloria Gaynor Talks About her Music Career
On her proudest professional accomplishments, Ms. Gaynor states, “winning the Grammy award for Best Disco Recording for ‘I Will Survive.’”
Ms. Gaynor notes that the hardest aspect of her job as a musician is “the travel.”
On her alternate career choices, she says, “I felt that I was born a teacher. As I go through the years, people often come to me with the different things that they’ve learned from me, and it has confirmed that.”
On her dream collaboration choices in music, she notes that they would be “Jeffrey Osborne because he is awesome,” as well as Alicia Keys.
Regarding her future plans, Ms. Gaynor shares, “a couple of dance songs, and a contemporary Christian CD, as well as opening a Healing, Learning and Recreational Center for teenage parents.”
For hopefuls that wish to enter the music industry, Ms. Gaynor states, “first make sure that somebody else thinks that you have talent besides you and your mother. Also, make sure that this is your passion. It is important to be true to yourself. Finally, if you do go into show business, make sure that throughout your career you make choices and not sacrifices, sacrifices you may regret.”
The disco music queen notes that she stays connected with her fans via her social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as by doing meet and greets after her shows.
For Gloria Gaynor, success means “being able to have the things that make you happy, and keep you at peace, by doing whatever your passion is.”
“The most important you could do in life is to seek truth and surrender to it,” Ms. Gaynor concludes.
Gloria Talks About the “Loukoumi” Book Series
In addition to her musical endeavors, Ms. Gaynor has also played a vital role in Mr. Nick Katsoris’ Loukoumi children’s book series, where she voices the character of Fistiki and she has recorded two songs for its audio CDs. She was featured on this project along with Alexis Christoforous, Olympia Dukakis, Constantine Maroulis, Frank Dicopoulos, as well as John and Jennifer Aniston.
“It’s been great fun!” Gloria acknowledges. “It’s been very rewarding, because the children are learning viable lessons, not only for now, but for later on in life. They have been delightful to read to and interact with. Nick is a great guy, so I am very pleased to be a part of that. They all have great lessons for children and adults as well.”
On voicing the character of Fistiki, she remarks “at first I was thinking, how on earth will I sound like a nine year old boy, but it was a lot of fun.”
Regarding her original tune “Make Someone Smile,” Gloria says, “Nick asked me to do a song and I got together with my producer, and we came up with this tune. It’s very difficult to be in a down mood, when you are smiling. We decided that this would be the best thing to sing for children, because they are more likely to follow that instruction.”
Gloria Talks About Upcoming “Loukoumi’s Celebrity Cookbook”
Ms. Gaynor is one of over fifty celebrities that appear in Mr. Katsoris’ latest book, Loukoumi’s Celebrity Cookbook.
“I’m looking forward to that,” Gloria admits. “That was great remembering and looking back at the different things that my mother would make for us. That recipe brought back fond memories of watching movies on television with my brothers and my mother. I was pleased to be a part of that and share that recipe with children. I think it’s something that most children would enjoy!”
According to Mr. Nick Katsoris, he states, "I have had the honor to work with the legendary Gloria Gaynor on the Loukoumi book series. Years ago at a charity fundraiser I had met Gloria and she told me that she always wanted to do voiceover work. Then when we recorded the first Loukoumi book on CD, she not only graciously agreed to be the voice of Fistiki, but she has also recorded two beautiful original songs for the CDs titled "Believe" and "Make Someone Smile" so that we could make children from the Make A Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and children everywhere believe in themselves and to make them smile. Gloria is one of the most caring and giving people I know and I am blessed to call her my friend. And her recipe for Ritz Cracker sandwiches in the new Loukoumi's Celebrity Cookbook was a favorite of mine growing up as well!"
For more information on Gloria Gaynor, please visit her official website.
Source
- Telephone Communication with Gloria Gaynor. October 12, 2011.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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