Hello and welcome back! Today we have a very special guest, Calayla Cantor, famous Folksinger/Zitar player…

Welcome, Calayla! 

Calayla Cantor: Hello Dirty Foot, and Hello to your great audience. I am happy to be here!

DFB: And we are definitely pleased to have you here as well. Now, I know you’re a busy performer, and I am so grateful you made time to sit down with me.

I have prepared 15 questions for you today, shall we begin?

CC: Fire away!

DFB: Okay, first question… I think you’ll find this one fairly easy, How long have you been singing?

CC: Since 1987

DFB: Wow, okay… 2nd question, on a scale of 1-10, how well do you think you sing?

CC: Do I think I sing? How well? Hmm… I’d really have to say a solid 8.

DFB: Really? Alright, I like your confidence. Humble and not too arrogant. Question 3, Do you write your own songs?

CC: Yes, every one of them. I enjoy expressing myself through creative word use.

DFB: and what genre is it that you mostly sing? I’m sorry, that was question #4…

CC: Well, I play the Zitar, which is a guitar-type instrument played in India. And I sing folk-type songs… so, I don’t know, does that classify as a genre?

DFB: *Laughs* I don’t know, maybe! Okay, question 5, If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?

CC: Am I still playing the Zitar?

DFB: No.

CC: Hmm. I don’t know… Maybe I’d spend more time traveling, and advocating for a cleaner environment, and encouraging more people to spend time outdoors. More than I already do, that is!

DFB: Okay, let’s get to the more interesting questions…

CC: Uh oh.

DFB: No, they’re nothing bad… well, maybe… Question #6, what’s the most embarrassing song you have on your MP3 player/IPOD, right now?

CC: Well, I’m not sure if it’s embarrassing or not, but it is a funny song I try to listen to every Friday morning. Kind of a throw back to when I lived in Las Vegas… The Toast Song, by Bob & Tom.

DFB: Oh my gosh, really? I love that song!

CC: Yeah, it’s great. It really makes me smile. They used to play it every Friday morning along with some other fun songs…

DFB: Yeah, I remember. Perfect. And no, I don’t think it’s embarrassing at all. Moving on… Question #7, where is the strangest place you have ever performed?

CC: That would have to be in a broken-down elevator.

DFB: I’m sure there’s a story behind that…?

CC: Oh yes. So I once did an impromptu performance in an elevator that got stuck when the power went out. The backup emergency lights were on, but that didn’t help the toddler and his mom, who were both petrified with fear. So I began singing to them. In fact, I sang until the power came on again, about an hour and a half later.

DFB: Really? What did you sing?

CC: Is that an official question 8?

DFB: Um, no… but I’m so curious and I’m sure my readers are too… please?

CC: Okay, you twisted my petals! I started out with a couple of my own songs, you know, like, “Papers Rustling in the Wind,” and “Warm Evening Breezes.” But then as they began to relax, and the kiddo was falling asleep, I switched to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and just sang it en-loop. It’s something I’d do all the time for my nieces and nephews to get them to sleep when they were little.

DFB: That’s a great story! Question #8… What is the craziest gift you’ve received from a fan?

CC: A super-tiny pencil. It was actually a standard-sized pencil, at least I’m assuming it was. But it had been sharpened down to the metal of the eraser end.

DFB: Um… that is a bit weird… on to question #9 since I don’t have a clever response to that! What is your greatest indulgence?

CC: Well balanced, liquid fertilizer and well-drained soil. I like and need to look and feel my best since I have such a long performing season.

DFB: True. You being a Petunia and all, you perform Spring to Frost, right?

CC: Question # 10?

DFB: NO… nevermind! Question 10, Do you have a favorite place to be or visit?

CC: Yes! Anywhere sunny! And by the way, yes. Since I’m a Petunia, I perform non-stop from Spring to Frost.

DFB: Thank you.

CC: No problem. What’s question 11?

DFB: What book or books are on your shelves at home, waiting to be read?

CC: You’re probably going to think I’m a slacker, but “Harry Potter & the Cursed Child.”

DFB: JK Rowling’s book? You haven’t read it yet?

CC: No. Have you?

DFB: No. Not yet. I’ve been incredibly busy with work.

CC: Me too. When you do get a chance to read it, maybe you can call me back here and we can discuss it?

DFB: That would be awesome! I’d love to. Alright, last four. Question 12, What upsets you, what makes you mad?

CC: I HATE Bullying. I was bullied as a kid and teased for my glasses and buck teeth. I’ve of course had braces since then, but I still wear glasses. I absolutely HATE Bullying. Did you know next month is National Bullying Awareness Month?

DFB: Yes, I did. And I see you already are wearing your Awareness Ribbon.

CC: Yes, thank you for noticing. It really is important to me. I feel we need to all work together to fix both ends of the spectrum. Help the victims AND the bullies.

DFB: I agree. *sigh* This is getting good, and we’re almost to the end. Question 13, What is one thing folks would be surprised to find out about you?

CC: You know, it never ceases to amaze me. I’m constantly getting emails, or letters asking me what kind of shoes I like, etc…BUT,

DFB: …you have no feet!

CC: I have NO FEET! I do have roots that I like to keep warm and somewhere in between moist and slightly damp, but definitely no FEET. Hence, I don’t wear shoes.

DFB: Alright, hopefully, some of your fans paid attention to that! Last two, Question 14, Are you a hugger, or a non-hugger? and why?

CC: I am totally a hugger! Whenever I can, I’m hugging people. Fans and family alike! I love the closeness and instant warmth you get from a hug, and I like to share that feeling with others!

DFB: Me too! So, what’s next? Question 15 is really just we’re curious, what’s next on your agenda, what are you working on right now?

CC: I was thinking about working on another album, or perhaps going on tour soon. I’m kind of in limbo as far as plans go, for right now since I’ve just wrapped up a few projects for this year.

DFB: Yes, you have been busy! Well, Calayla, I’d like to thank you again for stopping by. I look forward to hearing your new album.

CC: Yes, and I look forward to discussing the latest HP book, as well as seeing your latest, Adventure #3! Any idea how soon you’ll be releasing it?

DFB: I’m putting the finishing touches on now. Shouldn’t be too much longer, I hope!

CC: Great, good deal! Talk to you soon!

DFB: Yes, you take care!

Well, that was fun! And you heard it here… not too much longer and I’ll be releasing Adventure #3 Starring Spotted Bag, “That Terribly Ugly Feeling.”

Uh oh! I wonder what’s going to happen?

Until next time!