In-Brace
By Katharine Branham 

http://www.sonicjive.com/writeitnow
www.katharinebranham.com

Glenn Brace is a self-motivated genius who started playing guitar at the age of nine and evolved into a professional performer as a guitar player, songwriter, photographer, and author of a book about his adventures in music. He has already written a number of songs nearing the 100 mark, and continues to sit face down with pen & paper to write more. Glenn has shared the stage with some cool cats and has plenty more shows to come. I don't think there is anything this man can't do. While fans ask for more, he continues to entertain with his passion in music.  

KB – What was your inspiration for wanting to pick up the guitar as a young boy?

GB – My Father was an Airline pilot and he was always "taking off' some where and he needed an over night bag to hold his maps and personal items so one day he ventured out and came home with a guitar instead of the overnight bag. I marveled at it as it rested next to his bed side table and with his instructions on "not to touch it" I simply had to.

It was only when he came home and started to pay and I said to him it would sound better if he played it this way and played the song he was learning that he said "YOU ARE HAVING LESSONS"!!!!!
 

KB – At what age did you realize that this is what you would do for a living?

GB –It was when I first heard the sound that electric guitar strings and amplifiers could make. All my hair stood on end and I was captivated. I knew then and there at about 13 years old that this was what I wanted to do ….for ever.
 

KB – You have emerged from guitar player, songwriter, photographer and Author. What do you want to do next?

GB -    Well….I thought about this the other day and I will continue to write and have started my second novel but part of me wants to learn to paint , be it with water colors , oils  or pencil and charcoal. It's a creative force in side me saying "do more" I guess.

KB – I know you are working on your third CD right now, Can you tell us the biggest motivation for the writing that went into these songs?

GB - I went to the USA in 2004 to play in some festivals there and from that trip came 2 of the songs to Coming Home, and a novel. I was inspired to write and with the independent success of the first two CD's I wanted to capture so many different styles of music in one CD. I never want to be pigeon holed, I would like to be known as some one who could adapt to any kind of style and flavor of music that was asked of me.  And having my own Label, Embraced Music, lets me do just that. If I like a certain song that I write and it really goes down well in the "live " environment I want to be able to record it and not have some record executive tell me the market "isn't right" or its not "in fashion"as it were. .  So as a direct result I tried a plethora of tones, wording, structure and tastes to come up with the Coming Home CD.

KB – You have played with a list of impressive singers. Is there anyone in particular you would love to add to that list?    

GB – WOW …….Where do I start.?  I have always dreamed about sitting in a boat shed with James Taylor and playing till the sun set and we couldn't see the neck of the guitars or our hands. I know that sounds a bit like a romantic whim but I have dreamed that. I would love to sit in with Bruce Cockburn, Cat Stevens, David Wilcox, Jackson Browne, David Lindley, J J Cale…….this list is endless. I will narrow it down and say that I would love to play with everyone that inspired me as I was learning to play, so I could say thank you in some small way for making me want to be better at my craft

KB – Do your children have the same desire to follow their father's example?

GB – Its funny you should ask that because just today I had both boys in the car with me and I had made a tape of all the songs I use to listen when I was a teenager and when a few of the songs came on they both asked "wow dad who is that"?, and the both began to twist and groove in the car. These songs came out years ago when I was a teenager, like Sweet Emotion and Walk This Way by Aerosmith, Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple and a list of others that I guess still have a universal language and no age barrier for the younger boys in my house. They both love music and how it makes them feel and react. It's great to watch young adults "go nuts' especially to "Walk This Way"
 

KB – I know you have sentimental attachments to your instruments, which one is

your favorite?

GB – I found a really old Stratocaster in an old music shop in Melbourne, Australia and bought with out knowing what year it was and the guy who sold it to me didn't know what it was either. He didn't have the record book on file so he was as much in the dark as I was. I knew I loved the color of it and bought right away. I replaced the neck and it was when I did this I found a serial number and low and behold it was a really old strat, 65 pre L.  What a find! That's my fave to play. I love my acoustic guitar that use all the time. Since I was a little kid I always wanted a Martin guitar and now I have one. It's a Martin DX-1, "Dixie". I have had it worked over and I just love it. Those are my faves!

KB – How many guitars do you own?

GB – 8 all up, with some very strange ones from different parts of the world including an Oud, a mandolin, and a one string one from Vietnam. I play that one loud on Sundays to wake the neighbors up. It's a killer. (grins)

KB – What is one of your fondest moments performing?    

GB – Let me see………(thinking)……probably the night I played in Art Garfunkles band was the biggest thrill and so very exciting at the same time.. There have been so many little morsels that touch me I cant remember all of them. But I have a room in my house that I keep the things from most gigs I do be it either a coaster,  poster and something that will remind me of what I have done and where I have been over the years Katharine. I just open the door and get flooded with memories. Maybe the best one is coming ……who can say?. (grinning)

If you would like more info on Glenn and his awesome music just go to www.glennbrace.com  . We look forward to your third CD with great anticipation. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, and I hope to see you in the US soon.

 http://www.sonicjive.com/writeitnow
www.katharinebranham.com