Amanda Page Cornett
Interview conducted on October 20, 2022
By Dan Locke
Amanda Page Cornett instantly found a passion for singing, writing, and performing before the age of 9. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a mid-size city responsible for musicians, such as The Marshall Tucker Band and Pinky Anderson, she performed with many church, school, and community groups throughout her youth. After playing her first original song at the age of 13, Cornett knew that she had found her calling.
You are from Spartanburg South Carolina. What was your up bring like?
I feel like my up bringing was fairly normal…Spartanburg is a mid size city with a family feel. There are a lot of musical influences from the area, as well. I also spent a few years in Winter Springs, FL, then moved back to Spartanburg. I am blessed to have two hard working parents, who’ve been together 51 years now! They instilled in me a strong work ethic, as well as always encouraging me to follow my dreams. They always added, “if it’s something you really want, you will have to work hard for it.”
How did you discover music?
Music has just always existed in my life! I joke I probably started singing before I could talk. I started “making up” songs when I was pretty young, then started writing them down at nine years old. My discovery and appreciation of different styles is on-going…and hopefully always will be!
How did you start to write music?
At nine, I started writing my songs down in notebooks & recording the melodies on cassettes. I started playing piano when I was 5 or 6, so that’s when I started learning to read music.
What was your first guitar? Do you still have it?
My first guitar was a starter Fender dreadnought. I do still have it, though it’s semi-retired! It is proof that the cost of an instrument isn’t as important as how well it is made!
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
I have an electric Fender Squire that has been customized…she’s what I call “Elvis pink”.
I also have a Martin 000-rs1 acoustic electric guitar. The Martin 000 body is not as deep as a dreadnought, which is way better on my hands and shoulders!
How did you start the band?
My band and I started playing together in 2010. Randall Scott Peterson (lead guitar), Shawn Peterson (drums) and Sherry Peterson-Tenille (bass) and I were put together for an event thrown by Artists On The Edge. The organization didn’t pan out very long, but thankfully the band and I stuck together! For a few years now, Shawn Killen has been playing drums while Shawn Peterson pursues some other interests.
How did the band gets its name?
Originally, the sibling trio went by The Petersons. They’ve done a few projects as Vain Therapy, as well. When coming up with a band name, we wanted it to flow well with my name, but also represent my music. Almost Angels is fitting…we’re all close to being angels…. But still a lil rough around the edges. 🙂
You started performing at the age of 9. What was your first performance at like?
I was dancing, singing and performing long before 9 years old with church, school, and community groups. I believe I was 13 when I performed my first original song. It was at Lake Junaluska. The feeling of performing something I created was truly awe inspiring. That was when I know music was the path I was meant to take.
Describe your music.
I call my music Southern Rock n Soul! It’s a mixture of southern rock, blues, country, and soul music! I like to think it’s just good music, regardless of the genre. I sometimes describe it as “somewhere between the Judds and Janis Joplin”, which is where the first song and title of the album came from, “Front Porch Rebel”.
How was it to have Artimus Pyle (Lynryd Skynryd) as a guest?
Oh my goodness! It was amazing having Artimus play drums with the Almost Angels Band! The performance was awesome, but even more memorable is the five hour rehearsal we had the day before. We got to hear Arti’s stories from his life in music, which was pretty incredible! I’m thankful to call him a friend!
Tim Lawyer, former bass player for the Marshall Tucker band filled in for a show once, too. The band and I joke “be careful missing a show…never know who I’m going to have fill in!” Haha
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP ?
Yes, absolutely. I was with ASCAP for a long time, and still have some publishing with them. I’m a SESAC writer and have a SESAC publishing company, now, as well! Having songs registered and reporting playing out is very important, if you want to make a living with music!!!
What makes a good songwriter?
There are lots of good songwriters. To be a great songwriter, I believe you have to hone your skills, writing with others, writing when you don’t feel like it, etc etc etc. One of the biggest aspects of writing great songs is being able to objectively look at them and, if needed, edit them to make them stronger!
Why did you ever do anything with the song “Soldiers Girl”
Yes! It’s on the single release list and we hope to make a cool video, with the help of US veterans and active duty military personal very soon! My hope is that military families can relate to the words Robert Burgeis and I wrote!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Hmm that would take some digging into my archives. I may have recorded it on a handheld recorder, but I def didn’t record it in the studio. Every now and then, I look back at those songs I wrote as a kid. It’s surprising, but sometimes I find little idea nuggets that can be reused!
How was it to work with Songwriting Camp For Girls & Women with Kirsti Manna 0 Kirsti Manna’s songwriting camp empowers women and girls to find their creative voice.
Working with Kirsti Manna’s Songwriter Girl Camp was a great experience! The camp teaches so much more than how to hone your songwriting skills, which is of course part of it. The camp also teaches the business behind songwriting, how to co write, publish your songs, protect your intellectual property, etc. It’s an invaluable tool! Kelsea Ballerini attended one of our camps, and it’s so great seeing her rise as an amazing artist and songwriter! I also met some amazing co writers, music business mentors, and friends while working with the camp. So, I was able to mentor and learn from others!
What is the process of writing your music?
I keep a list on my laptop and my phone, called “Idea Bank”. Anytime I think of it hear a line or title that sparks something, it gets written down. In Nashville, we do a lot of co writing, so we set an appointment for a few hours, get together and collaborate. Sometimes, we start with lyric ideas; other times melodies. I’m a much stronger lyricist than melody writer, so I love writing with really strong melody people!
As silly at it sounds, here’s how I describe co writing: “We get together in a room, make stuff up, then make it sound good!” Haha
You just released the video for “Someone to Miss Me”. Tell me about the making of the video?
I had the cool opportunity to work with a hot young director, Tahani Khawaji, who was finishing film school at Lipscomb University. She resonated with the song, so we got together and put together some ideas, which she organized and planned out. It was a lot of fun…especially pretending to play the grand piano. Bahaha.
How was it to have Tahani Khawaji as a director for the video?
Great! I love working with new directors, photographers, etc. It’s fun to see their vision come to fruition!
Tell me about the album?
The Front Porch Rebel album is truly a lifelong dream come true! Randy (guitar) & I spent 6 months on pre production, which is kinda the old school way of making an album. We worked on the budget, whittled down our song selection from 32 songs to 16, and ended up keeping 15! My band is truly a part of my sound, so we practiced and rehearsed a bunch before going into The NuttHouse Recording Studio in Sheffield, AL (Muscle Shoals area). The band played on 14 of the 15 songs. We also had legendary musician Spooner Oldham, Mark Narmore, and Dave Isaacs on much of the album! Then, we added insanely amazing musicians on overdubs! It was a truly magical week in the studio. The post recording/production/ business/artwork/ copyright work wasn’t as much fun, but it was all worth it!
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
It’s not going anywhere, so I embrace it, while encouraging listeners to buy downloads, merch, etc from the artists they like!
Spotify Officially Launches Audiobooks For U.S. Users. What do you think how can streaming services her musicians better?
Unfortunately, the music biz fought the digital age so hard that the digital people had the upper hand when it came to negotiating. I believe, as creators, we should always fight to be compensated for our endeavors. I’m not sure how to fix it, but I do believe we need to work towards a more win win situation.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I’m sure there are lots of non musical people who don’t know the significance as a sharp sign, but it’s a basic element of music, so I feel that music community has not forgotten!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both. Digital makes it so much easier to get music out to the world! Vinyl is cool, too!
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
“Won’t Take Less Than Your Love” by Tanya Tucker, Paul Davis, and Paul Overstreet. I’ve always loved the song, and I’ve been encouraging a friend to learn it so we can perform it out together! My mom has always said the mother/son verse reminds her of my Dad and his mom. So, that’s pretty special!
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
No. Live music will survive the test of time. Covid definitely changed a lot, but I don’t think you can kill live music!
Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?
The best thing about that pandemic was the surge in online concerts! It gave many of us to reach new fans all over the world, which is pretty cool!
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Same way I stay healthy all the time…exercise, eat well, & be cautious, but not fearful. My faith in God is a big factor!
Are you still doing your boxing workout?
I do still kickbox as part of my fitness routines. I do a little bit of this and a little bit of that to keep things interesting. Boxing is a great way to release stress and clear the mind!
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I love creating. I build small furniture, carve wooden figures, make feather earrings, and more. I just like creatling.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Being present, going online concerts, social media, and putting out more and more content is so important to keep fans!
Pay to play has been a thing since the 1950s. It was called Payola. It was the illegal practice of paying a commercial raido stations to play a song. This has been stopped. But in the
during the same time music venues took it to the next level. Many venuse started to ask bands to pay for a spot on a bill and this is still going today with large tours having a unknown band paying money to open up for the tour in exchange for the band to get a bigger audience for their music. Is pay to play still a thing?
Unfortunately, it is. There are multiple companies who target smaller/ indie artists. I’m not a fan of it, but there are times when you have to do what ya have to do to build your fan base. It’s a business, like and unlike many others.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That sounds super cool…I haven’t done one of those!
Tell me about your IG Takeover?
I’ve done a few IG takeovers. It makes a great opportunity to share music, while being yourself & I love the ability to interact with fans live!
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
Acting, wood working, experiencing life…luckily I can do those while pursuing music.
What is your happy place?
The beach. Sand, sun, warm breeze, warm salt water…the food, the people, the vibes, etc.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million. In the past year a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million) , Bob Dylan (over $400 Million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Neil Young song 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and income interest in his 1,180-song catalogue to Hipnosis Songs Fund limited. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative then the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
IT should be noted, that there is a huge differences between royalties for songwriting and performance. So if you made a deal to seel off your back catalog you can setup it so you can still perform your own songs. And that anything thing new you create you would still be yours.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
Who knows! I assume the business, the world, and my life will change a lot before having to make that kinda decision!
What is your feeling about TikTok? With Sony Music and Warner Music strucking an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I know I should, but I haven’t been able to get into TikTok…shame on me! So, I can’t really give an informed answer!
Also, TikTok has launching TikTok Radio (ch. 4), a full-time SiriusXM music channel. The station will be available is vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM App, desktop, and all connected devices.
The station will be part of a new TikTok collaboration with SiriusXM and its subsidiary, Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent. Do you think this platform could became a force in the future of streaming music?
Absolutely! That is something I will be looking into immediately!
They say create content content content. How does pre-save help with content.
Marketing and PR are such a huge part of the business! There’s a lot to be said about having tools to help promote music, videos, and new content! It’s a never ending process, because life is ever changing!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
My mission in music is “to create and execute authentic musical experiences people can deeply feel.” If I’m doing that, I’m successful! Being a long lasting musician really takes humility, hard work, and realizing it’s not about me, but about those who hear and hopefully are affected in some way by the music we create!
Also, buy music and merch from the artists you love! Imagine if there were no music, TV, movies, entertainment to help us through the pandemic and life…and then be thankful by supporting the creators! 🙂
Thank you!!!!!!
