Page 145 - July ONLINE VERSION

Music, Memories, & Mystique If Blair could go on tour with anyone (living

or dead), the answer is literally written
on her wrist. Janis Joplin.
Interview with Blazin’ Blair

By Tammy Yosich “I listened to her, but it wasn't until after I was
really gigging, and people would say with your rasp
you should listen to Janis, and so I did,” says Blair.
Blair Pinson had a special relationship with her Blair has been blazing a musical trail. Like most everything in Blair's life, she goes all out
Grandfather, whom she called “Papa.” Papa was the Her love of music led her to perform in venues when it comes to things she loves. She wore out al-
one who provided Blair with her awesome stage such as The Dixie Theatre in Huntingdon, Ten- bum after album of Janis Joplin. Because of that, she
name, Blazin’ Blair, albeit well before her voice nessee. It was during a performance at The Dixie, now carries the legendary artist’s name written on
powered a microphone or dominated a stage. Papa that Blair’s mother, Meg, discovered her daughter’s her wrist and sports a Florentine bracelet tattoo; the
turned her on to music at a young age. powerful voice. Before that, Blair mostly played for same tattoo Joplin got in 1967. Blair’s Heart
her friends during high school functions and, after
graduation, began participating in Open Mic nights For Blair, she enjoys repeatedly listening to a lyric,
around Jackson. attempting to recapture the emotional response.
Even if one has not experienced the lyrical content, she is risking public acceptance. On the other edge,
When asked about her musical influences, Blair it is often the vocals, the music, and the words so she is risking how the content may be received by
rattled off her trifecta quickly and effortlessly: Meat- powerfully delivered that transports the listener em- those closest to her.
loaf, Billy Joel, and Queen, with a heavy emphasis pathetically to the place of joy or pain, living along-
on Meatloaf. Perhaps drawing on her love of the side the main character. Southern Comfort” is a raw riff about sexual trau-
“You know when we were all jacking music from the theatre and her adoration for music, it is clear why ma, innocence stolen, and the pain that lingers long
streaming service, Napster,” Blair laughs. Meatloaf is her top musical dish. Blair’s gift of delivering emotion is evident in “All after the assault on the body is over. "It was hard to
the Pretty Houses” or “Wash Me Clean.” It is vital to release “Southern Comfort,” but it needed to be. I'm
Music was always part of her family – her great Blair that when that one person looks up, they will proud that it is," says Blair. "Mother'' is another song
grandmother Ruth played the piano beautifully, know she means every word. “I give my all to my I wrote for reasons I won’t go into. I love that song,
Blair never had a chance to meet her. Blair’s great music. To an audience of one or one million. Other- but I was certainly nervous about releasing it. I was
aunt Martha, played the piano and young Blair wise, what is the point, “says Blair. nervous for my mom to hear me play that song. The
would hear tapes of her beautiful music. Blair was tune was around for a while, and she didn't know of
enrolled in piano lessons as a young child. She Blair comes from a long line of librarians and has it. She heard it for the first time as I was recording it
dutifully performed in several recitals. However, dived into books as passionately as her lyrics. A loy- live.”
Blair was a free spirit and wanted to play her heart’s While the "The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” was al fan of George Orwell, Blair read “Animal Farm”,
desire – the guitar. Papa provided her with lessons off limits to a young, impressionable Blair, she still followed by “1984.” “That book blew my mind,” says Blair is well versed on how to effectively express
when she was in seventh grade. From that point on secretly feasted on the musical forbidden fruit. Blair. In the middle of reading the prophetic novel, herself without projecting unnecessary shame. "I
Honestly, who can blame her, the “Hot Patootie” overwhelmed with the depiction of ‘hate speech” don't think music should ever be used as a weapon,"
scene alone with Meatloaf arriving at a party on a and the chaos of the fictional, yet a foreshadowing says Blair. "There are plenty of ways to express your
motorcycle is a tantalizing taste of just how talented tale of where we are headed in society, Blair wrote art without hurting anyone in the process."
the actor/musician is. "Ode to Winston." She played it for the first time
during an Open Mic Session at the Downtown
Tavern. Justin Wright was the only one who
“I give my all to my music. got it.
To an audience of one or one
million. Otherwise, what is When a song is written with as much
the point,” truth and personal reflection as those It was palpable how devastated Blair
says Blair. penned by Blair, vulnerability can be a would be if she woke up tomorrow and
Blair and Mom Meg double-edged sword. On one edge,
there was no Meatloaf or any music

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