VONDA SHEPARD

Having drive is a big part of success, along with integrity. You need to have a clear vision of what you want and take the steps to achieve it, even if that sometimes means playing gigs in tiny clubs.

For me, if 'Maryland' became half of what 'Searchin' My Soul' became, as far as radio play goes, I would be thrilled.

Ally McBeal walks down the streets crying, looking for the right man. I don't do that.

I don't have much time for TV shows, but if I did, I'd watch 'Seinfeld' reruns.

My mom always wanted to go to Maryland to live there. Baltimore, actually. She had a best friend who lived there. She kept saying that she was going to move there and make that her home, but she only made it halfway across the country and got stuck in Iowa.

Success was overnight, but it was a very long night.

I spend a lot of time working in the studio as a producer, not just a singer.

I was born singing. My father tells this story about when I was 3 weeks old, how I would rock in the crib and sing in the crib all night long. My crib would roll across the floor in the middle of the night. Finally, my father nailed its legs to the floor.

The biggest similarity between me and my character is that we've both played clubs for 20 years. In real life, the clubs aren't quite as controlled - and my hair isn't quite as in place as it is on 'Ally McBeal.'

I had a very artistic bohemian childhood. My father was an actor and a mime.

I had a hard-core cult following of at least 12.

I just kept making records, touring in Europe a lot, and then I had a baby in 2006, so my life has been very, very much family-orientated.

Playing clubs is the ultimate - you see the faces; you hear the 'clicking' glasses - I love all that atmosphere and seeing people's mouths singing the words to the songs.

I've been through the entire gamut of the music industry - I've been playing in clubs since I was 14, and I've been on Warner Bros, on Sony - I've had lots of successes and some serious times of struggle.

I do a lot of touring, yes, and I have my whole life ever since I was 19 years old, when I used to tour with Al Jarreau, Rickie Lee Jones, and Jackson Browne as a side musician.

I seem to be drawn to the really romantic songs.

My stint with 'Ally McBeal' is something I never planned nor expected.

There was a singer-songwriter who slept on our couch for a year when I was about 7 or 8. She used to sing these songs for us, and I loved it. It was magical to watch her.

The last thing I wanted was a big paycheck but no inspiration or support.

Although I don't come from a musical background, I was given piano lessons along with my sisters, but I wasn't what you would call a good student. I tended to write songs rather than do scales.

My nature is... well... I'm a searcher by nature. I'm constantly searching for something; that's why I have a song called 'Looking for Something.' How do I do it? I read a lot of spiritual books; I meditate.

I can't really stop doing the music because it really feeds me.

We've been waiting for a format like triple-A where you can hear Crowded House, Joni Mitchell and R.E.M.

The two together are a really great combo: the family life and then being able to go play some shows and write.

I would advise anyone starting out as a singer/songwriter to play live as much possible. You never know who might be in the audience.