Dancing Mattress Productions: Q&A: Showman Movin Melvin Brown

Movin Melvin Brown is a Texas native who's performed around the world: arts festivals in Avignon, Sydney, Edmonton, Adelaide, Tokyo and Nice, casino stints in Las Vegas and Australia, on TV in Australia and numerous encores at the audience's request at the Edinburgh Festival Revue covered by the BBC.

His performances mix song and dance, in the style of the great entertainers Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire.

He's interviewed here with an assist from Ariel Publicity.

Where are you from? How does living there affect your songwriting? Austin, Texas; it is an open town willing to listen to what you have and ready to give your music a chance.

How long have you been playing and what was your first instrument? I have been entertaining since my first day of kindergarten, when the teacher asked if anyone can dance. I thought that everybody danced (what kind of question?). Anyway, I danced; and everyone clapped and yelled; I was now an entertainer.

My instruments are my voice and my body (dancing).

What's the greatest thing that's ever been said about your music? "Movin' Melvin makes magic with his music."

How much has heartbreak contributed to your songwriting? Love is the reason of life; heartbreak helps you to grow to understand that love more, and my songs are bookmarks, marking everyplace where love has been.

What are your main musical influences? Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Michael Jackson.

What's the last album you bought that you're enjoying? Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits.

Have you seen any great live shows lately? I tour a lot in Europe, and I don't have a chance to see a lot of shows except on TV.

What's the most personal song you've ever written and what was it based on? "If You Love Me Let Me Know;" it was based around a marriage break-up situation.

What was the first album you ever bought? Otis Redding.

First concert you ever attended? James Brown.

What's your favorite artist and album? Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company.

If you could create your own fantasy music festival, who would the top six headliners be? Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson, Randy Crawford, Minnie Ripperton, Otis Redding.

What is your favorite movie? Blazing Saddles.

M&M's plain or peanut? Peanut -- the nuts can help to justify the candy.

You have $5 to spend on dinner. What are you eating? A great salad or avocado shake.

What do you think is the most alarming media story in the last few months? The people of Zimbabwe dying from malaria: one family of five children went from happy and running to death overnight.

Do you support any specific charities, and how do you give back as an artist? I have two projects that I sponsor and support -- the Change This World Project, a project aimed at helping the homeless and bringing the children and the elderly together to benefit each other, and the "I Love You" Day Project, which aims to bring the world together to say and feel "I love you" in a nonprofit concert each year in a different country.

(Note: A portion of all sales from his Web site benefits the Change This World Project.)

Have you read any great books lately? 5 Steps to a Quantum Life.

If you were a superhero, what famous musician would be your arch-nemesis and why? Probably a gangster rapper with angry and foul lyrics.

What is the most adventurous food you've ever eaten? Roasted garlic.

Movin Melvin Brown's latest, The Magic of You, contains his single "I Have a Dream (Obama Dream Theme Song)" and is available at his Web site or at CD Baby. Older works are available at Amazon.com, on CD Baby, and on iTunes.