Parenting Panel with Shelly Rudolph
Shelly Rudolph is a soulful vocalist whose powerful and captivating voice has made her a firm favorite in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, as well as around the world.
Dubbed a “robust and captivating vocalist” by Jazz Times and praised by LA Weekly for her “honey-glazed throat” that can send chills up and down your spine, Shelly is renowned for her organically-gifted and sultry performances spanning jazz, soul, pop, and blues.
Her 2020 album, The Way We Love (Origin, 2020), displays her talent not only as a performer but also as a writer. This ambitious and enchanting album features GRAMMY-winning cellist David Darling and blends jazz, blues, and Shelly’s own “powerfully romantic” material with a sultry sweetness and soulful revelation.
Her “Swank Soul” recording and performance project is a captivating mix of sassy struts, bluesy boleros, and hip-sway ballads, infused with the intoxicating sounds of guitarist Dan Gildea, bassist Bill Athens, and master drummer Edwin Coleman III.
With her most recent single release, “I Love LOVE”, featuring jazz soul artist Charlie Hunter, Shelly reaches new heights bringing tenderness, power and pure joy to a fantastic song.
We are really pleased to have caught up with Shelly for an exclusive interview with us to find out more about her experience of motherhood, music and creativity:
How many children do you have? And what are their names and ages?
One jackpot boy :) Hollis Rudolph Hayden, age 12.
Did you have fears or concerns about how becoming a parent would interfere with your artistic endeavors?
Definitely! Part of me was afraid that becoming a mother would take so much time, energy and income away that I might have to relegate it to the sidelines. I also worried about how my late night jazz schedule would work with the early-life schedule of childhood.
Have those fears come true, or no?
Well, even though my "baby" is no longer a baby, I am still really tired! I am naturally a night person, which works well for gigging life, but not so much for getting him to school on time.
Becoming a mother, of course, expanded who I am and brought even more clarity to my inner life as an artist and the fact truth that this is who I am, this is my path. It makes unexpected twists and turns, sometimes I am in the spotlight, sometimes I am staying home to care for my child, but creating as an artist has never been sidelined, nor will it!
How do you juggle your family and your career? Who’s your support system?
My partner-sweetie-Hollis' father, Chance Hayden, is also a full time musician - as in extraordinary guitarist, songwriter, producer, teacher, all around meastro. So in some ways, there really is no separation between family and career as music flows though it all. I feel so incredibly lucky to have a partner who understands musician/artist life so completely. It gives us a shared foundation of values, priorities, passion and shared lens on the world that really is priceless. It does make does make for an unpredictable life as far as schedules and finances are concerned, but our commitment to each other, to our art, and first and foremost, to our son makes the ebb and flow well worth it.
What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a parent? Any advice for others?
As everyone says, it changes everything and is THE best thing ever. My advice: Sleep when you can! Make art when you can! Even a few stolen moments can change your mood, your day, your life as it reconnects you to your essence, which then shines bright, leading the way for your children to follow theirs.
Have you ever written a song for or about your kids? If so please share a description and a link.
Yes! I wrote "Shine Song" for my son's school art auction when he was in 1st grade. I interviewed his class, asking them what "What makes you feel joyful and shiny?" After the most delightful series of interviews I wrote this bubbly tune.
My partner, Chance Hayden, transformed my demo into a wonderful track in his home studio, then we enlisted a few of our amazing musician-friends to add bass and drums and went back to Hollis' class where we recorded them all singing! It was such a sweet and memorable experience.
I also wrote this poem inspired by my Hollis:
“SUMMER BOY”
Oh how fine to be a boy in summertime
Sun curled hair
Slumbering rosebud lips
Bruised covered shins
Mud kissed fingertips
Stretch limbed out
Peace-filled
Uncompromisingly wide.
Oh how fine to be a boy in summertime
Sleep-dreaming of jungle gyms,
Spider webs and barefoot laughter splashing
How much finer still to be the mother
Moonbeaming down upon
Every wondrous pore
Of this incomprehensible perfection.
Glory be! Sing the nightbirds
Glory be.
And I could not agree more.
Listen to “Shine Song” Here: https://shellyrudolph.com/track/1430038/shine-song
Listen to Shelly’s latest single release “I Love LOVE” feat. Charlie Hunter here:
Connect with Shelly Rudolph:
Website / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / Soundcloud / Apple Music / YouTube Music
Listen to “I Love LOVE” out now on Spotify!