Sharon Leighton Joyner was born into a show business family and began performing (singing, tap dancing, acting, etc. at a very early age. She began her career in Country music in 1961, as a member of a folk trio called : „The Neighbors" consisting of John Leighton, Jerry Patterson and her. They all played guitars and sang. They recorded two records on REVOLVO RECORDS (a local label in Los Angeles, CA.) She married John Leighton in 1963 and they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where they worked as a duo „The Leightons" for two years in military bases and clubs throughout Oahu. In 1965 they came back to California and were met at the airport by Skeets McDonald and his wife Jo who took them under their wings and set them up with Marty Landau (a well know country artist agent.) Within a very few years they became well known, had several singles out and a home base (The Nashville West) where they worked when they were not on the road. They appeared in Las Vegas at The Golden Nugget many times as well as The Silver Dollar. They also played as guests at clubs all over California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and the Orient.

Ch.L.: How was the last year for you? Where there any highlights?

Answer: I just recently began recording my first Gospel CD of the original Country Gospel songs God has inspired me to write over the years. It will be released sometime this year. Last May (2004) I was nominated as best (P/T) female gospel singer and songwriter by the Country Gospel Music Association during their West Coast convention in Bakersfield, CA. During their international convention in Branson, Missouri (headquarters) in October 2004, I recorded the track for 6 of my songs. Sometime in late spring I will go there to finish the album.

Ch.L.: What did you do before you got into the music business?

Answer: As I mentioned earlier, I performed with my parents both in vaudeville on the road and in night clubs. I was born in Kearney, Nebraska, I lived in Hawthorne, Tonapah and Reno, Nevada during WWII, and moved to California when I was 11 years old. In my teens I began showing an interest in becoming an entertainer. I joined a Teen Talent Unit and learned to play the guitar. We did shows for hospitals, Parks and Recreation, prisons, etc. I also wrote two or three songs and did some television and radio shows and had an offer to get a recording contract, but my mom wouldn’t let me. So I finished High School and spent the last two years of High School in New Jersey living with my aunt. I graduated from North Hunterdon Regional HS.

Later I met and married Mal Girdley and had 2 children before I began my career. Mal left me after 6 years of marriage, so I joined a Little Theater group where I met Jerry Patterson (whom I had known in Jr. High School.) and his roommate John Leighton.

That’s how „The Neighbors" began. Then I married John, went to beauty college and business college, etc. You know the rest.

Ch.L.: Country Music has many new fans in Europe who may be learning about you for the first time. How would you describe the music you play to someone who's never seen or heard you before?

Answer: On my website (under construction) the first page says: Country Western, Country Gospel, Country Class as the introduction begins. The photo was taken in 1976. Eventually there will be more photos and more stories as well. I’ll keep you posted.

Ch.L.: What is your current CD and how is it doing?

Answer: I don’t have a current CD for now but will soon. I think you’ll like it. I know that for several years The Leighton’s Album „We Got Love" was available in Europe and the US on GEMM.com.

Ch.L.: How did you find the title for the CD and what inspired you?

Answer: The title will be either „Against All Odds", A Plan for My Life", or „He Made My Joy Complete". I haven’t decided. They are all songs about my journey through life. I don’t know, maybe I’ll call it „My Journey." All my songs are inspired by my relationship with God. Except of course for ones I wrote before which I did record but never released. „Love Is What Makes Us Free" and „Don’t Go Away Mad."

Ch.L.: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding songs for your albums?

Answer: I write them myself now. But I would do other’s songs if they fit what I do. In fact a co-worker has written a poem I am considering called „My Epitaph." She has given me permission to re-write it. I just don’t like the title that much but I love some of the lyrics. I plan on putting it to music.

Ch.L.: Please tell us about the songs on your album.

Answer: To date, I have 6 tracks. The songs are:

„I Just Love That Country Gospel Music." An upbeat tune about why I like CG music. Mingled with a portion of some old gospel hymns like: „I’ll Fly Away", „Where Could I Go?" and „O How I Love Jesus." „You’re On The Right Track", Sort of up tempo BlueGrass flavor about how life is like traveling on a train. Catchy tune and words. „He Made My Joy Complete", A love song to God (Ballad) „Against All Odds", A song about what God has done for us. (Ballad) „No More Excuses", about me and my band and how we all make excuses about how we live. (Country Rock) And finally, „A Plan For My Life", God has a plan for each of us. This is about how I discovered His plan. (Ballad)

Ch.L.: What is the different between your last and your current album?

Answer: My two previous albums, „We Got Love" and „With Love, Sharon Leighton" Were cut in Nashville, and were not all my songs, and were not gospel.

Ch.L.: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?

Answer: Country/Gospel and SOME regular Country songs. I like most of the older more classic country music and blue grass.

Ch.L.: What's your favorite song among all the songs you've recorded and what's the story behind it?

Answer: I haven’t decided on the one I’m doing, but previously, I guess I really loved singing the duet with John Leighton called „Watch Me". The words really spoke to how we felt about each other. The arrangement was awesome and it was beautifully done (if I do say so myself.) Another song on that album which I did was called „When It’s Over."  It was written by John’s son, John Leighton, Jr. It really got to me because as I sang it, I was aware that John was dying and I can hear the place in the song where I almost cried.

Ch.L.: How much creative control do you have over your music?

Answer: Complete control at this time, since I have not signed as yet with any label. I will be shopping as soon as the album is complete.

Ch.L.: There's a lot of work that goes into a Number One hit ... what does it take to make it?

Answer: It takes a good manager who is trustworthy, a good distributor, lots of publicity, and LOTS of money! Plus you MUST be available.

Ch.L.: How much do your songs influence your audience?

Answer: From all I have heard, and seen written, I guess my audience is very deeply moved by my songs. I don’t know that I am such a great singer, but I truly feel what I am singing and won’t record what I can’t either feel, or relate to. I think the audience senses what I feel.

Ch.L.: The internet is playing a bigger and bigger part in the world of music. Has the internet hurt or helped you and how would you like to see it evolve?

Answer: I’ll let you know. This is my first attempt to do what I’m doing. I have not recorded for 20 years until now. But I’m getting lots of encouragement. I am very excited about what God is going to do.

Ch.L.: Who do you look up to musically and where do your musical roots come from?

Answer: I love Patsy Cline, Anne Murray, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and my favorite male artist is Randy Travis. Especially his gospel albums. I was raised with music. My folks were musical and my moms family were all musical as well. My kids and grandkids are also musical.

Ch.L.: What did you do before you got into the music business?

Answer: Babysat, worked in an office, was a waitress, housekeeper, beautician (almost), and of course a mom and homemaker.

Ch.L.: What do you think about today's Country Music versus its roots and where do you see it going in the future?

Answer: It’s a mixture, of Country, Rock, Pop, etc. It was headed that way for a long time. I like most of it, but don’t care much for some of the content. Some of it I classify as Country Trash.

Ch.L.: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between "traditional" and "new" country music?

Answer: Traditional is more folksy, has more traditional instrumentation and

Quality lyrics. The „New" is more like rock and roll, and pop. I do like some of it, but not all. But I don’t like all the traditional either.

Ch.L.: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

Answer: If it was possible, there are a lot of things I’d change. But unfortunate- ly that’s not going to happen. The entertainment business is very cut throat. I think the internet might be able to change some of it, though.

Ch.L.: As an artist you have to do so many different things such as recording, touring, doing interviews etc. What do you like best, what's your favorite activity?

Answer: Writing and performing my songs. All the rest goes with it. I don’t mind interviews, but would prefer them face to face.

Ch.L.: Are you doing anything to take country music beyond it’s current borders or are you happy where it is?

Answer: We’ll have to wait and see. I’m not sure what its current borders are for sure. I’m anxious to see how my gospel music is accepted.

Ch.L.: How did you get into Country Music ... is there a story behind it?

Answer: Southern California is what got me started. I fell in love with it from watching TV shows and attending shows like „Town Hall Party" and „Hometown Jamboree". I just fell in love with the down to earth type of feel the music and artists had. I never dreamed I’d be working with some of the folks I used to watch on TV.

Ch.L.: Before you became a star, were your friends and family supportive or was it a struggle?

Answer: It was definitely a struggle. My mom didn’t want me to be in the business. But it was inevitable. As for becoming a star, I guess I never really considered myself a star. I’m just a woman who loves to share the God given talent He has given me. I love music, and I love people.

Ch.L.: Has your journey to success been a hard or an easy road?

Answer: My first journey wasn’t very hard, because I had a partner and we did it together. But it wasn’t all that easy either. It took a lot of sacrifice on both our parts. It was hard on our family. I’ll let you know after my second journey gets started how easy I think it is. I’m basically starting over from scratch.

Ch.L.: What drives you? What inspired you to become an artist?

Answer: Some deep inner desire to sing that just wouldn’t let me be kept me going. Now I realize it is God. I realized that when I began to write gospel music.

Ch.L.: What does it take to be a Country Star?

Answer: I guess mostly a deep desire and lots of hard work and sacrifice I have seen some with absolutely NO talent who make it to the top. Then I see some who have more talent than anyone has a right to have who fall flat on their face. It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it, who you know and lots of support both personal, emotional and financial. Loretta Lynn had absolutely no thought of being a star until Mooney forced her into it. Every star needs a Mooney, or needs to be a Mooney.

Ch.L.: What's unique about you that differentiates you from other artists?

Answer: Every person has some unique quality of their own. We are all very different. As to how and why? That’s just the way it is. I am not sure any of us are aware of our uniqueness.

Ch.L.: What's the best thing about being a star and what's the hardest thing?

Answer: The best thing is being accepted by your fans and your peers. The worst thing is some of the things you have to do to get there and to stay there. You sacrifice privacy and other things. It’s certainly nice to get good money, but if that was the reason, I’d find another way.

Ch.L.: What has been your greatest challenge in music business?

Answer: Continuing for four years without my singing partner.

Ch.L.: What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights and achievements which you're proud of?

Answer: Being able to continue my career for the short time I did by myself. It

was definitely something I didn’t think I could do. My greatest thrill was when me and my band „Country Sunshine" opened the show at Ontario Motor Speedway in the early 70’s. We were the only country group on the roster and we blew all the rockers away. I was so proud of the guys! They were truly great!

Ch.L.: Who's your biggest critic, yourself or others?

Answer: I am without a doubt my biggest critic.

Ch.L.: When you get time off, how do you like to relax?

Answer: Spending time with my family doing whatever they like to do.

Ch.L.: Is there anything in your life that you would change if you could?

Answer: I would have made better choices and less mistakes. But since all the things we do, good or bad, help us to help others do better, I guess I wouldn’t have the right to make any changes. God allowed every one of the goofs I’ve made.

Ch.L.: What private hopes and desires do you have?

Answer: To make a difference in peoples lives and to glorify God.

Ch.L.: What has been the biggest disappointment in your life?

Answer: Not being the kind of mother I would have liked to have been.

Ch.L.: Many European fans travel to Nashville for Fan Fair because of the opportunity to see so many of their favorite stars at the same time. Will you be participating and how will the fans be able to find you?

Answer: My last Fan Fair was in 1976. Only time will tell if there will be more.

Ch.L.: Is there anyplace you haven’t played that you would like to?

Answer: The Grand Ole Opry.

Ch.L.: Can your European fans look forward to seeing you in concert in the future?

Answer: I hope so.

Ch.L.: What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?

Answer: Someone who loves to bring happiness to her audience and to make a difference in their day.

Ch.L.: When you're on tour, do you have time to play tourist?

Answer: If I can, I certainly will. I have in the past. I loved touring the Orient.

Ch.L.: Do fans mob you everywhere you go or do they allow you a private life?

Answer: Depends on where I am. I have been mobbed, but not usually.

Ch.L.: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?

Answer: My website is under construction. It has a long way to go. If you want to see it so far, it is www.sharonleighton.com  .

Ch.L.: Tell us about your fan club and how people can join it.

Answer: My fan club has been folded for a long time. Once I become worthy of having a fan club, I will let you know.

Ch.L.: What are your plans for the future?

Answer: Finish my first album and start working on another.

Ch.L.: What's the best compliment a fan has ever given you?

Answer: That I have a unique sound. Many times fan’s think you are Complimented by telling you, you sound just like ---- . I don’t want to be remembered for copying someone else’s style.

Ch.L.: What's your favorite song that you didn't record and why?

Answer: I’ve got so many favorites. I really don’t know for sure.

Ch.L.: What message would you like to send your European fans?

Answer: That I hope one day I will have the privilege of singing for them and meeting them. And that they will be blessed by what they see and hear.

Ch.L.: Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans that we haven’t covered?

Answer: I think I’ve run out of things to say.

Ch.L.: What is the latest news in your career?

Answer: That I’m even considering having one after all these years. But if it is God’s will, it will happen. I’m just waiting and watching as I hope all of you will.

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )