JUNO Fan Fare offers access to the stars

We asked some of the artists appearing at JUNO Fan Fare Presented by CBC Music questions about their musical influences, collaboration dreams and what their lives would be like if they weren’t performing.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

Tough to single out just one person. Keith Urban and Chris Cornell have had the biggest influence when it comes to other artists. I’d also say my producer and friend Joey Moi has been someone who’s had one of the biggest influences in my career.

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

I’m loving all the collaborations Kendrick Lamar has been doing with other artists. I’d love to be a part of that.

If you weren’t performing what would you be doing?

Probably something in construction. Love getting my hands dirty and creating.

JAMES BARKER (From the James Barker Band) Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

It’s difficult to narrow it down to just one influence, but if I had to choose I’d pick Eric Church. He’s at the top of the game in all aspects; writing, recording and touring. I don’t think you’d find another artist in any genre that can do all three as good as he does.

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

If I could collaborate with anyone it would be Keith Urban. He seems like such a creative dude, he’s always pushing boundaries with his music. Tim Hicks

If you weren’t performing what would you be doing?

I don’t really think that I’d be doing anything else. Playing music for a living has really always been my only career choice. If I wasn’t making a living playing music, I’d be in my mom’s basement making music. There’s no alternative.

LIGHTS Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

Kate Bush, Bjork, Lara Croft and my dad!

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

Lorde! She is such an impressive being.

If you weren’t performing what would you be doing?

Probably working in animation or video game design.

TIM HICKS Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

My wife, Amanda, has definitely had the biggest influence on my career. She has been a constant supporter from way back, long before I ever had a song on the radio. There were many times I thought of giving it all up to choose a less challenging path, and she encouraged me to follow my dream each time questioned myself. I’m glad I listened.

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

I’d love to collaborate with Bryan Adams. I have been a huge fan of his work my whole life. The first electric guitar I ever bought was a black Fender Stratocaster like the one he has on the cover of “Waking Up the Neighbours”. I think it would a great experience to pick his brain about song-writing, touring, playing in a band, among other things. Writing a song with him would be very cool.

If you weren’t performing what would you be doing?

If I weren’t performing, I’d be thinking about performing - ha! It’s something you can’t explain. It’s in your bones, in the blood that runs through you. I truly believe the music chooses you.