RANDY NEWMAN

November 2003
		Award-winning musician, songwriter and composer Randy Newman has released a retrospective look at his career, "The Randy Newman Songbook." The artist answers your questions about composing for movies, his latest album and his life of music. RealAudio: Arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown talks with Newman about his life and work.

Forum Introduction Are there any other songwriters today who approach the task the way you do and if so, is that why I haven't heard of them? How should entertainers be viewed for their political views? What do you think of the current state of the music industry? Do you feel a desire to pass along your experiences, advice and wisdom to aspiring songwriters? What was it like working with Harry Nilsson? I was wondering which songwriter(s) among your contemporaries do you admire most? What was it like to finally receive your Best Song award after all of those nominations? What is there about music that sustains you? In some of your songs you take a sarcastic look at the U.S. and life in the U.S. In retrospect of your career and as an American, how do you see the state of the U.S.?	Rick Mata of Austin, Texas, asks: What was it like to finally receive your Best Song award after all of those nominations? How did you feel when you walked up to get it? Randy Newman responds: When I got the Academy Award and walked up to get it I was far more moved than I thought I would be. Intellectually, I've known since I was 8 years old that the Academy Award doesn't always go to the best work. I was never particularly disappointed when I didn't win. I was always, believe it or not, happy to be nominated by the Music Branch. When I won and when I saw the orchestra and the audience standing up and applauding, it really got to me. Karen Mundo of Rockport, Mass., asks: What is there about music that sustains you? As a music educator in the public schools, I'm always trying to defend the value of teaching and learning about music. Besides helping you earn a living, what else is there about music that cause you to stay with it year after year? Randy Newman responds: What causes me to stay with music is the feeling I get after I've written something. I'm not a good person to answer this question. I've always found music to be hard work. I think I'd love it if I played well enough to play chamber music. I do love working with an orchestra more than anything. If children could sit up close and were exposed to the sound of a good orchestra -- it would go a long way toward engendering in them a love for music. As would listening to "Songs in the Key of Life" by Stevie Wonder or maybe an album by The Who.   Photograph of Randy Newman by Pamela Springsteen