I’m So Excited to share this episode of our podcast. It’s 100% Fire. At first I was apprehensive about reaching out to today’s guest to invite her onto the show. I thought our office might somehow implode from over-exposure to raw talent and prestige. I didn’t know if we could handle it. But I summoned up my courage and told myself, “Yes We Can Can.” When Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters agreed to an interview for The GigSalad Greenroom Interviews, I was so excited I could Jump for joy. She could not have been a more gracious guest; after 30 seconds talking with her, you can’t help but adore her. It’s almost Automatic.
Throughout their career, The Pointer Sisters have won 3 Grammy’s, 3 more American Music Awards, and have charted 13 Top Twenty singles and 7 Top Forty albums. They were the first Female African-American group ever to perform at The Grand Ole Opry, and in 1994, The Pointer Sisters were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s safe to say that The Pointer Sisters are legendary.
The Pointer Sisters, 1974
During our conversation, Ruth Pointer filled us in on her recent tour, her tips for staying grounded as a performer, and her thoughts on Kim and Kanye. She also told us a little bit about her recent book, Still So Excited: My Life As a Pointer Sister, which you can purchase at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Show Highlights:
- How The Pointer Sisters’ origin stems from Christian ministry (0:47)
- How Ruth became a Pointer Sister (1:54)
- How Ruth Pointer almost became a fashionista instead of a pop icon (5:42)
- What it’s like when your family members are also your coworkers (7:08)
- One thing Ruth still wants to do before she retires (11:54)
- How Ruth Pointer feels about Kanye West and the possibility of a Pointer Sisters/Kanye collaboration (13:59)
- How to navigate the entertainment industry and deal with fame (14:58)
I know way back then, it was easy to walk into a radio show and ask to have your song played. In today’s world, there’s no way that would happen. And it’s sad because there’s so much talent out there that the music world knows about but they won’t let it be heard. You have to have the face and the looks to get noticed in many music forms, from country to pop, to even blues and folk. But a good friend of mine, Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, always said to me: “Don’t ever give up. Play till you can’t play no more.” That day has not come yet.