truly gifted. That being said, she wasn't my only
mentor…
Well, let's jump right into it...tell us how you got
?discovered? in the 80's, how did that big break
happen, what was it like?
I was working as a receptionist at a recording
studio, The Music Farm. Apparently, the owner of the
studio, Jim Wolfe, landed a deal with a record label in
Seattle called First American Records to record and
produce local artists. Jim knew I was a singer and
asked me if I was interested in doing a full length album. My response...HELL YES! My first dream
coming true!
You recorded "Take a Look? in 1981, tell us about
?
the process of putting together an album, was it
harder or easier than you expected as a new artist?
How has it changed, (sorry to say this!) 30 years ago
as opposed to today?
I was practically out of high school at the time
and still discovering who Pamela Moore 'the person'
was. I was just too young to understand the whole
process and it was a huge learning curve. I didn't do
any writing for the albums because I wasn't confident
that my writing was strong enough so I agreed to
have the Studio find songs that would best suit my
voice. I also didn't join in on any of the producing. I
sat back, listened, watched and did what they told me
to do.
I ended up making two records for the label. The first one "Take a Look" did really well regionally and I got a great mention in Billboard; however, by the time the second album "You Won't Find
Me There" came out the record label had to close its
doors. I am not really certain why that happened but
it did and I was on my own after thinking I was on
my way to being famous. Funny how life is.
Today, making records for me is very different. I like to be involved in the whole process and
not just the singing part. I want my stamp of approval on the writing, recording, and producing end of
things while inviting trusted and talented people to
help with the technical parts that I don't have patience
for. And the technical parts have changed GREATLY, like replacing the tape machine with computers! It's fascinating to realize how much more you
can do in half the time!
ation: Mindcrime, an incredible opportunity, how
did that come about?
Looking back on my career, being asked to
perform the part of Sister Mary was a very awesome
moment and I had no idea at the time it was going to
turn out the way it has for me, personally. It was the
classic case of "being in the right place at the right
time".
I was finishing my second album for First
American Records, performing nightly with a very
popular local top 40 band, working part time for a
music store and was hired frequently as a session
singer to do voice over work and sing on a few radio
commercials. One particular radio/TV commercial
was for the music store I worked for, Guitars
Etc. The store would buy massive radio time and the
'simple but effective' jingle I sang on became a bit
infamous. At that time, Queensryche was working
on Operation Mindcrime and seeking someone to
sing the part of Sister Mary with Geoff Tate. Chris
DeGarmo and Geoff heard the Guitars Etc. jingle on
the radio and set out to find out who I was. Long story short, Chris called me from Montreal (where they
were recording the album) and asked me if I would be
interested in flying up and recording the song with
Geoff. The rest is history…
All of a sudden, you are part of a group, and commercial success finally stabilizes, how did that
change your situation?
I was asked to join Queensryche on their Empire tour in 1990/91 which was my first experience
Six years after ?You Won't Find Me There?, things touring on such a huge level and performing for so
shot to the moon - you become Sister Mary on Oper- many people. I was in awe…