By Sarika Jagtiani, Staff Writer
Dover Post
Tue Oct 20, 2009, 11:47 AM EDT
Music Q&A with Sol Knopf Dover Post
Smyrna, Del. -
Anyone who’s stuck around Kent County for a while has heard of Sol Knopf. If they’re lucky, they’ve heard him perform live. The singer/songwriter’s soulful voice and sound effortlessly blends rock, country and pop for an experience that’s easy to embrace. Here, he lets us know how he’s changed since starting off in music, who he’s listening to these days, and how $8 stood in the way of him seeing a legend onstage.
Q: You’ve been performing for more than 25 years. How has your sound or style changed from when you first started playing?
A: When I started performing in 1981 I tended to mimic singers. After I grew up a little bit and figured out who I was as a person, I found my own voice and style.
Q: You’ve been greatly influenced by a few local musicians, including Jeff Kern, Mike Hines and Mike Hodgeman. Is there anyone performing locally now who you're a fan of?
A: Absolutely! Regionally, I’m a big fan of Jaared. He’s a smooth jazz sax player out of the D.C. area and a dear friend. He’s currently recording his fourth album and it’s being produced by Grammy Award winning producer Michael Broening. As for right here in Delaware, I think Tommy Alderson is about as good a guitar player as I have ever heard. It makes me want to put the guitar down and take up the kazoo! Another friend of mine whose musical ability blows me away is guitar player and singer Paul Donovan. He’s currently developing a solo act. I can’t wait.
Q: What are your five most listened to songs on your iTunes/iPod?
1. “The Beauty of Who You Are” by Marc Broussard
2. “Song for You” by Michael Bublé
3. “When I Get Where I’m Going: by Brad Paisley
4. “One Step Up and Two Steps Back” by Bruce Springsteen
5. “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw
Q: What musician would you have loved to see live, but didn’t get the chance?
A: Jim Croce. I actually had the chance to see him in 1972. Not too many people knew who he was at that time. He did a concert at Wesley College, but I was only 10 years old and didn’t have the $8 for a ticket. I’m sure my parents would have given me the money, but it just seemed like so much I couldn’t bring myself to ask my dad. Isn’t that funny? $8 to see Jim Croce!
Q: What would be your advice to young musicians?
A: Develop your craft. Don’t “wing it.” People don’t become successful at anything by being average. You have to be the best. Then you have to network and meet the right people. Knowing the right people is huge in the entertainment business.
Q: Sometimes you perform with your son. Tell me a little about that experience. Did you teach him to play?
A: I tried not to push Andrew or my daughter Amanda into music. I believe music is a calling and it either calls to you or it doesn’t. I encouraged them both and then got out of the way. Andrew taught himself how to play guitar. Performing with him is a joy. Except now he gets all the girls and I’m just the old guy!
