Gary James' Interview With
Tere DeSario



Teri DeSario has struck Gold with the release of her second album, "Moonlight Madness" on Casablanca Records. That album produced the duets "Yes I'm Ready" and "Dancin' In The Streets" with K.C.* For Teri DeSario, a long awaited dream has finally come true.

Q - Have people been calling you an overnight success?

A - No. I've been in the business twelve years, working really hard. There really is no such thing as an overnight success except in the case of a very young artist coming in.

Q - "Yes I'm Ready" was probably a hit because you rarely hear duets anymore.

A - It comes across as very real. There was a quality of vulnerability of tenderness about it. I had a great time doing the record. There was phenomenal communication between K.C. and myself.

Q - You're from Miami. Does Miami have its own sound?

A - Miami does have a sound of its own. They have a tremendous influx of Latins there and you can hear a soulful fire in the music.

Q - What's been your reaction to reaching the top of the charts?

A - I've noticed I'm a lot more tense than I usually am.

Q - You performed in a Renaissance music group?

A - For six years. We attracted a lot of intellectuals with the group playing concerts in culture spots. I played the recorder.

Q - What club were you playing in when Albhy Galuten (Bee Gees' co-producer) heard you?

A - The Coconut Grove, in October 1976 I believe. I was having a really great night. Albhy Galuten came up to me and said he'd like to work with me, make a demo tape and that he was working with The Bee Gees. I did not realize how big The Bee Gees had become since I hadn't listened to the radio much then.

Q - Do you think something like this is common place in the music business, where a major record producer will spot a singer in a club and want to cut a demo?

A - Nothing common has ever happened to me. My husband, Bill Purse, arranged horns for The Bee Gees. I refused to go to Los Angeles or New York to make it, mainly because I was petrified of competition. Instead I was constantly striving to improve myself, keep my life straight creatively, personally and artistically. I had unbelievable faith.

Q - How did you come to know K.C.?

A - We went to the same junior high school and high school. We were in chorus and drama, but I didn't know him well.

Q - What were you like back then?

A - I used to skip school and go surfing a lot.

Q - Were your parents supportive of your musical ambitions?

A - Yes. I got a lot of encouragement. I had ideas of becoming a performer when I was ten. My mother had a beautiful, rich voice, but never sung professionally because she was so stage shy. My father was a boy soprano.

Q - Tell me about the new album.

A - It's more guitar oriented, more vocally oriented than production oriented. There's some gorgeous ballads on this album. I've been listening to groups like Supertramp more.

Q - What would you tell someone who wants to be a professional singer?

A - If they really want it, it's pretty consuming and you need a tremendous amount of self-discipline. Keep your integrity intact. Maintain a sense of humor. Maintain an inner balance. Remain true to your aspirations. Don't mess over other people.



© Gary James. All rights reserved.

* KC is Harry Wayne Casey of KC and the Sunshine Band.