a little longer to complete. As for staying motivated, it’s not hard for me, because I love to sing. I hope to be able to do what I love for a very long time. CC: Can you provide some insight into your new recordings, what contributed to their material and why you selected these songs? For example, the song “Parler à mon père” (written by Jacques Veneruso) could be seen as a trib- ute to your late father, who played a key role in your musical develop- ment. Was it emotional or cathartic to perform that song? CD: I’m fortunate to have some wonderful writers contribute to my new CD. For me, a song has to move me in some way before I will record it, or perform it. All the songs on my CD are songs I can relate to in one way or another. Of course, “Parler à mon père” has a very special meaning to me because of my father. He was my big- gest fan, and there isn’t a day that
goes by that I don’t think of him. I’m
so happy to be able to express some
of my feelings for him through this
beautiful song.
CD: It makes me very sad to see artists
who have tragic circumstances. For some rea-
son they lose their way and go down the
wrong path with drugs or alcohol. There’s a
lot of pressure in show business, and some-
times it can take over your life in the wrong
and I can’t imagine doing a show without per-
forming it.
Winehouse. What for you have been the
keys to remaining grounded?
CC: Among numerous awards, you
were appointed a Companion of the Order
of Canada in 2008. What can you recall
about that particular night? Are there any
awards/accolades among the countless
you’ve received that hold a certain significance for you? Why?
CD: It was an honour to
receive the Order of Canada, and I
remember feeling very proud at
the time, mostly for my family,
because I knew how proud they
were. Honestly, I’m grateful for all
of the awards that have been given
to me, but I don’t think about them
too much. Don’t get me wrong, I
think it’s a great privilege to be
honoured by your peers in the
industry, and I realize just how
lucky I am.
“For me, a song has to
move me in some way
before I record it, or
perform it. All the
songs ... I can relate to
in one way or another.”
—Celine Dion
I also recorded a song written by
Diane Warren called “Unfinished
Songs” and it will be on the soundtrack
for a wonderful movie coming out
this year called Song for Marion.
CC: You wrote in your 2000
book, My Story, My Dream, that
you grew up performing songs
by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and
CCR in “kitchen concerts.” Would
you ever consider doing a straight-up rock album? If it were covers,
what songs would you include?
CC: Your cover of Adele’s hit
song “Rolling in the Deep” during
the Las Vegas shows has attracted a
lot of attention. What drew you to
the song?
GÉRARD SCHACHMES
CD: When I was growing up,
we always had great rock music
playing in our house. My brothers
and sisters followed all the popular bands of the ’60s and ’70s, so I
became familiar with a lot of
them, and I loved all of that
music. I don’t know if I would
ever do a straight-up rock album.
CD: Well, first of all, I love Adele. I
think she’s amazing. I’ve been playing
her CDs for the past year, and I find myself
singing along with her. I’m a big fan, and
way. I’m lucky because I’ve always been sur-
rounded by family, and this keeps me
grounded. I don’t go out and party, and ever
since I became a mother, I’m even happier to
stay at home with my family.
I’m not sure my fans would go for
that, but it sure would be fun for
me to sing those songs!
“Rolling in the Deep” is such a great rock song.
I love doing it in the show, and the reaction
from the audience has been really great.
CC: Tell us a little about your thoughts of
the future, both in the short term of, say, one
year, and in the longer term, say, five years.
CC: On a similar note, what do you
think of the new generation of female stars
such as Adele and Lady Gaga?
CD: I think the new generation of female
artists is fabulous. You already know what I
think of Adele, and I think Lady Gaga is also
an incredibly talented and creative artist. P!nk
is also amazing, and there are so many others.
CC: We recently marked the 15th anniversary of Titanic and “My Heart Will Go
On.” What are your feelings toward the
song now? Many performers have an
ambivalent relationship with their signature song. Do you feel the same way?
CC: We’ve seen some prodigious talents
undone by the trappings of success, most
notably Whitney Houston and Amy
CD: This song is part of me, and it will be
this way for the rest of my life. I am so lucky
to be associated with such a classic movie and
song, especially considering that they won at
the Oscars. I see the joy that “My Heart Will
Go On” brings to my audiences every night,
CD: For the near future, I don’t have any
big plans. I’ll be changing diapers, cleaning up
all the food that falls on the floor, having my
first conversations with Nelson and Eddy, and
helping René-Charles with his homework as he
starts middle school—and I’m so excited about
all of that. Looking further down the road, we’ll
continue doing our shows in Las Vegas, and
when I’m not doing that I’ll be spending my
time doing what all mothers do ... and everyone
knows that’s a full-time job. C
