Article first published as Musician Sara Hickman on The Best of Times on Technorati.
The Best of Times
During 2010, in the wake of the Texas Legislature’s budgetary cuts for arts funding, Sara Hickman, the Texas State Musician of the Year, decided to use her position to raise funds and awareness for the importance of arts education (and the funding of it) for children. More exactly, she spearheaded a collaborative effort-with a variety of Texas artists including Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson, Rhett Miller, Robert Earl Keen as well as many more-to record a collection of Hickman’s own songs. The project, The Best of Times, was recently released as a two-CD, 38-cut collection by Waterloo Records. All proceeds from the sale of the CD set go directly to the Theatre Action Project, a non-profit that supports unique arts programs for more than 16,000 young people. To fully grasp the drive behind her charitable efforts, I recently email interviewed Hickman.
How did you go about getting all of the many fellow talented people who contributed their musical talents to Best of Times?
I knew I had, at least, a year to start lining up musicians to record for The Best of Times because Willie Nelson, who also recorded for the album, was the State Musician before my position took place. So, I immediately made a “wish list” and began calling/emailing/asking in person. I kept a giant chart on the wall with the names of artists/bands I had contacted, the titles of songs I had sent, if they had responded, if they were in the studio, if they had finished recording, if I had the recording.
When did your involvement and interest start with the Theatre Action Project?
I believe the first time I knew about Theatre Action Project was an after school program I was invited to lead concerning songwriting and drumming. I would guess that was about six or seven years ago. Then, I was in a ninth month course entitled Leadership Austin in which Karen LaShelle was also enrolled. We spent time getting to know one another and discussing the importance of arts availability to children in Texas.
For folks like myself woefully ignorant about the Theatre Action Project, what does it do and why should folks want to donate money to its cause?
There are many non-profit groups that bring a variety of art expressions to children in and after school. The difference, and outstanding quality, about Theatre Action Project (TAP) is how they empower and engage kids to learn about theatre, art, music, movement, creativity and self-expression in conjunction with everyday issues. TAP asks kids, “What’s important in your lives? What’s going on in your world?” The kids get to discuss issues such as bullying, or dating violence, or even home issues. TAP can then help the kids to create scripts, costumes, sets, art goals (a tiled wall, giant mosaic self portraits in pastel, sculptural pieces to display) which can they be presented peer-to-peer. Involving the kids to use their own ideas and bringing them to fruition and then sharing what they’ve created makes a big impact within the school, within the community.
In terms of making people aware of the cut in funding, do you think your concerns get more attention given that you have a platform and a voice as the official state musician of Texas?
Well, this was, and still is, my hope. When I was told of this humbling honor, I set out to raise awareness concerning the cuts in arts funding and to also raise monies slashed by the legislature that gave me the accolade. I hope I have raised awareness. I hope people will buy the CD, The Best of Times. However, I do find it ironic that as my term ended in May, the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) had its own funding cut by 50%. This is the group that works with the legislature to not only choose the State Poet Laureate, 2D and 3D artists and the State Musician, but they ALSO give out grants to teens wanting to pursue further education in an arts program. For example, if a 16 year old wanted to spend their summer taking a painting course at UT, or Rhode Island School of Design, or private lessons with a professional in their chosen arts field, TCA can give up to $2500 to that teen towards the costs of the course. I know many other non-profit arts groups and school programs have been deeply affected by loss of government funding, as well.
As a songwriter, how gratifying is it to hear this diverse a selection of musicians sing songs that you wrote?
First of all, I’m still honored and blown away by the fact that the CDs EXIST! God placed it on my heart to create this collection, and the fact that musicians responded with such passion and determination really astounds me. Having been a songwriter since I was seven, hearing 38 of my songs reinterpreted by such great talent has made me feel a part of a greater community, where, before, I felt rather isolated in my songwriting. That by coming together we can, of course, make change happen for the arts, for children in Texas. But, as far as how I feel personally about the diversity of musicians performing my songs, I’m deeply touched and grateful. When the songs started coming in, I would, literally, cry tears of gratitude or smile with joy until my face hurt. The interpretations were never what I expected, and always beyond what I expected. Plus, it made me hear my songs in a whole new light, and that was prettttttty cool! 
What were some of the more challenging logistical aspects of attempting a project of this scale?
Reaching certain people. I tried to get Erikah Badu, Alejandro Escovedo, Carolyn Wonderland. There were so many people on my list I could just never reach, or who were on tour. I had to, of course, explain what the idea was AND ask everyone if they were willing to record for free. I was overseeing getting song choices and lyrics to people, sometimes videoing my hands on the guitar to show certain chords/movements, or creating and sending charts…I was following up with each musician/band to see if they had a studio/engineer available for them to record the song they chose, and if not, I would find one or both for them. I had to get the packaging created, figure out how to pay for duplication and mastering (thank you to all the people who helped on Kickstarter), and oversee the song order for mastering. Following up with people and checking in where they were on the process was the most time consuming. However, just to name a few—David Garza, Shawn Colvin, Robert Earl Keen—they sent their recordings in, if not that day, by the end of the week.
Given that The Best of Times project was prompted by fiscal decisions by the Texas Legislature, have you heard from anyone in the legislature, thanking you (or challenging you) for your efforts?
Three people thanked me: Rep. Elliot Naishtat, Senator Wendy Davis, Rep. Donna Howard. I’m still waiting to hear from Gov. Rick Perry 😉 I don’t know what he will say, but I’d be interested in hearing from him. We’d have a lot to discuss, I think.
Anything you’d like to discuss that I neglected to ask you about?
I would implore people to please support this project. This isn’t a “thrown together” project. It’s one of the best choices you could musically purchase. It took a lot of time, sweat and tears, and the end result is an album that just sounds terrific—the variety of musicians really showcases Texas’ musical talent—from known names like Willie Nelson and Shawn Colvin to those that deserve to be heard, who are just as talented: Matt the Electrician, Suzanna Choffel, Gretchen Phillips, the Daze…I think people will appreciate hearing how richly loaded this recording is; how it showcases the diversity of talent and songwriting, too. Most importantly, each purchase makes a statement—that people care about helping children receive the right to an excellent creative environment. Music, art, theatre, poetry, dance—all these arts enrich children’s lives, develop ways to utilize self-expression and creative problem solving, thus, helping our communities, and the world, embolden the best artists, doctors, diplomats, teachers, pilots, dancers, coaches, you name it. Art is only the beginning of what’s to come in each child’s life. Creativity helps them choose the person they want to become.
