by Oliver Lataste, staff reporter
“A man awoke in a town called normal, he noticed the steamy skies of gloom, he sat and watch the shadows flit across,” are lyrics sung by bluegrass artist Vincent Cross in his new album A Town Called Normal. Released on April 1st, the album details Mr. Cross’ journey to where he is now.
A Town Called Normal is Mr. Cross’ second album. His first was released in 2008, Home Away From Home. Reviewers called it “a timeless classic, something that has flow.” The album was based around the idea of a “self-penned thoughts from my own imagination.”
As a talented musician, Mr. Cross also happens to be a English teacher for sophomores. His teaching provokes plenty of thought and creative ideas in his students, just like the music he writes to his listeners.
Q: What got you into to teaching as a music artist?
A: Fortune. I was given an opportunity to pursue teaching.
Q: What inspires you to strive forward?
A: Students inspire me to strive forward.
Q: What do you expect to resonate in your students with your teaching?
A: That they can be the change in their own world.
Q: Do you keep your musician and teacher role separate? If not, then do you include what you learned as a musician and blend it into your teaching?
A: It’s hard to avoid presenting a large part of your life such as music, in all that you do, especially when it’s a passion of mine like music. My Music Journalism class is where I can blend my passion with my teaching.
Q: Would you say you inspire thoughts in listeners of your music like you inspire students who learn your teachings?
A: I think I provide reflection, definitely. I try to make listeners and students think about what they hear and see how that reflects upon their own lives. I can be a difficult person to interview sometimes.
