By: James E. Fowler Times Staff Writer
Sandy Ross, who's having a CD releasse party at B.B. King's on Sunday, is a folk singer-songwriter who's been plying her craft for more than 30 years. As a teen, she was moved by the music of the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early 1960s--artists such as Peter, Paul and Mary, and Judy Colllins; writers such as Bob Dylan, Fred Neil and Phil Ochs. Ross grew up in Phoenix but rambled out of the Wild West town in the early 1970s. "I went to New York City with my songs when I was a Kid, "Ross said. "I signed with Chappell Music and they sent me to L.A." In Los Angeles, Ross became a respected member of the local folk music scene. Over the years, she as worked with Chappell and almost a dozen other publishing firms. Among those who have recorded her songs are Anne Murray and Kim Carnes.
Her music has elements of folk, acoustic blues and jazz, but her songs do not fall automatically into one pop genre or another.
"I've managed to never be tempted to jump on any musical bandwagons," Ross said. "I've always felt I needed to be doing what I'm doing." "During the disco era, there was not a bone in my body that wanted to do that music."
Over the years she's learned to trust her emotions while writing a song. "I've learned if I'm touching my emotions, I'll be touching someone else's," Ross said. "Also, catchiness is important. Is it fun to play it or does it bore the hell out of me?
In addition to her music, Ross works as a computer software documentation writer. She lives in Van Nuys. Like many musicians these days, Ross produces her own CDs.
"For all intents and purposes, I'm a record label," Ross said.
For most of the year, Ross confines her performances to Southern California from San Luis Obispo to Orange County. But in the spring, she tours around the country, traveling to gigs in her 1991 Dodge Ram 250 van.
"Her name is Cecil," Ross said.
With camping gear, icebox and other amenities, "Cecil" is Ross' home on the road, often parked in the driveway of a new friend.
"I'm totally self-contained except for a shower," Ross said. "It's neat because you get to stay with people and get to know them."
* Sandy Ross hosts a release party for her new CD, "Coloring Outside the Lines," Sunday, 4:30-7 p.m. at B.B. King's Blues Club, Universal City Walk, 1000 Universal Center Drive. No cover. (818) 622-5464.