Molly Felder with Henry

After accidently stumbling into this “Who Moved Away” subset of 11 Questions, I decided that making some intentional requests might be fun. What a great way to hear about the old Nashville and catch up on what some folks who left town are up to. Why did I wait so long though to invite Molly Felder to participate?

Molly and Bill DeMain (my first 11 Question subject) were once (and sometimes still are) the amazing Pop duo known as Swan Dive. Simply stated, Molly is an amazing vocalist and performer who a few years ago left Nashville and made music a part-time thing. After first moving to New Harmony, Indiana, she and her family now reside in Washington state. As you will read below, its great to hear that she is still singing.

As for the status of Swan Dive, a band loved not only by Nashvillians, but who became touring superstars in Japan and Korea, there have been a scattering of shows since Molly left town. The most recent was a livestream for the 20^th Anniversary of their superb “June” LP which is archived here for your viewing pleasure.  

Thanks so much Miss Molly for visiting 11 Questions. Looking forward to another Swan Dive reunion in Music City real soon.    

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

Both sides of my family are from East Texas. I moved to Nashville when I was 19 on May 8, 1981, with my friends Mark and Pat. We were attending college in Jacksonville, TX at the time and were in a band together. We practiced a lot but never played any gigs. Ha-ha. Anyway, those guys were both songwriters and we decided one day to pack up and move to Nashville. It was Pat’s birthday. We got a furnished place on 17th Ave that was a couple of doors down from a house where Waylon Jennings had a studio. We were so excited to be living on Music Row!

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

We had lots of good records at home: The Jackson 5, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Herb Albert, Johnny Cash. But I think the first record I bought with my own money was Elton John’s Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (vinyl) at a record store in Tyler, Texas. The last record I bought was Joe Pisapia’s Imbolc (digital).

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?  

We lived in very small towns in Texas, so I didn’t go to a real concert until we moved to Grand Prairie. The first was Boston in Fort Worth and shortly after I saw Parliament on the Dr. Funkenstein tour in Dallas. So super fantastic!  The last concert was Andy Shauf in September 2021 in Tacoma, WA which was wonderful.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

Jim Hoke and Brad Jones.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Fido and Pizza Perfect.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?  

I have a lot of favorites, especially all the great records produced by Brad Jones and Robin Eaton at Alex the Great. But I am going to pick “Amos Moses” by Jerry Reed because my sister Laura and I played this record over and over, laughing and singing out loud! Such a fun memory.

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Ooh, I don’t know anymore. I would prefer a meal at Bill DeMain’s house because he is an amazing cook!

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

Well, if they called me, it would most likely be because of Bill DeMain, so Swan Dive (hosts) with Don Henry, David Mead, and WT Davidson.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The Bluebird and The 5 Spot.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here.

Lucy Wainwright Roche, Erin Moran aka A Girl Called Eddy and Bonnie Raitt.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

I sing regularly with a gypsy jazz band on Whidbey Island, WA which is fun. I would like to do more recording and of course, more Swan Dive shows. I also want to record more with my son, Grafton. He is a wonderful musician.