Born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Schahara Hudelson has traveled most of the United States. During her younger years, she sang with her two sisters on a variety of stages and could often be heard backing political candidates at their rallies.
In junior high and high school, Schahara could be found singing for every situation that arose; choral groups, madrigals, musicals, civic clubs. But it was not until she teamed up with a local girlfriend and singer, and they formed a duo that she really developed her ambition for the music field.
In the late 60's she teamed up with and married Rusty Hudelson, and they began to do performances throughout Oklahoma and Texas. One of her most prized roles is that of full time mother while their two daughters were growing up, teaching them to sing and to play piano.
In the 70's, Schahara, Rusty, and their two daughters performed as The Hudelson Family, adding Wyoming and South Dakota to their performance region. They served as co-owners and performers at a popular Wyoming entertainment spot, The Close Encounters Coffeehouse and entered many contests and performed at a variety of events. Additionally, they established Music Message Inc., a recording and publishing business, in which they write, record, and market a unique concept in music, Motivational Music: this music is comprised of motivational themes set to original lyrics and music and marketed worldwide. MMI also promotes and manages talent. Through the remainder of the 70's and 80's, The Hudelson Family Band continued to record and perform.
Returning to college, both Schahara and Rusty earned their degrees and began teaching full-time at South Plains College, where both their daughters have attended also. Schahara teaches Performance and Promotion classes and co-teaches The Country Jukebox TV Ensembles each semester. As Performance Director, she teaches students stage techniques, how to sell themselves, and the business side of the music industry. She was a member of the Country Caravan traveling road show in the performance director capacity for four years. She also designed costumes for the show. Presently, she teaches English at SPC.
During the 90's the Hudelson Family Band and two SPC Instructors formed the Texas Dust Devils. Schahara played bass guitar and sang lead and harmonies in this group which performed in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. This band has recently become The Knights of the West and performs at the Castle Theater in Ruidoso, New Mexico during the 1995 summer season. Schahara manages the group and theater, and costumes the glitzy stage show.
My background in music began at age 5 with piano lessons, which I took for 8 plus years. I participated in recitals and accompanied junior high and high school choir ensembles. I started singing as a child with my sisters at political rallies and teamed up in high school with a friend and performed in that duo during those years. At 18, I married and teamed up with Rusty Hudelson and have been performing with him for 27 years. As our family grew, so did our band and performing opportunities. Recently, I took up the bass guitar and play in our family band, "The Knights of the West".
Who are some of your greatest influences?
My greatest influences include my husband Rusty and his family, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Eagles and traditional country artists.
Do you feel it is necessary to read music to become a great player?
Reading music is helpful because it is a discipline within a discipline. It's good to be versatile.
What was the most difficult thing to learn about playing your instrument?
Finding the time to practice. Practice is a joy. Time is of a premium as an SPC instructor.
What is a technique that you feel is essential?
Scales. Repetition.
What do you consider your greatest experience as a musician?
The Castle Mountain Music Fest in Ruidoso, NM has been my greatest, most recent musical experience.
Describe your first professional playing job.
When you discover that you can actually get paid to play music for people, a light bulb goes on that is pretty hard to extinguish. Entertainment gets in your blood and you can't get it out. My first professional playing job was in high school. The duo did lots of civic clubs and parties and made money. It was great and hooked me for life.
What sort of projects are keeping you busy at this time?
Rusty and I have a motivational music company, Music Message Inc. from which we write, record, and market this new concept in music. Our family band, "The Knights of the West" performs at "The Castle Mountain Music Fest" in Ruidoso, NM, during the summer. I teach at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, and I own a publishing firm which promotes and pitches original music, and manages and books talent.
Do you have particular opinions about good back-up playing when working with vocalists?
When working with vocalists, it is necessary to be on your toes at all times, because it seems they always do the unexpected as far as rhythm, phrasing, and forgetting their words. Also, it is necessary to not be too busy as a player. It takes away some of the impact from the vocals.
Do you have any inspiring words for new musicians that might get them through the potentially frustrating times of practicing?
Get off your BUTS!! (notice the spelling of buts) Anyone can come up with excuses and but this and but that. Not everyone has the dedication required to devote the time to practice, practice, practice.
Click here to return to Biographies and Interviews.
Click here to return to the Creative Arts home page.