Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sudi Karatas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sudi , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The tribute song I wrote in honor of Olivia Newton -John called Her Spirit LIVS On sung by Adrian Christian released August 2023 with proceeds going to Olivia’s foundation (for plant medicine research and finding a cure for cancer),from downloads on itunes and streaming. I’ve been an Olivia fan for over 50 years, the first record I got as a kid was “Come On Over: by her, the first concert I ever saw was her “Physical” tour. I was saddened when she passed in 2022, and a few months later I saw John Easterling, her widower in an interview. He said “I Still Talk To Her Out Loud”. I thought that was a great song title and I was inspired to write a tribute song to her around that which turned into 3 tribute songs, including “Her Spirit LIVS On” (spelled that way because she was known as Livvy and also did an album called “LIV On” with Beth Neilson Chapman and Amy Sky). The song has 12 Olivia song titles in the lyrics that fans will enjoy) Adrian Christian (who also recorded the Christmas song I wrote a few years ago “Midnight Will Be Clear”)is also recording the my two other original tribute compositions plus 3 Olivia covers for a Tribute EP/CD to be released shortly. Olivia gave so much to the world and this is our way of showing our appreciation. This is the link for the song Her Spirit LIVS ON:
https://adrianchristian.lnk.
Because I’m a Gemini I will tell you the 2nd most meaningful project I’ve done. The song I wrote about Alzheimer’s called ” ( I Won’t Forget) What You Don’t Remember” with proceeds from that song going to AFA (Alzheimer’s Foundation of America) the video to that song directed by Larry Weissman and starring Bunny Levine is at this link:
Sudi , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in the Smoky Mountains in a family of 12 children…oh wait that’s Dolly Parton’s story. I grew up in Syosset N.Y., lived in NYC for 6 years and have lived in Southern California the last 21 years. I love writing, its my passion. I love when I can make people laugh like in my new music video directed by Karla Guy: All I Want For Christmas Is You.. GONE! which just won the audience award for best music video at the Silicon Beach Film Festival in Hollywood. I hope my book How Catering Sucked The Life Right Out Of Me that came out in 2020 also gave folks some chuckles.
I think humor is so important but if I can help people at the same time that’s icing on the cake. My book Rainbow Relatives (Real World Stories and Advice on How To Speak To Kids About LGBTQ Family and Friends) seems to have done that.
I think it’s important to take action. So many people talk about how they want to write a book or something but never do or finish it. I do my best to do that. To me writing is easy. Getting things made and out there, another story. But I have determination and patience. The film I co-wrote and produced with Tom Archdeacon: “Walk A Mile In My Pradas” which was on Netflix and is now on Amazon Prime took 7 years to get made. My book took 5 years.
I’ve been writing songs for 40 years and finally some are getting recognition and radio airplay like the song When Donna Sang Last Dance co-written with David Sanchez (a tribute to Donna Summer). Several of my Christmas songs were big hits on WMCT radio in TN.
These are little successes, not everything does as well as I want it to but it will never be because I don’t try. I love to write and I write all the time knowing much of my work will never be seen. I have 12 original screenplays gathering dust as Hollywood makes sequels and remakes.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Never ask an aspiring actor, musician, performer, creative “How long are you going to give it?”
If someone is committed to something or really wants it they should give it however much time it takes to achieve it. That is such a negative question, it almost implies you don’t expect them to be successful. Instead of saying things like that, be supportive of indie projects, go see them, stream them and share with others. Many performers don’t have budgets for publicists…so help your creative friends by spreading the word about any exciting projects they have out!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Some people give up too easily. For my book Rainbow Relatives, I got a lit agent who got a publisher for the book. After working with them a couple months there was an issue beyond my control and we lost the publisher. I was crushed. It’s so hard to get a publisher and I was so excited having one. It was hard for me to stay motivated for a short period of time after that happened, but the agent believed in the book and was able to find another interested publisher. So in the end my book was good enough for 2 publishers! And now it can be found in Barnes and Noble and on Amazon.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sudirick.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sudirick?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rick.karatas?mibextid=9R9pXO
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sudirick?si=D49MkADi5B93G5JB