European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 1, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Sunday March 1,1987 the stars and stripes Page 3 Joan Faulkner in american military dependent who s building a singing career in Europe belts out a song la a fourth Grade class at Wiesbaden elementary school. Airman s wife seeks singing career shuttles Between u.s., Europe by Connie Dickey staff writer Wiesbaden Joan Faulkner Sang her first Solo in her father s Church ill Nguc 3 and got her first professional break in a Frankfurt nightclub while her husband was stationed Al Rhein main a. Even though she now lives in Oklahoma Faulkner is convinced her singing career will find Success in Europe. In America everything is faster and you have to be really Good to gel a Faulkner said. In Europe things Are slower. European Lake i heir time to gel 10 know a pet former and Ihen when they accept you. You Are in. I be made up my mind if i m going to make in in will have to he in she shuttles Back and Forth from okla homa to Europe for her performances sometimes staying weeks Al a time. She has completed a single record and will put the finishing touches on an album Hal she s recording in Stuttgart. It is so hard to gel anywhere in the entertainment Field. You have to have someone behind you someone in your Corner. I am so Lucky in that respect. My husband was transferred to tinker fab. Okla., in i9s5, and 1 came Back to the Frankfurt Airport Sheraton for it week shortly afterwards. When 1 got Home we talked and my husband said since i like to sing and that s what i want to do i Hen go for Faulkner last week visited Lucy Henry s fourth Grade class at Hai Norberg elementary school in Wiesbaden to give the students some insight into a singers life. In in t 100 percent Glamour she told the class. Audiences never see the wind tic scenes work the Long hours of practice driving Hack and North to performances. It s hard she built her european farm in seven cars while her husband. Tech. So. Booker t. , was stationed at Rhein main a from 1978 o 1985. She quickly Learned thai audiences do not want to just watch a person sing. A person has to be an entertainer now. Gel the audience involved she said. displayed what she meant while standing in the Middle of the class. On request she broke into a rendition of proud Mary and got the students clap Ping and singing with her. Being an air Force family member and Iryma losing professionally has not been easy she saw my husband s military commitment comes first period. I have three children. So i hair needs have had to come first too. Now hat the children Are older. 1 can conc Norale on my career. I worked with the military As a Secre tary i was a waitress 1 had a variety of paying jobs but 1 always Sang. I sing because i feel Good and i to Hight the audience to feel Faulkner grew up with music with her roots in Church gospel singing. Her in her was a pastor and her first Solo came As a 3-year-old in his Church. Her career got its Start by a Fluke i was a customer in u jaw club in Frankfurt and got up and Sang with the band. They were impressed and i Gol a lot of offers losing with different Jan Bui she quickly became stereotyped As a a Singer so she began branching out in order to please More Faulkner now can sing the blues Rock or pop music. Her ability to sing these Ilif Lurenl styles has taken her through Siul Germany swim hand. Yugoslavia and Austria helping her to Leeome the enter Laititi r she strives to be. Rut her children. Natoshia Tianna and Marlin. See her Only As mum. The minute 1 walk Tom Hugh the door. I m jump lain mom. 1 conk i clean i do laundry and i take care of the
