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I've been very lucky to have opened up for Billy Bragg several times though out the years . Not only am I a big fangirl, but I consider him a big influence. From him, I think I learned that you don't have to have a big-ass loud rock band to...rock. Billy is best, I think, as a solo performer. And unlike many other activist minded musicians, he knows how to mix humor with his politics. 

Billy is also very generous. He always would allot time for my soundcheck -I always say you can tell a person by how they treat waitresses and opening acts. I have been both...a lot.

On one tour, Billy would bring me out during his  encore to do a cover of Bowie's (or Mott the Hoople) "All the Young Dudes". Here is a live recording from the Barbican in London (2004).

 Listen here: All the Young Dudes