She's an actress. She's a singer. AND she's a huge hockey fan. Ladies and gentlemen, please say "Hello" to Katie Griffin, the ultimate Canadian woman...

Gordie.ca: What was the final straw in convincing you to do an album?

Katie: It was pretty much an accident, mixed in with a little bit of fate. I was actually just looking to make a little demo, with one of my songs, for ''acting' purposes, and when I played Rob Plowman (Fish Music) the songs, he liked them a lot. As luck would have it, Michael Kulas had just stumbled back from Britain, and I cleverly persuaded him in to co-producing it. I am very clever. O.K., O.K., maybe just REALLY lucky.

Gordie.ca: So you are now a double threat -- in music and acting. Aren't you being a little greedy?

Katie: J-Lo is greedy. "Don't be fooled by the Loonies that I got, I'm still Katie from the block".

Gordie.ca: How would you like it if Anne Murray or Leona Boyd started showing up for your auditions?

Katie: Hmmmm. Well, I would pay five bucks to see them go head to head with each other.

Gordie.ca: What classic Canuck tune, from any genre, would you most like to cover?

Katie: "Songbird", by Anne Murray. Kidding. Probably, "The Good Ole Hockey Game"by Stompin' Tom

Gordie.ca: On this year's Junos, which of Shania's outfits did you like best?

Katie: I'm not really sure. I guess I kind of liked her homage to hockey.

Gordie.ca: You worked with Michael Kulas from JAMES. Did you ever ask him what was behind that song "Laid"? Awesome tune, but a little odd, no?

Katie: He told me, the meaning of the lyrics were a dark secret...........something about The Freemasons, or Knight's Templars, but it's so hard to take him seriously when he's "dressing up in woman's clothes, messing around with gender roles".

Gordie.ca: Congrats on doing DOC with Billy Ray Cyrus. But just between us... ever have to bite your tongue to hold in an "Achy Breaky" crack? Come on, fess up..

Katie: To my knowledge, I always thought the song was called "Itsy bitsy heart". So no, it never really crossed my mind. He was a sweetheart though, a really nice guy. Great show to work on. .

Gordie.ca: How did you feel after the Leafs were bounced from the playoffs?

Katie: Sick.

Gordie.ca: Any thoughts on who will and won't be back in the blue and white next year?

Katie: Well, I'm guessing Shane Corson won't be back, and perhaps Pat Quinn?? As for keepers, I would really like to see Mogilny back, and Travis Green.

Gordie.ca: Any plans for touring to support your CD?

Katie: I'm still in the process of getting dates lined up, but it looks like it's gearing up to be a busy summer.

Gordie.ca: You seem to be doing a lot of voice work for animated shows. How does that compare to acting in front of cameras?

Katie: Voice-over acting is awesome! I love doing voices for cartoons! You have so much more freedom, and as far as I'm concerned, fun. There seems to be a lot more at stake when you're performing in front of the camera. Being anonymous, using only your voice allows you to go to a really silly, outrageous place. I love it. I've also been pretty lucky with the shows I've worked on. Braceface is so well written.

Gordie.ca: When doing voice work how much do you let yourself go? Hair in rollers? Home facial applied and doing it's work?

Katie: I suppose I could show up to work in my pjs, but that wouldn't be very appropriate. It's still a job, so I try to be as professional as possible.

Gordie.ca: On your next album, would you consider a song about a Canadian cartoon beaver? The site needs a theme song.

Katie: The beaver's cute, but I only voice the cartoon characters, I don't usually sing about them, so probably not. But I hear Kulas is going to cover the "Roger Ramjet" theme. Hard to say.

Gordie.ca: Can you think of any possible lyrics for said beaver tune?

Katie: I don't know why, but for some crazy reason, every time I think about lyrics for the beaver, my mind goes in to the gutter. You had better find someone else. :)

Gordie.ca: Has completing this album and getting it out to the world, inspired you to start writing songs for the next one?

Katie: I pick up the guitar every day, so it's pretty hard not to write. Usually I start writing when it's completely unintentional. I've just finished a song called "Suddenly".

Gordie.ca: In the bio on your website (www.katiegriffin.com) it says that you learned to play guitar in about 6 months. Is that true or are you a great big fibber?

Katie: I didn't say I was any good. Seriously though, I took lessons for six months. After that, I started writing. That was two and a half years ago. I'm still pretty green on the guitar, but it's more of a tool for my writing, rather than my main focus. I'm mesmerized by the guitar. There is nothing better, than listening to someone who can really play the guitar. I'm not at that stage, but I'm working on it.

Gordie.ca: Where can the good folks who visit Gordie.ca pick up your CD?

Katie: You can pick up my cd, on my website www.katiegriffin.com, or just go directly to Maple Music, (www.maplemusic.com) , oooooor at my CD release party, on May 16th , at the Rivoli.

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