In the world of powerful Charlotte leaders, CATS CEO Carolyn Flowers is a bit of an enigma. She moved here from L.A. to replace Charlotte Area Transit System Chief Keith Parker. Flowers, 60, is the former chief operating officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. We know all about her professional background, but what how does she groove?
If you could meet any singer – dead or alive – who would you want to meet? Why?
I would want to meet Sarah Vaughan, my favorite jazz vocalist, or Luther Vandross, my favorite R&B vocalist. I would want to meet Sarah (nicknamed Sassy) because she had a pure melodic style that made me focus on her vocal range. She represented elegance and grittiness. She was talented, but she was also a savvy businesswoman.
I would want to meet Luther because his songs helped me through some transitions in my life. His songs were uplifting and he provided the spirit to move on. He also personally went through many transitions that demonstrated that you do not have to be perfect to be successful.
What song brings back the most memories for you? Why?
I love the Motown oldies. I grew up listening to jazz as a kid because my father was a huge jazz fan. He controlled the radio and record player in our home, so we listened to jazz at a very early age. So, when I got to college, I experimented because I finally had control of the radio. I listened to everything from hard rock to R&B. I am still a huge fan of the Temptations and Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix. But, Motown songs are still my favorite and many oldies are loaded on my iPod. They are songs that you can sing along with while you are working or walking. I like the beat and the background orchestrations. Motown was the breakthrough to mainstream for R&B artists. They broadened the audience and acceptance of R&B beyond being perceived as an “ethnic music genre.”
What’s your favorite musical era? Why?
Well for jazz it would be the ’60s and ’70s which was the height of jazz experimentation and popularity. For R&B it would be the ’70s through the ’90s, pre-rap, when folks sang and not talked and they actually wrote music and not sampled others’ tunes.
You attended the Joe Sample concert here. Who is your favorite jazz artist?
Well for sure I like Joe Sample. But, I also am a fan of Miles Davis. I also like Herbie Hancock.
What is your favorite musical genre?
I like many genres. I enjoy different music when I am different moods. On my iPod I have playlists for R&B (’80s and ’90s) gets me energized and moving; Inspiration (spirituals and gospel) celebrate the word of God; Jazz (my roots), New World (new age and Tibetan chants to meditate and slow down); and holiday music (Love my Nate King Cole and Johnny Mathis Christmas songs).
My CD collection includes some classical, reggae, rock and pop vocalists. I pick music for my collection because I am attracted to the words and the beat.
