Takin’ A Walk celebrates Women’s History Month with a very special She Wrote the Book feature — and host Buzz Knight sits down with the one and only Carnie Wilson, the powerhouse vocalist and television personality whose voice helped define the sound of a generation.
Carnie Wilson rose to fame as one-third of Wilson Phillips, the iconic vocal trio whose debut single “Hold On” became one of the best-selling singles of 1990, spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. But behind that soaring voice and infectious pop brilliance is a woman with one of music’s most extraordinary family legacies — she is the daughter of Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, one of the most celebrated songwriters and musical visionaries in rock history.
In this intimate and revealing conversation, Carnie opens up about growing up in the shadow of pop royalty, finding her own artistic voice, the creative chemistry between herself, Chynna Phillips, and Wendy Wilson, and how music has been both a refuge and a calling throughout her life. She reflects on the timeless appeal of Wilson Phillips’ harmonies, the emotional journey behind their biggest hits, and what it means to carry on a musical legacy while forging one’s own path.
A television personality, podcast host, and passionate advocate for mental health and wellness, Carnie Wilson is far more than a pop star — she’s a storyteller, a survivor, and a true daughter of rock and roll.
This Women’s History Month, Takin’ A Walk honors the women who wrote the soundtrack of our lives. Carnie Wilson has been singing hers out loud for decades — and she’s not done yet.
#carnie wilson #wilson phillips #brian wilson #pop music history #buzz knight #takin a walk #legendary musician interviews
Support the show: https://takinawalk.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Support the show: https://takinawalk.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
A Walk on Buzz Night and in March here this
Women's History Month, were honoring women who have lived their
truth out loud and never stopped fighting for themselves. My
guest today on this Encore episode first captured the world's
heart as one third of Wilson Phillips, one of the
most successful vocal groups in pop history, but her journey
(00:23):
didn't stop at the top of the charts. She faced
her battles publicly with courage and transparency on body image,
mental health, and what it really means to grow into yourself.
Carne Wilson has never hidden from the hard stuff, and
that honesty, that willingness to be seen has made her
a voice for so many women who needed to hear
(00:45):
that they weren't alone. This has taken a Walk, and
today we talk about life beyond the stage and everything
that makes it worth living. Carnee Wilson is next. She
wrote the book Taking a Walk. Carnie Wilson. How is
your dad doing?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
He's doing very well. It's his birthday today and he's
doing great. He's just uh, you know, he's getting older,
and every day there's a new little surprise, little you know,
there's there's moving forward there's setbacks, there's all kinds of stuff,
and I guess that's just how we are in life.
(01:27):
So he's so loved and he knows that, and and
I really I think he's improving. I think he's doing great.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
How did growing up with your dad shape your musical
journey and aspirations?
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Well, I mean, my parents divorced when I was young,
so I have I have quite a few memories, and
there's a lot of special ones. And depending on how
like how I am, you know, like mentally that day
or spiritually that day, often I reflect, you know, and
(02:06):
when I'm feeling shitty or just feeling like, I don't know,
impatient or in self pity or something like that, then
I tend to think about negative things. And then when
I'm trying to pick myself out of a funk or
you know, just kind of feeling a little more inspired,
then I'll think about good times and there. And just
(02:30):
like anyone in any family, you know, I don't think
it matters if you come from a musical family, a
family of doctors, a family of plumbers, of family you know,
a secretaries. It's just like every family has some dysfunction
and the one thread I think was music and that
(02:52):
we all feel and we're all tied together by each
member of my family. So music was very important to
our whole family, our whole lives. And I was you know,
I heard in the womb and grew up with it,
and it was kind of like an arrow I was following,
just like this is what I have to do. I know,
I know, this is my calling. And there were a
(03:13):
lot of wonderful influences.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
You know, as someone who's had personal struggles, how important
has music been in helping you through those challenges?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Well, I mean that's that's a great that's a great question,
and it's it's it's more like a for me, it's
like a statement. You know. It's like music helps you
get through the good times and the bad times. It's
like you music is healing, you know, especially harmony for me,
So when I want to feel spiritual or grounded or
(03:49):
calm and serene, you know, I put on the Eagles
and or or any group that has beautiful harmony, Steely
Dan and Dewey Brothers, the Beach Boys, you know, and
I listen to the harmony and I just I feel
or you know, Little River Band, you know, and I
feel like like something's being like connected again, you know.
(04:11):
And it doesn't mean that it's the answer every time,
but there's definitely a there's definitely a place that it's
a purpose that it serves, and it's usually to help
lift my spirits, or it's usually to call me, or
it's usually or or it can be just like you know,
when I'm cooking and I put on like to be
(04:31):
fifty twos and then I start, you know, dancing around
my kitchen and start like you know, singing and feeling happy.
Or I blasted in my car, you know, I love
love blasting music in my car. I mean, you got
to be careful with like you know, fire rages or
anything like that. But like, I play my music really
fucking loud in my car because I have a great
stereo and I love to hear it blasting. I love
(04:54):
the bass. I want to hear it. I want to
feel it in my butt sheeks, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
That's really weird to say.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
I think it's sensational to say, you know, you have
this knack. I've observed you through your media career, your
television career. I've observed it with sounds Delicious the New show.
You have this knack for making your guests and those
around you comfortable. Who did you learn this from?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Well, that's nice of you to say, but I don't know.
I mean, I think it goes back to like actually
like childhood, like being being the person that was like
teased and bullied and you know, made to feel like
I was there was something wrong with me because I
was overweight. For real, I really think that it was
(05:50):
self taught because my mom is very warm and very
open and you know, and we are as a family.
Because it's just personalities too. I mean, I mean, when
you come down to and it comes down to it,
it's just personality, right. Some people are more shy and outgoing,
and some people also have the ability to read people.
And I do think I have that ability. But at
the same time, I think it's it's about like I
(06:14):
want to feel accepted and comfortable, and so I want
that for other people. I tend to, like, well, first off,
I overanalyze everything, so like I might think I know
the answer, like, oh, I know how that person's feeling
because I can tell by it to look in their
eyes or their body language, you know, And so I
assess it, and then I'm like, well, what's the situation here?
Are we like having are we just having a conversation
(06:36):
at a party? Are we at dinner? Are we are
we at a workplace? Are we having fun? Are we?
And it's like, for me, it's just about connection. I
really ultimately think that I crave, I crave and I
yearn you know, to like connect with people because everybody
has like special qualities and I love learning from people
(07:00):
and like taking them in and really like seeing like
everybody's individual, but we're kind of all the same. It's
a trip.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
But you're a good listener also, I.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Mean I try to be. I've learned that through my sobriety.
I've learned that through maturity, having children, you know, because
I know, and my husband, my husband, because because he
would we would argue we've been married for almost twenty
five years or twenty four years, and like we he
(07:32):
would say to me, you're not listening to me, and
I'd be like, well, wait a minute, maybe I'm not,
you know, And so I'd have to shut up, shut
my fucking pie hole, you know, and take a breath
and like say, geez, I am not I'm trying to
get my point across, and I'm driving it into I'm
(07:54):
like drilling it into his trying to drill it in
his brain. But it's not fair, like he has a
point of view. It's not fair to be selfish like that,
you know. So listening to other people is I think
the opposite of being selfish. It's easy to do. It's
easy to be me, me, me, me, you know, and
being your own your own feelings. But having children as well,
(08:19):
I mean it's like I think, I know it's best
for them, and they are their own person, and I
have to learn from them and listen to them too.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Who are some interviewers or hosts that have had an
impact and an influence on you?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Interviewers are hosts? That's the hard question. I've never been
asked that question, and I probably would need more time
with that one. Truthfully, I've done hundreds of interviews, and
hundreds I think when I talk with people that are
mothers or their or their alcoholics, you know, I think
(08:53):
I definitely relate to people like that because they're like,
they're like the most challenging thing ever, you know. Sobriety
is challenging, motherhood is challenging. But I don't know. I
have to think about that more. I think, how about.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Three quintessential albums that have impacted you to this day?
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Oh god, that's hard. That is almost an unfair question. Okay, four,
I have such a My taste in music is so
it's so vast. You know, there's just I love. Okay,
So the B fifty two is the first record that
(09:36):
one for sure dances mess Around is like like like
a ridiculous song that completely blows my mind and rock
lobster like turned me up upside down and still does.
I love pet sounds. I know that sounds like it's
totally expected for me to say that. But when I
(09:57):
listen to that record, I don't listen to it for
like the hype. I listened to it because it's so
so deep and uh, oh god, this is really hard.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
It is hard making choices. I agree.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
I mean, I mean, you know, like I love we
could just say like the best of so, you know,
I mean Asia by Steely Dan That's another whopper. I
love the Dowie Brothers so much and and I love Heart.
But yeah, I mean, there's there, there are there are
a lot of records. Diva Andy Lennox Diva. That whole
(10:37):
album is like off, It's off the scale, just production wise, sonically,
her voice, the songwriting, her singing. I mean, Diva is
to me, it was just it just was like it
just transcends, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
So talk about how Wilson Phillips was was formed and
how you all decided to get that signature sound that
was and is Wilson Phillips.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Well, I was out of high school and I was
I made a decision to not go to college. I
made a decision to jump into the industry as an actress.
But I was obsessed with singing and harmony, and I
was a stoner. I was. I was really like I
(11:25):
just wanted to party. I wanted to smoke pod all day,
all day long and just like listen to music. And
the CD had just came out and it was an
unbelievable sound, and I was just really like really in
a party, party, party phase. But I was very obsessed
with music. And you know, China and When and I
(11:46):
have always been friends since you know, birth, so it
was natural to see each other, but we hadn't seen
each other in a while, a few years, I think,
and there was an idea to do a charity record
with some other sixties artists kids, and only a few
people wanted to do it. And it was Wendy China
(12:06):
and Mama Cass's daughter, and we all kind of sat
around and you know, we take in between our bong hits,
we just like would listen to like Stevie Nicks and
Heart and and we China didn't even know how to
sing harmony, and it was I was really like obsessed
with like getting everybody like, Okay, let's let's sit around here.
(12:28):
I'm going to take the low part. When do you
sing the high part? Here's your part, China, and we
just like started vocalizing and singing the songs that we
were listening to, and it was like we were trying
to imitate it. And I'm sure the harmony parts weren't exact,
but there was a sound that we were just completely
like wow. When the three when the three of us
in particular saying at three part harmony, it was like
(12:51):
it was another voice that that emerged. It was like
another it was like a separate voice between you know,
besides the three of us. It became one and it
was really really apparent, and my mom heard us through
the through the ceiling, and she was like she came
downstairs and she said, what are you guys doing? And
we said, we're singing harmony of Mama, you know, we're
(13:12):
singing harmony. And she goes, do you know how great
you sound together? Like really? Do you what is that?
She heard the sound, you know? And I'm grateful that
she was there that day because she's she confirmed what
we were all feeling, you know what I mean. And
she said, what are you going to do about it?
And we were like, why dould you mean you know?
And we said, we have no clue. We just we
(13:33):
were singing, you know, Stevie Nick's songs from from Wildheart
and Bella Donna and we're like, okay, we sound amazing
now what you know? And then we called up a
producer that Michelle knew, Richard Perry, who is very famous
some of the best records of all time He produced,
you know, I mean, and and we went to his
(13:53):
house and we and you know, he rolled a joint
and we you know, mutual Stoner's fellow, my spale of Stoner,
and we just like started singing and he was just like,
I just can't believe what I'm hearing. You know, and
got in the studio and he hooked us up with
Glenn Ballard. We started writing songs with Glenn, and then
(14:14):
before we knew it, we were in front of like
nine record companies fighting to sign us. And it was
an absolute insanely fortunate position to be in. But we
worked really hard at it for four years, writing songs
and getting our shit together, you know, and realizing we
are a group, we're a vocal group, we want to
(14:36):
make a record, and SBK signed us and we were
off for the races.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
What's it like when your music becomes part of you know,
pop culture specifically, you know, your music being in Bridesmaids.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Well, I mean all the years that we've been you know,
the music's been on the radio, and all the records
that we sold, and we were never a touring band,
but we did tour, but we it was more about
the impact I think that the music had on people.
You know, It's it's more I feel like it's it's
(15:18):
the songs like hold On and Release Me and You're
in Love and I feel like those songs, you know,
they were number one records. But at the same time,
I think it goes much deeper than just a chart
and climbing up the charts and whatever it is. I mean,
we worked really hard to get like every radio station
you know, to play us and everything. But I'm glad
we did that because we did get I mean back
(15:39):
in the day when we were making records, when we
were you know, first promoting the record and when it
was released, it took the people to hear the record
and call in to request it to get the spins.
And then once the spins happened, you know, then then
you got the ads, and the ads would then they
would that would make you rise on the charts. So
it was like this domino effect. It wasn't like some
(16:02):
like Oz, you know, pulling the string going okay, you
got number one record. You had to sell records, and
you had to have your records being they were called
spins you know, on the on those radio stations. And
it's not like that anymore. And it's just it's not
that it's bad, it's just it's just different. But but
(16:22):
we could really it was like palpable, you know, to
feel the public's embrace and the meaning that the songs
had in their lives. That's that's the part that is
the most important thing. I mean, I'm in my office
here and I'm looking at you know, like fifty different
gold albums on the wall or maybe thirty, you know,
(16:46):
and and different you know, accolades and all the awards,
you know, and I have all my awards and everything,
and and don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful feeling
to see that because it's like this like recognition and everything. Well,
and then I go, well, right, that's just a number
of what we sold. But the truth is, when I
really like look into it, it's like, Okay, I see
(17:11):
ten million records in the United States. That means that
ten million people, ten million people took money out of
their wallets and bought the fucking record. And whether they
listened to it once or it became like an anthem
or became something that saved their life, which I've heard
many times, that is extraordinary. And I do not and
(17:35):
will never take that for granted.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
I got chills what you're talking about it, you know. Yeah, yeah,
So you're having a blast with Sounds Delicious Tuesday's nine
pm Pacific Encore episodes Saturdays and Sundays on Axis. Tell
me how much fun you're having?
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Well, I mean, you asked me if I preferred singing
or cooking. I swear I don't know. I think that's
why the show is what it is. It's both and
it's and it's music and because when I cook, I sing,
I love music. I play music, and and then it's
just it's inspiring, you know, both inspire me. I found
(18:15):
my passion in cooking and baking and feeding other people,
you know, And I think I want, I secretly want
to like tell people like you do that too, because
the feeling is so great and food is very meaningful
to me in my family and in my life, you know.
So it's it's been it's been a battle, you know,
(18:38):
not it's been a struggle to be heavy set and
like be addicted to food, you know, and then being
able to celebrate it at the same time and having
you know, just like regulator, like a like a like
a limit. And so I can listen to as much
(19:00):
music as I want, I can sing as much as
I want, you know, forever, but I can't eat as
much as I want. I can't eat all the foods
that I want. And so when I'm in the kitchen
and you know, like you said, connecting with the guests
on the show, Like I feel, it's that satisfying and
(19:20):
it's that gratifying, so it gives me the same pleasure.
But I know, I mean, I know that answer was
all over the place. But really, truthfully, it's like singing
and cooking and music and cooking are somehow tied together
for me, and they're the most important things in my life.
My children of course the number one of course. But
(19:43):
it's funny because my kids love food and love cooking
and love singing. So you know, we cook together, we
bake together, we sing together. That's my family, that's my friends.
So it's like when I do this show, when I
do these episodes that the guests come on and we
share that love of music and love of cooking and
(20:04):
love of eating, and it's it's the best.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
What was it like working with that shy flower of
an individual named d Snyder.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
He's so amazing. I just you know, it's like he's
so I mean, out of all the guests, really, he's
he's just had so much life experience too, you know
what I mean, And he is I mean, every guest
is special in their own way. I mean, I really
love everybody that was on the show so very much.
They're so sweet and really great people. I mean, I
(20:39):
surround myself with good peeps. I don't like assholes, I
don't like dicks, I don't like phony people. I like
real good people. And I like spirited people and passionate people.
And d d is you know, funny and strong and
you know he has a voice, not just as a
(21:01):
singer and as an entertainer, but you know, he has
strong beliefs and he's a good man. You know, he's
a grandpa. He's a husband of a long marriage and
I respect him. And he's just fucking funny.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
You know, he is, he's he's he is a rare breed.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
He is.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
And some of your other guests, Mark McGrath terrific a,
Lisa Loebe. Who are some new targets maybe you're thinking of, Well, I.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Mean, I would love to have my friend Joey from
and Sink Joey Fatone. He's one of my best friends.
And he was not he was, you know, on tour
traveling and there were there were a few people that
couldn't come because they were on tour. And you know,
Paul McCartney, they they said that he really wanted to
do it. And that's who I'm waiting for, is Paul.
(21:53):
I want to talk about when he came over in
my house and what happened when he came over and
we sang at the piano together Andton John, you know,
I mean Elton John picked me up and put me
back in my crib when I was when I was
a toddler. It's like, That's the thing that's so cool,
is you got I've got these stories because of my life,
and I want to I know, Paul loves food. He's
(22:16):
a vegetarian. His daughter's a vegan Mary. They love food,
and you know, you want to cook quen wha, you
want to cook a steak, Let's go, you know. But like,
who's going to be able to talk about the time
that Paul McCartney came over when I was a kid
and we saying my Bonnie lies over the ocean at
(22:36):
the piano. It's so cool.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
Wow, I love it, CARNEYE. In closing, is there career
satisfaction you are still hoping to achieve?
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Well, I mean I have a lot of personal I
have like insecurities, you know. I mean sometimes when I
go to the movies and I see movies and I
watch a TV show and I, you know, I see
the actresses, actors part of me, and the roles and
the scripts and the stories, and I think like, wow,
you know, I wish I wish I had that role.
(23:12):
I wish that I did that. And I think there's
just this roadblock, this block that I that I just
it's like a sabotage, you know. I mean, one day,
who knows, maybe I'll break down that barrier and and
just like find that part of me that's willing to
be vulnerable and do that. So that's definitely something. But
(23:34):
I you know, I kind of love being in the
kitchen and if I can continue doing that and and
monetizing that, I mean, it's I don't have an education.
I mean I never saved money. I have to work
like other people do. And people might find that surprising,
but I don't care. It is what it is, and
(23:55):
that's what makes me human. And you know, I know
how to make money. I don't know to save money.
I can tell you that I don't know. I like
my little you know, I like my my lifestyle, but
you know, health first, family first, food, music first, and
that's what keeps me happy. So I'm open to what's next, don't.
(24:21):
I don't know what's next, and my mom always says
to me, you never know what's around the corner, so
don't be afraid to look.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Carnie Wilson, Oh You're the best. Sounds Delicious Tuesday's nine
pm Pacific, Encore episodes Saturday and Sunday. Carney, thanks for
being on Taking a Walk.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Oh You're so sweet. It was so great to talk
with you. And thank you to you and your listeners
and everything. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
I'm buzz Night and thanks for listening to the Taking
a Walk podcast. Now, please check out our companion podcast
produced by Buzznight Media Productions with your host Lynn Hoffman,
music Save Me showcasing the healing power of music, and
comedy Save Me shining a light on how laughter is
the best medicine. All shows are available on Apple Podcasts,
(25:17):
Spotify and are part of the iHeart podcast network.
A Walk on Buzz Night and in March here this
Women's History Month, were honoring women who have lived their
truth out loud and never stopped fighting for themselves. My
guest today on this Encore episode first captured the world's
heart as one third of Wilson Phillips, one of the
most successful vocal groups in pop history, but her journey
(00:23):
didn't stop at the top of the charts. She faced
her battles publicly with courage and transparency on body image,
mental health, and what it really means to grow into yourself.
Carne Wilson has never hidden from the hard stuff, and
that honesty, that willingness to be seen has made her
a voice for so many women who needed to hear
(00:45):
that they weren't alone. This has taken a Walk, and
today we talk about life beyond the stage and everything
that makes it worth living. Carnee Wilson is next. She
wrote the book Taking a Walk. Carnie Wilson. How is
your dad doing?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
He's doing very well. It's his birthday today and he's
doing great. He's just uh, you know, he's getting older,
and every day there's a new little surprise, little you know,
there's there's moving forward there's setbacks, there's all kinds of stuff,
and I guess that's just how we are in life.
(01:27):
So he's so loved and he knows that, and and
I really I think he's improving. I think he's doing great.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
How did growing up with your dad shape your musical
journey and aspirations?
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Well, I mean, my parents divorced when I was young,
so I have I have quite a few memories, and
there's a lot of special ones. And depending on how
like how I am, you know, like mentally that day
or spiritually that day, often I reflect, you know, and
(02:06):
when I'm feeling shitty or just feeling like, I don't know,
impatient or in self pity or something like that, then
I tend to think about negative things. And then when
I'm trying to pick myself out of a funk or
you know, just kind of feeling a little more inspired,
then I'll think about good times and there. And just
(02:30):
like anyone in any family, you know, I don't think
it matters if you come from a musical family, a
family of doctors, a family of plumbers, of family you know,
a secretaries. It's just like every family has some dysfunction
and the one thread I think was music and that
(02:52):
we all feel and we're all tied together by each
member of my family. So music was very important to
our whole family, our whole lives. And I was you know,
I heard in the womb and grew up with it,
and it was kind of like an arrow I was following,
just like this is what I have to do. I know,
I know, this is my calling. And there were a
(03:13):
lot of wonderful influences.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
You know, as someone who's had personal struggles, how important
has music been in helping you through those challenges?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Well, I mean that's that's a great that's a great question,
and it's it's it's more like a for me, it's
like a statement. You know. It's like music helps you
get through the good times and the bad times. It's
like you music is healing, you know, especially harmony for me,
So when I want to feel spiritual or grounded or
(03:49):
calm and serene, you know, I put on the Eagles
and or or any group that has beautiful harmony, Steely
Dan and Dewey Brothers, the Beach Boys, you know, and
I listen to the harmony and I just I feel
or you know, Little River Band, you know, and I
feel like like something's being like connected again, you know.
(04:11):
And it doesn't mean that it's the answer every time,
but there's definitely a there's definitely a place that it's
a purpose that it serves, and it's usually to help
lift my spirits, or it's usually to call me, or
it's usually or or it can be just like you know,
when I'm cooking and I put on like to be
(04:31):
fifty twos and then I start, you know, dancing around
my kitchen and start like you know, singing and feeling happy.
Or I blasted in my car, you know, I love
love blasting music in my car. I mean, you got
to be careful with like you know, fire rages or
anything like that. But like, I play my music really
fucking loud in my car because I have a great
stereo and I love to hear it blasting. I love
(04:54):
the bass. I want to hear it. I want to
feel it in my butt sheeks, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
That's really weird to say.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
I think it's sensational to say, you know, you have
this knack. I've observed you through your media career, your
television career. I've observed it with sounds Delicious the New show.
You have this knack for making your guests and those
around you comfortable. Who did you learn this from?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Well, that's nice of you to say, but I don't know.
I mean, I think it goes back to like actually
like childhood, like being being the person that was like
teased and bullied and you know, made to feel like
I was there was something wrong with me because I
was overweight. For real, I really think that it was
(05:50):
self taught because my mom is very warm and very
open and you know, and we are as a family.
Because it's just personalities too. I mean, I mean, when
you come down to and it comes down to it,
it's just personality, right. Some people are more shy and outgoing,
and some people also have the ability to read people.
And I do think I have that ability. But at
the same time, I think it's it's about like I
(06:14):
want to feel accepted and comfortable, and so I want
that for other people. I tend to, like, well, first off,
I overanalyze everything, so like I might think I know
the answer, like, oh, I know how that person's feeling
because I can tell by it to look in their
eyes or their body language, you know, And so I
assess it, and then I'm like, well, what's the situation here?
Are we like having are we just having a conversation
(06:36):
at a party? Are we at dinner? Are we are
we at a workplace? Are we having fun? Are we?
And it's like, for me, it's just about connection. I
really ultimately think that I crave, I crave and I
yearn you know, to like connect with people because everybody
has like special qualities and I love learning from people
(07:00):
and like taking them in and really like seeing like
everybody's individual, but we're kind of all the same. It's
a trip.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
But you're a good listener also, I.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Mean I try to be. I've learned that through my sobriety.
I've learned that through maturity, having children, you know, because
I know, and my husband, my husband, because because he
would we would argue we've been married for almost twenty
five years or twenty four years, and like we he
(07:32):
would say to me, you're not listening to me, and
I'd be like, well, wait a minute, maybe I'm not,
you know, And so I'd have to shut up, shut
my fucking pie hole, you know, and take a breath
and like say, geez, I am not I'm trying to
get my point across, and I'm driving it into I'm
(07:54):
like drilling it into his trying to drill it in
his brain. But it's not fair, like he has a
point of view. It's not fair to be selfish like that,
you know. So listening to other people is I think
the opposite of being selfish. It's easy to do. It's
easy to be me, me, me, me, you know, and
being your own your own feelings. But having children as well,
(08:19):
I mean it's like I think, I know it's best
for them, and they are their own person, and I
have to learn from them and listen to them too.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Who are some interviewers or hosts that have had an
impact and an influence on you?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Interviewers are hosts? That's the hard question. I've never been
asked that question, and I probably would need more time
with that one. Truthfully, I've done hundreds of interviews, and
hundreds I think when I talk with people that are
mothers or their or their alcoholics, you know, I think
(08:53):
I definitely relate to people like that because they're like,
they're like the most challenging thing ever, you know. Sobriety
is challenging, motherhood is challenging. But I don't know. I
have to think about that more. I think, how about.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Three quintessential albums that have impacted you to this day?
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Oh god, that's hard. That is almost an unfair question. Okay, four,
I have such a My taste in music is so
it's so vast. You know, there's just I love. Okay,
So the B fifty two is the first record that
(09:36):
one for sure dances mess Around is like like like
a ridiculous song that completely blows my mind and rock
lobster like turned me up upside down and still does.
I love pet sounds. I know that sounds like it's
totally expected for me to say that. But when I
(09:57):
listen to that record, I don't listen to it for
like the hype. I listened to it because it's so
so deep and uh, oh god, this is really hard.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
It is hard making choices. I agree.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
I mean, I mean, you know, like I love we
could just say like the best of so, you know,
I mean Asia by Steely Dan That's another whopper. I
love the Dowie Brothers so much and and I love Heart.
But yeah, I mean, there's there, there are there are
a lot of records. Diva Andy Lennox Diva. That whole
(10:37):
album is like off, It's off the scale, just production wise, sonically,
her voice, the songwriting, her singing. I mean, Diva is
to me, it was just it just was like it
just transcends, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
So talk about how Wilson Phillips was was formed and
how you all decided to get that signature sound that
was and is Wilson Phillips.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Well, I was out of high school and I was
I made a decision to not go to college. I
made a decision to jump into the industry as an actress.
But I was obsessed with singing and harmony, and I
was a stoner. I was. I was really like I
(11:25):
just wanted to party. I wanted to smoke pod all day,
all day long and just like listen to music. And
the CD had just came out and it was an
unbelievable sound, and I was just really like really in
a party, party, party phase. But I was very obsessed
with music. And you know, China and When and I
(11:46):
have always been friends since you know, birth, so it
was natural to see each other, but we hadn't seen
each other in a while, a few years, I think,
and there was an idea to do a charity record
with some other sixties artists kids, and only a few
people wanted to do it. And it was Wendy China
(12:06):
and Mama Cass's daughter, and we all kind of sat
around and you know, we take in between our bong hits,
we just like would listen to like Stevie Nicks and
Heart and and we China didn't even know how to
sing harmony, and it was I was really like obsessed
with like getting everybody like, Okay, let's let's sit around here.
(12:28):
I'm going to take the low part. When do you
sing the high part? Here's your part, China, and we
just like started vocalizing and singing the songs that we
were listening to, and it was like we were trying
to imitate it. And I'm sure the harmony parts weren't exact,
but there was a sound that we were just completely
like wow. When the three when the three of us
in particular saying at three part harmony, it was like
(12:51):
it was another voice that that emerged. It was like
another it was like a separate voice between you know,
besides the three of us. It became one and it
was really really apparent, and my mom heard us through
the through the ceiling, and she was like she came
downstairs and she said, what are you guys doing? And
we said, we're singing harmony of Mama, you know, we're
(13:12):
singing harmony. And she goes, do you know how great
you sound together? Like really? Do you what is that?
She heard the sound, you know? And I'm grateful that
she was there that day because she's she confirmed what
we were all feeling, you know what I mean. And
she said, what are you going to do about it?
And we were like, why dould you mean you know?
And we said, we have no clue. We just we
(13:33):
were singing, you know, Stevie Nick's songs from from Wildheart
and Bella Donna and we're like, okay, we sound amazing
now what you know? And then we called up a
producer that Michelle knew, Richard Perry, who is very famous
some of the best records of all time He produced,
you know, I mean, and and we went to his
(13:53):
house and we and you know, he rolled a joint
and we you know, mutual Stoner's fellow, my spale of Stoner,
and we just like started singing and he was just like,
I just can't believe what I'm hearing. You know, and
got in the studio and he hooked us up with
Glenn Ballard. We started writing songs with Glenn, and then
(14:14):
before we knew it, we were in front of like
nine record companies fighting to sign us. And it was
an absolute insanely fortunate position to be in. But we
worked really hard at it for four years, writing songs
and getting our shit together, you know, and realizing we
are a group, we're a vocal group, we want to
(14:36):
make a record, and SBK signed us and we were
off for the races.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
What's it like when your music becomes part of you know,
pop culture specifically, you know, your music being in Bridesmaids.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Well, I mean all the years that we've been you know,
the music's been on the radio, and all the records
that we sold, and we were never a touring band,
but we did tour, but we it was more about
the impact I think that the music had on people.
You know, It's it's more I feel like it's it's
(15:18):
the songs like hold On and Release Me and You're
in Love and I feel like those songs, you know,
they were number one records. But at the same time,
I think it goes much deeper than just a chart
and climbing up the charts and whatever it is. I mean,
we worked really hard to get like every radio station
you know, to play us and everything. But I'm glad
we did that because we did get I mean back
(15:39):
in the day when we were making records, when we
were you know, first promoting the record and when it
was released, it took the people to hear the record
and call in to request it to get the spins.
And then once the spins happened, you know, then then
you got the ads, and the ads would then they
would that would make you rise on the charts. So
it was like this domino effect. It wasn't like some
(16:02):
like Oz, you know, pulling the string going okay, you
got number one record. You had to sell records, and
you had to have your records being they were called
spins you know, on the on those radio stations. And
it's not like that anymore. And it's just it's not
that it's bad, it's just it's just different. But but
(16:22):
we could really it was like palpable, you know, to
feel the public's embrace and the meaning that the songs
had in their lives. That's that's the part that is
the most important thing. I mean, I'm in my office
here and I'm looking at you know, like fifty different
gold albums on the wall or maybe thirty, you know,
(16:46):
and and different you know, accolades and all the awards,
you know, and I have all my awards and everything,
and and don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful feeling
to see that because it's like this like recognition and everything. Well,
and then I go, well, right, that's just a number
of what we sold. But the truth is, when I
really like look into it, it's like, Okay, I see
(17:11):
ten million records in the United States. That means that
ten million people, ten million people took money out of
their wallets and bought the fucking record. And whether they
listened to it once or it became like an anthem
or became something that saved their life, which I've heard
many times, that is extraordinary. And I do not and
(17:35):
will never take that for granted.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
I got chills what you're talking about it, you know. Yeah, yeah,
So you're having a blast with Sounds Delicious Tuesday's nine
pm Pacific Encore episodes Saturdays and Sundays on Axis. Tell
me how much fun you're having?
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Well, I mean, you asked me if I preferred singing
or cooking. I swear I don't know. I think that's
why the show is what it is. It's both and
it's and it's music and because when I cook, I sing,
I love music. I play music, and and then it's
just it's inspiring, you know, both inspire me. I found
(18:15):
my passion in cooking and baking and feeding other people,
you know, And I think I want, I secretly want
to like tell people like you do that too, because
the feeling is so great and food is very meaningful
to me in my family and in my life, you know.
So it's it's been it's been a battle, you know,
(18:38):
not it's been a struggle to be heavy set and
like be addicted to food, you know, and then being
able to celebrate it at the same time and having
you know, just like regulator, like a like a like
a limit. And so I can listen to as much
(19:00):
music as I want, I can sing as much as
I want, you know, forever, but I can't eat as
much as I want. I can't eat all the foods
that I want. And so when I'm in the kitchen
and you know, like you said, connecting with the guests
on the show, Like I feel, it's that satisfying and
(19:20):
it's that gratifying, so it gives me the same pleasure.
But I know, I mean, I know that answer was
all over the place. But really, truthfully, it's like singing
and cooking and music and cooking are somehow tied together
for me, and they're the most important things in my life.
My children of course the number one of course. But
(19:43):
it's funny because my kids love food and love cooking
and love singing. So you know, we cook together, we
bake together, we sing together. That's my family, that's my friends.
So it's like when I do this show, when I
do these episodes that the guests come on and we
share that love of music and love of cooking and
(20:04):
love of eating, and it's it's the best.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
What was it like working with that shy flower of
an individual named d Snyder.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
He's so amazing. I just you know, it's like he's
so I mean, out of all the guests, really, he's
he's just had so much life experience too, you know
what I mean, And he is I mean, every guest
is special in their own way. I mean, I really
love everybody that was on the show so very much.
They're so sweet and really great people. I mean, I
(20:39):
surround myself with good peeps. I don't like assholes, I
don't like dicks, I don't like phony people. I like
real good people. And I like spirited people and passionate people.
And d d is you know, funny and strong and
you know he has a voice, not just as a
(21:01):
singer and as an entertainer, but you know, he has
strong beliefs and he's a good man. You know, he's
a grandpa. He's a husband of a long marriage and
I respect him. And he's just fucking funny.
Speaker 1 (21:15):
You know, he is, he's he's he is a rare breed.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
He is.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
And some of your other guests, Mark McGrath terrific a,
Lisa Loebe. Who are some new targets maybe you're thinking of, Well, I.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Mean, I would love to have my friend Joey from
and Sink Joey Fatone. He's one of my best friends.
And he was not he was, you know, on tour
traveling and there were there were a few people that
couldn't come because they were on tour. And you know,
Paul McCartney, they they said that he really wanted to
do it. And that's who I'm waiting for, is Paul.
(21:53):
I want to talk about when he came over in
my house and what happened when he came over and
we sang at the piano together Andton John, you know,
I mean Elton John picked me up and put me
back in my crib when I was when I was
a toddler. It's like, That's the thing that's so cool,
is you got I've got these stories because of my life,
and I want to I know, Paul loves food. He's
(22:16):
a vegetarian. His daughter's a vegan Mary. They love food,
and you know, you want to cook quen wha, you
want to cook a steak, Let's go, you know. But like,
who's going to be able to talk about the time
that Paul McCartney came over when I was a kid
and we saying my Bonnie lies over the ocean at
(22:36):
the piano. It's so cool.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
Wow, I love it, CARNEYE. In closing, is there career
satisfaction you are still hoping to achieve?
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Well, I mean I have a lot of personal I
have like insecurities, you know. I mean sometimes when I
go to the movies and I see movies and I
watch a TV show and I, you know, I see
the actresses, actors part of me, and the roles and
the scripts and the stories, and I think like, wow,
you know, I wish I wish I had that role.
(23:12):
I wish that I did that. And I think there's
just this roadblock, this block that I that I just
it's like a sabotage, you know. I mean, one day,
who knows, maybe I'll break down that barrier and and
just like find that part of me that's willing to
be vulnerable and do that. So that's definitely something. But
(23:34):
I you know, I kind of love being in the
kitchen and if I can continue doing that and and
monetizing that, I mean, it's I don't have an education.
I mean I never saved money. I have to work
like other people do. And people might find that surprising,
but I don't care. It is what it is, and
(23:55):
that's what makes me human. And you know, I know
how to make money. I don't know to save money.
I can tell you that I don't know. I like
my little you know, I like my my lifestyle, but
you know, health first, family first, food, music first, and
that's what keeps me happy. So I'm open to what's next, don't.
(24:21):
I don't know what's next, and my mom always says
to me, you never know what's around the corner, so
don't be afraid to look.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Carnie Wilson, Oh You're the best. Sounds Delicious Tuesday's nine
pm Pacific, Encore episodes Saturday and Sunday. Carney, thanks for
being on Taking a Walk.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
Oh You're so sweet. It was so great to talk
with you. And thank you to you and your listeners
and everything. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
I'm buzz Night and thanks for listening to the Taking
a Walk podcast. Now, please check out our companion podcast
produced by Buzznight Media Productions with your host Lynn Hoffman,
music Save Me showcasing the healing power of music, and
comedy Save Me shining a light on how laughter is
the best medicine. All shows are available on Apple Podcasts,
(25:17):
Spotify and are part of the iHeart podcast network.
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com