Melissa Etheridge: New album gave her self-confidence

>> melissa ethridge became a household name and earned a devoted following of fans.

>> her music scored her two grammys and an oscar. she is out with her 12th studio album called "fourth street feeling."

>> we are happy to have you here.

>> you were performing last night and managed to get up and get dressed and make it here?

>> that's rock and roll .

>> and she is not singing for us this morning.

>> i can't talk. i'm doing the show tomorrow night.

>> does it get harder or easier? you know what you're capable of.

>> there is a certain amount of self-confidence. finally, i truly believe that the people pay really good money to see me really want to see me.

>> and deserve to see you at your best.

>> and frees me up to enjoying it.

>> you said doing this album, this particular cd, i remember when they were records, it was your favorite recording experience ever. tell us why.

>> a lot had to do with the self-confidence of going in. this is my 12th album and it's been 25 years doing this. i thought this one i'm going to make all the music that i love. i played all the guitars. i love it because i believe that my fans want me to love the music i make.

>> i went to one of your concerts, the aarp one. but a lot of people were watching it waiting to hear their favorites. you played a lot of your new stuff and it was contagious. who do you think this music is for? your new stuff?

>> i think there is an audience out there. it's not age. you can't put an age on it becae my kids search for it. i have teenagers now. they search for the things that spark them, the real things . my music is for the music listener who loves the art form and wants to be moved by the music , by the lyrics, by the performance, by the emotion. that's what it's for.

>> a lot of us remember you. so many memorable concerts, but probably the most memorable was shortly after your breast cancer treatment . you got on stage.

>> at the grams.

>> it was so moving. it's been how many years now for you?

>> it's going on nine. eight years ago was the grammys.

>> when you look back at that. it was a monumental moment. what's it like looking back at that time?

>> that was such a personal moment for me. it was the first time what is out in public since the treatments. i just finished my last one a week or maybe two weeks before.

>> it hadn't ravaged your voice ?

>> no. the voice , i was able -- it's a rock and roll voice . the energy was the hardest part. i was really low on energy. so i came there, did my thing. did it and went home and got in bed before it even started airing.

>> boy, the accolades from that. number one, people enjoy your performance, and number two, the courage it took. hair, we are vy attached to our hair.

>> going through, i don't know how much your process was, but going through it, thinking with women, it's hard enough the breast cancer and everything, but the losing the hair is such oh, but not the hair. i felt honored to be able to stand up and go, it's okay. i'm not my hair.

>> it doesn't define me.

>> sure. to stand up and do that. that comes back to me every week someone comes up.

>> it was really memorable.

>> your music is great. what other stuff do you listen to that gets you off the couch, gets you moving?

>> any new performers you're crazy about?

>> i love we call the civil war music . the bang jose and fiddles and stuff. i love that. that's good. that's authentic music .

>> you know what else she likes? the song we just played.

>> i know she does.