MUSIC THE UNITER: Susan Buckley

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've started a new project. I've always believed that music, if nothing else, was one area where people who disagree on everything might find common ground. So, over the next several weeks (and probably longer), I'll do brief interviews with city, county, state, business and health care leaders about what kind of music they enjoy and why and share that with you. Maybe there's a politician you can't stand, but you find you like the same song. At least there, you can find something to talk about. Maybe. I'll compile some of this into a later Rock Column.

This came via e-mail through my colleague, Robert Warner, who asked the questions for me:

NAME: Susan Buckley

POSITION: Management/Program Analyst at  Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center; trustee wtih Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education

FAVORITE SONG: "Layla," by Derek & The Dominoes

WHY?: " Phenomenal music by some of the greatest musicians in the business; the incredible pain in Clapton's voice; and the story behind the song."

WHAT ELSE YOU LISTEN TO: "I listen to whatever suits my mood. Includes Doo Wop; rock of all kinds - country rock, hard rock, soft rock; blues; easy listening; country; and modern jazz."

ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD: "I have a vast and wide-ranging collection of music. I buy it for a variety or reasons including liking the musician or band and the recommendation of others. One way I use to expand my music collection is to buy the music of musicians who play for each other. I also buy music of local musicians or the genre when I travel. When I was in China last year I bought some Chinese music, including Buddhist monk chants.

"My most unique CD is a jazz CD by Dr. Jack Kevorkian (yes, that Dr. Kevorkian). I bought it at a mall in Dearborn, Michigan. My copy is special limited edition 4,183 of 5,000 produced). Dr. Kevorkian wrote the music. The title? 'A Very Still Life.'"

NOTE: Click here to read the Music the Uniter entry on Kellogg Arena's Kevin Schiebler. Click here to read the entry on Calhoun County candidate Jim Haadsma.

NOTE NOTE: Here's the plan on this project: As I work this summer interviewing candidates for the August primary, I'll ask them some of these questions. The rock column will be written sometime before the primary. There you go. Hey, if you're a business leader, public official, nonprofit chief or politician and happen to read this, take these questions and send me an e-mail at jhinkley@battlecr.gannett.com of your favorite songs and why, to save me some overtime and keep this list as diverse as possible.