by Jennifer Jonassen

"...You need a great big woman. No diet plate woman. No slim fast woman. You need a great big woman to show you how to love..." Lyrics by Candye Kane: singer, songwriter and political activist whose career has spanned more than two decades! She has appeared on television shows like Queen Latifah, Roseanne and HBO Real Sex. She has released eight CDs and is featured in Rolling Stone Magazines Guide to Jazz and Blues. And she is one of my all-time favorite champions of size acceptance!

I have been listening to Candye Kane's music for many years now-originally drawn to her songs because they radiated a self-confidence and unabashed sexuality that I had never heard before from a woman over a size two in this country! She instantly became a hero of mine so you can imagine how excited I was to meet her a few years back in San Diego.

Each year, Candye travels the globe spreading her message of self-acceptance and dare I say it: love. Her music is as big, as sexy and as powerful as she is and if you haven't heard one of her CDs I suggest you hit her website right now and listen to some of her tunes!

JJ: When did you start singing? What makes you continue to perform?

CK: I have always been a singer since I was a five-year old girl. I discovered early that strangers would give me positive attention if I sang. I had a troubled home life and so singing brought me the praise and instant affection I needed. I performed in church, amateur shows like the gong show and the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Now eight nationally released CDs and twenty years have gone by. I still perform because I love singing and its part of how I communicate with the world. I also have to support myself and am lucky to support myself doing what I love - singing and writing positive affirmation songs and still performing them for anyone who will listen. ?