The old saying, "the show must go on," bounced around Melissa Etheridge's head when a water main break caused a power outage in the Atlantic City casino she was set to play last week.
Etheridge opted to change concert halls in America's former playground rather than postpone the date.
That's not surprising, because it's difficult to stop the plucky singer-songwriter. Four months after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, Etheridge, sans hair and drained from chemotherapy, performed at the 2005 Grammys.
The lesbian icon has seen the breakup of one relationship and is on the road in the midst of an increasingly nasty divorce from wife Tammy Lynn Michaels. She's survived the ups and downs of the music industry, so she can live through a power outage and a shift of venue.
"I've been through a lot of things," Etheridge says while relaxing at the Showboat Casino hours before performing. "This is no big deal. I have a new album and a lot of songs to play."
Etheridge is touring behind "Fearless Love," which she will showcase Monday at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The album has big, anthemic songs with a message, which is what fans have been accustomed to since Etheridge broke 17 years ago.
The tune "Miss California" is a clear shot at pageant beauty Carrie Prejean's comments about gay marriage. Another, "We Are the Ones," proves that Etheridge is very much in President Barack Obama's camp.
"I have a lot to say with this album," she says. "There's so much going on in the world and in this country. The things that were said [by Prejean], well, somebody had to say something. But a lot of what I'm thinking and writing about is love. Romantic love is upside down for me. The notion of falling in love and being together forever doesn't always work out. There are other kinds of love. There is spiritual love and love for oneself. Love is certainly inspiring."
Etheridge's love songs are devoid of gender, a fact that hasn't pleased some gay and lesbian scribes. "I write the way I write because I'm singing for everyone," Etheridge says. "I don't see the point of singing for one group. I think society should include everyone and why shouldn't I feel the same way as a performer?"
The masses have embraced Etheridge. She's sold 27 million albums worldwide and 14 million in America, proving that she has a strong fan base.
"I know how fortunate I am," she says. "I appreciate everyone who has supported me. It validates the choice I've made to make music. I hope I inspire people to pick up the guitar and live their dream."
