After Record Deal, Lucinda Williams Reminds Herself Discipline’s Necessary

Just days after signing the record deal that she always coveted, Lucinda Williams quickly put her new life in perspective.

“Now I have a responsibility,” said Williams, 37, of Burbank, last week after signing a six-record contract with RCA. “I never thought about music that way. Actually getting paid is great. . . . I will have to be more disciplined about it.”

Williams, who starts recording in April, will perform at Santa Monica’s At My Place on March 8. Known for a distinctive blend of folk, country and blues, she hopes the contract won’t force her to compromise her creativity. Her most recent compilation, titled “Lucinda Williams” and released in 1988, received critical praise. She then toured the United States and Europe, playing briefly with the Cowboy Junkies.

“I have to keep reminding myself that I am writing for myself,” Williams said, “not for the record company or anyone else. You can’t worry about whether they will be hits or on the radio. If you go in with the attitude of everything having to be a hit, then you can easily lose control of the reasons you started writing for in the first place.”

Williams moved to California six years ago and misses her former home, Austin, Tex., where she claims country artists weren’t always as preoccupied with becoming famous. “Nobody there had record deals,” Williams said, “and every gig wasn’t always a showcase. There was more camaraderie. Everyone would listen to each other’s songs. There aren’t many places to do that around here.”

Lucinda Williams will perform at Santa Monica’s At My Place, 1026 Wilshire Blvd., on March 8. Tickets cost $13.25. The show begins at 8 p.m.

The special Valentine’s Day benefit concert at Mancini’s Restaurant in Canoga Park for patients with AIDS and other blood disorders raised $1,600, according to Nancee Lee, an AIDS therapist.

Lee, who arranged for the appearance of bassist Jerry Dixon from the popular band Warrant, said that even though 200 people showed up, a lot of the money from the ticket sales went to security, food and other expenses.

Lee said the profit will go toward the opening of the Bobbie Andelson Youth Home in the Wilshire District. The home, which will care for teen-agers with the AIDS virus, needs about $60,000 to open. It will offer school, sports, art, music and psychological support services.

“What we got is a drop in the bucket when you need $60,000,” Lee said. “I just hope we can find the money elsewhere.”

She said she is busily organizing other benefits, including one at Sasch in Studio City, but details remain sketchy.

Poet Scott Wannberg doesn’t pretend to rehearse his spoken-word performances.

“I never really know what I’m going to do,” said Wannberg, 37, of West Los Angeles, who will appear at BeBop Records and Fine Art in Reseda on March 22. “Maybe I’ll rap, maybe I’ll do some readings, or maybe I’ll do a cappella. I’ll find out while I’m doing it.”

Wannberg used to give traditional poetry readings until last year when friends persuaded him to combine his poetry with music. Since then, he has toured New Mexico and Colorado, with future trips planned.

Scott Wannberg will give a spoken - word performance at BeBop Records and Fine Art, 18433 Sherman Way, Reseda. A donation is requested. The show begins at 8 p.m.