Ari Gold is delighted with where the music has taken him

By Mary Meehan mmeehan1@herald-leader.com

Ari Gold has a hard time picking out a singular, stellar moment in his ever-rising career. After all, the Bronx-born singer-composer has opened for Chaka Khan, appeared in a Cyndi Lauper video and collaborated with Boy George.

Gold's appearance Friday at the Lexington Fairness Awards is his first performance in Lexington, although he has toured in Europe and Canada.

It also is the first time that Lexington Fairness has given out awards to honor outstanding contributions in support of the gay community.

That makes it a fitting platform for Gold. He has been honored for his musical skills — Where the Music Takes You won grand prize in a songwriting contest — and the accompanying video was voted No. 1 in 2007 on Logo, the cable television network aimed at gays and lesbians.

His personal activism for charitable organizations and his decision to come out as gay when he dropped his first, self-titled album in 2000 helped him make Out magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in 2007.

A little groggy from a mid-afternoon nap, Gold recently talked about his career, his music and whether the right man could get him to call Kentucky home.

Question: Was deciding to be openly gay from the start sort of a no-brainer or more of a conscious decision?

Answer: It came in tandem and just coming out in my personal life. I always wrote about what was going on in my life so (it was like) I've got to write about this now. I was aware that there wasn't really anyone who is writing about it. I felt even more so that it was my responsibility to do it.

I don't know if I was conscious about how big of a deal it was. Sort of now I see it that it was a gift.

Q: What sort of feedback do you hear from your fans?

A: The response from fans and ­audience has been overwhelmingly ­positive. I get letters all the time from people of all ages who are either coming out or they wish they had somebody like myself when they were coming out.

There were also a lot of negative responses from industry professionals who thought I shouldn't come out. I bumped heads with some people who wanted to package me in a different way.

Q: What are some of your musical inspirations?

A: I love R&B and soul. Stevie Wonder is a king for me, I think. I love a lot of the female singers, Mary J. Blige, ­Chaka Khan, even Brandy. I love so many different artists. It all kind of inspires me. ... Madonna has been an inspiration in the way that she is always wanting to say something with her music.

Q: What story are you trying to tell with the latest album, Transport Systems?

A: Definitely the theme of movement and progression kept coming up in the writing process. I really wanted to move forward past some of the pain and shame I have experienced in my life.

I thought that was an important message for all gay people, because most of us grew up thinking it wasn't OK to be gay. We are all trying to move into that next place where we gain more acceptance in our rights, but more importantly, move past our own internalized shame.

Q: What has been that singular, ”I can't believe I'm here“ moment in your career so far?

A: There have been so many great things that have happened. I love going out on the road and performing for people. I love recording and being in the studio, and that is a very private process.

My single that is out now won the grand prize in the USA Songwriter Competition — when I got the call, I felt like I won the lottery. I worked with Boy George, who was one of my idols. ...

I just shot a little cameo in Cyndi Lauper's video and just sang karaoke with her at a party. RuPaul is actually a really good friend of mine, and he was a total inspiration for me.

Q: Do you have a dream gig still on the horizon?

A: A fan sent me a photo of Radio City Music Hall, and he PhotoShopped my name on the marquee. I use the photo as my desktop screensaver. I haven't made it to Radio City yet.

Q: Lexington was voted by Advocate magazine as one of the top 10 places for gays and lesbians to live. Any chance you'll settle down and buy a horse farm?

A: Well, maybe if I find that special someone to do that with. Right now I've got a pretty good setup living alone in New York. But if you find that special person, anything is possible.