Nine Questions

Don't miss the fabulous Ben Kweller when he performs at Club Congress at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30 ($15; 622-8848).

What was the first concert you ever saw?

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Born in the U.S.A. Tour, 1985, at Reunion Arena in Dallas. Funny, because I just bought a copy of Born in the U.S.A. the other day! I've been listening to it nonstop. At the same shop, I picked up six Nils Lofgren solo albums. I grew up on Nils' music, because he and my dad grew up together. In the early '80s, Nils joined the E Street band, which is why my family went to that concert in the first place!

What CDs are in your changer right now?

My newly mixed but unmastered album, Changing Horses (to be released in January '09); Prison Songs, spooky songs by prisoners ... from the 1940s; Exit 110, this band that gave me their CD at a hotel; Roger Miller, Greatest Hits; Neil Young, Harvest Moon.

How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes, 8-tracks)?

I never counted, but I'm sure it's close to 1,000 ... (including) six 8-track tapes!

Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?

Both. When Napster first came out, it was mainly a venue for fans to trade rarities and bootlegs. These days, I'll go to iTunes if I need the quick, instant gratification of a one-hit wonder or something, but that's rare, because I don't like MP3s!

What was the first album you owned?

Twisted Sister, Stay Hungry.

What song would you like to have played at your funeral?

The Beatles, "All You Need Is Love."

Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don't know about? What's your favorite guilty pleasure?

I suppose indie kids or music snobs would make fun of my slick Top 40 country CDs and my Color Me Badd, Shai and Erasure cassettes.

What band or artist changed your life, and how?

The Beatles made me write songs. Nirvana made me form a band.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Bob Dylan, Another Side of Bob Dylan.