Greetings from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin…
After an amazingly full performance schedule this summer, culminating with the super fun concert at Door Community Auditorium (DCA), I am now concentrating on finishing up a full production album featuring many guest stars (more on that in a future newsletter). The album entitled I'm All Burn should be released sometime this winter. The DCA concert was a goal of mine to achieve since moving to Door County. It's a lovely performance hall, and I brought in amazing musicians to be part of my Troublemakers band. I was able to produce a show of original songs in a concert setting. The first set was mostly acoustic with me performing in duets until the last song, when I brought everyone out before intermission. Here is that last song, What Fools Do (words/music by Cathy Grier), filmed by Aaron Fischer and he edited in some cool b-roll from our set-up and soundcheck.
This year I finished a blues score for a documentary film, now released, entitled My First And Last Film. It was a treat to see it up on the big screen during October's Milwaukee Film Festival at the iconic Oriental Theatre. Interestingly enough, the subject of the film started out to be about interviewing people turning 60, but along the way, director Tracey Thomas discovered a new terrain to navigate her life, and became the unexpected subject of her own film.
Here's the trailer with excerpts from my musical score:
Check out my music video of a Holiday song that I wrote inspired by my poodle Etta, entitled You're Not Here Blues. She passed away last October from a brain tumor. Due to the emotional nature of the project, it has taken me a year to complete. I put out a call for other's to share images of their beloved animals recently passed, and within 24 hours I had 52 images to insert within the video! The holidays can be very difficult without a loved one, and I hope somehow sharing the images and the video, will help people navigate the sadness. Here is my music video, including all those amazing beings. You're Not Here Blues:
I also have had the pleasure of writing 3 songs for a play entitled Glory Girls by playwright Elizabeth Diggs, It's the story of two beautiful, fearless, radical feminist sisters.Thursday December 19th, 7pm at Ensemble Studio Theatre in NYC (549 W52nd St). Admission is free. I'll be there to perform the songs during the reading.
I look forward to sharing with you the release of my upcoming record. You'll be the first to know : - )
You can always contact me through my website www.CathyGrier.com for more information.
Lastly, since I experienced my own milestone when I turned 60 in November, I want to acknowledge that I began performing professionally in 1978 and am so grateful and thankful to have a passion that has driven my career for so long. I thank you all for support that I have received, whether this is the first newsletter you have received from me or the 100th.
I wish you all a very Happy Holidays
Warm Regards,
Cathy
Sturgeon Bay, WI
December 16, 2019