Cathy Grier Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI image by Ty Helbach

Cathy Grier Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI image by Ty Helbach

L-R Hans Christian, Cathy Grier, Jamey Clark, Mike Fordney and Deirdre Fellner by Suzi Johnson Hass

 
 

Cathy Grier

At an early age Cathy loved the Blues and had a chance encounter when she was 17 with John Lee Hooker. As a young social activist, Cathy learned you can write about the environment and a breakup at the same time (recalling Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi) and loves to be socially conscious in her songwriting. She believes music is a healer and a powerful tool that crosses boundaries to help diffuse ignorance and hate. Her love of performing the Blues has found a home in Wisconsin!

Cathy Grier’s four decade long career is a rich musical tapestry with highlights ranging from an MTV video in the 80’s, opening up for legendary artists Laura Nyro, The Band, and Joan Armatrading. She Lived in France in the 90’s, toured and wrote for many artists, including a #1 dance hit. In 2019 Cathy wrote a Blues score for Documentary film “My First And Last Film,”

Cathy spent 20 years in New York mostly performing under the name NYC Subway Girl as part of the Music Under New York Program, and was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, and performed at legendary Avery Fisher Hall. She created “The Inspiration Project,” a video mini-doc series, where she asks passersby a simple yet complex question “What inspires you?” 

Cathy Grier + the Troublemakers recorded and released “I’m All Burn,” a 16-song full production album (July 2020 on CG Music Works label). Recorded at Makin’ Sausage Music in Milwaukee, it features the Troublemakers and many notables in the Blues world. The album has received wide range airplay nationally and internationally and on the 2021 top 100 RMR Contemporary Blues chart. It reached #1 for multiple weeks on the Wisconsin blues charts. They have performed at Summerfest since 2017. Cathy Grier + The Troublemakers band represented Paramount Music Association and Wisconsin at the IBC International Blues Challenge (IBC) 2022 semi-finalists.

Cathy moved to Sturgeon Bay after meeting bassist Tony Menzer during a Blues night he hosted at Badger Bowl in Madison in the fall of 2015. A call from melaniejane and pat mAcdonald invited her to participate in the Steel Bridge Song Fest in Sturgeon Bay, WI in June of 2016. That chance opportunity turned into the unexpected residence full time in Sturgeon Bay.  Her love of performing the Blues has found a home in Wisconsin. She represented Paramount Music Association (Grafton) as a Soloist International Blues Challenge (IBC) in 2018. She formed the band Troublemaker’s in 2017 for her first Summerfest, and continue to perform there every year. Cathy Grier’s undeniably powerful voice accompanied by tasty Blues guitar stylings affirms her place on the world stage.

Links to articles about Cathy Grier and the Troublemakers “I’m All Burn”