Artist Spotlight:
Cathy Miller & Jim Gill
We are very pleased to introduce to you two of the hardest working musicians in the area. We are equally pleased to enjoy Cathy's talents on our teaching staff here at the store. Cathy and Jim play extensively at many area clubs and venues including right across the street from our store at Sully's. They can also be seen playing on the square and many other outdoor venues in the summertime. For their concert schedule, and to hear their music visit:
1. You both performed solo before forming this duo, how did you two
meet up, and what inspired you to put the two acts together?
Jim and I met at a show in Lakewood at The Winchester Music Hall when he opened for a band I was in. I really liked what he was doing, and he liked my sound too. We started playing together the very next week (at Sully's in Medina) in July 2010, and it took off from there. Since then, we have released four cds together.
2. I know that you guys have the opportunity to play in a lot of
concert settings, but when you are playing in a club setting how do you
keep a balance between what you want to play, and what the audience
expects to hear?
We work very hard to read the room and determine what style and pacing is most likely to be received well. Most of the covers that we play we have chosen because they are something that we both enjoy. We always cherish the opportunity to play for an attentive audience, but when we are in a noisy bar, we work to engage as many tables and patrons as we can. Sometimes this means pulling out those tunes that everybody expects to hear, but with a different sort of twist.
3. You both look very comfortable when you perform, do you have any
tips for those who struggle with performance anxiety?
Comfort comes with repetition. The more often you put yourself out in front of people, the more you become accustomed to how that feels. You also develop means of coping with the anxiety that sometimes comes along with performance. If you have severe performance anxiety, it's likely due to a fear of feeling as though you are going to fail. You have to give yourself permission to not be perfect every time -- and then work towards being better the next time you get up there.
4. As working musicians, do you have any words of encouragement for
artists that feel like there's no money in music?
If you are going into music to make millions, you will be sorely disappointed. I make the majority of my income teaching, and gigs help to augment that. You have to be willing to work in a variety of environments, including performing school programs and playing gigs that may not be the most fulfilling, but make the rent.
5. What's your most memorable performance?
That can be taken two ways -- the best or the worst. The worst that we played together had to be the performance in a parking lot with a Ford parked right in front of our "stage".
As for best, I'd have to say our concert in Medina Square this past summer may have been one of our best. We both played extremely well, it was a beautiful day, and we got to play outdoors in a gorgeous setting for an attentive audience. It was also recorded by Armstrong Cable and played on the local cable channel for a few months. That was a lovely show.
