February is freezing for my funny Valentine… but with stress and rough times, there’s some good music news: Thanks for the nominations in the 2021 Detroit Music Awards. I’ve received 4 nominations in the Rock/Pop and Classical category for Outstanding Instrumentalist for piano (Rock and Classical), Outstanding Songwriter (Rock/Pop) and Outstanding Vocalist (Rock/Pop). And Scott Dailey received a nomination for Outstanding Rock Instrumentalist for guitar. Thank you, it’s an honor to be among such great company. Congratulations to all musicians and artists on creating during the pandemic, too. https://www.detroitmusicawards.net/2021-nominees
Carolyn and Scott performing for “Sing it to Me” and for Italy tour
But stunned and so sad to hear we lost wonderful Patricia Izzo. Patty was magical and we worked together on many photos for my music albums and more. Patty’s friendship, care, artistic vision and warrior charm made Patty, and her art surreal and amazing with wildly original photo shoots! Besides being such a fabulous artist, Patricia’s family was the love of her life and the wonderful River’s Edge Gallery. Patty brought her heart to her art and life with madcap fun. I loved her, we all did – Patty made you feel like a million bucks, and she loved you right back!
From “Honesty” album cover- Patty Izzo
Crime of Passion – Carolyn Striho by Patty Izzo Patt Slack, Carolyn Striho and Patricia Izzo – River’s Edge Gallery Detroit Maiden Energy Book Opening 2019 – photo: Stacey Sherman
So sorry to hear about Chick Corea and Mary Wilson (Supremes). It’s hard to believe we lost these magnificent trailblazers of music. I was honored to have seen Chick Corea up close and personal when playing the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2009. And we were excited to perform “Keep Me Hangin’ On” by the Supremes at the 2019 Don Was’ Concert of Colors. And sad news on Detroit DJ Jerry Lubin, a wonderful man on the air and off. Jerry was so influential when I listened as a little girl to WABX-FM
Union Street Detroit closed! We had album releases, New year’s Eve gigs, birthdays, music meetings, dragon eggs, marvelous drinks, dancing on the bar, the place to stop before/after shows at Majestic, Magic Stick, and C Pop. When John Belushi’s brother, Jim, lost his cell phone there and I found it for him when Detroit hosted the Superbowl. And of course the lunches with Patti Smith and Freddie Brooks and our “Secrets and Space” album release and photo shoots. Sigh…
I’m finishing up my song “I Will Rise” with Scott, with a video, some razor sharp guitar songs on electric, and can’t wait to record more! With shows slowly being booked at clubs late this year 2021 and a return to festivals with a full band., The U.K. festival is back on at Isle of Wight – but that could change too..
Will the Festivals go on in 2021? We’re on another amazing Isle of Wight Rhythmtree festival, July 2021 – fingers crossed!Scott and Carolyn performing for virtual shows and Arts Beats and Eats 2020 – from Facebook Live Carolyn in Snowy Michigan 2021
It has been almost a year since everything shut down, so we’re hopeful this Spring brings good days and nights! Stay warm xx
Hi! Happy September! We’re missing many festivals we have played, including Donne in Musica in Rome, Italy, The Isle of Wight, U.K. Rhythmtree Festival, many years at Arts Beats & Eats, The Detroit Jazz Festival, Earthwork Harvest Festival in Lake City, Michigan, Dally in the Alley in Detroit, The Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, and the Michigan State Fair and more! But we did a new Facebook livestream fundraiser with the Soaring Eagle Arts Beats & Eats Festival. Arts Beats and Eats is raising money for musicians impacted by covid-19. For every dollar you donate to us at PayPal.me/carolynstriho1 for our virtual show by October 1st, Oakland County, Michigan will match that amount up to $500,000 and donate it to the Arts Beats Eats Musician’s Fund for Michigan musicians who have lost over 50% of their income due to COVID-19. Thank you for caring! https://www.facebook.com/striho/videos/10222355425450182/ More info at https://artsbeatseats.com/virtual-showcase-supporting-local-musicians
The Audio Book for my “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” is coming this Fall. In the meantime, you can order the hard copy from me directly or through many Detroit and Michigan music and bookstores, including Book Beat, Horizons Books Traverse City, Nicolas Books Ann Arbor, Dearborn Music, Flipside Records and more! You can also order it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Aquarius Press. If you buy it from me at paypal.me/carolynstriho1, I offer a discount, too! Let me know in an email or DM to me and I’ll get it over to you! Also at https://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Maiden-Energy-Carolyn-Striho/dp/1733089837
I’m featured on the album “End of the Night” for Record Store Day 2020 U.K. compiled by Rob St. Mary and distributed by Light in the Attic Records Seattle. My song “Rockin’ Right” is included with one of my first bands The Cubes. It also features Don Was’ first band The Traitors and Hiawatha Bailey and The Cult Heroes “Amerikan Story” with much more – check it at https://lightintheattic.net/releases/6628-detroit-punk-archive-presents-the-end-of-the-night-1976-1983
Also, Orchide Records Detroit released an album with Detroit Energy Asylum which was my band for many years featuring Dave McMurray, Luis Resto, myself and great world-renowned Detroit musicians. For those who liked “Secrets and Space,” “Recreation” features new mixes of several covers with a never-before-heard lead vocal by Patti Smith on “Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” (by The Marvelettes written by Smokey Robinson). Produced by Freddie Brooks, it’s a gem at https://orchiderecords.bigcartel.com/product/dea-recreation https://secrets-space.bandcamp.com/album/secrets-space-original-soundtrack-of-transition
While I miss playing at festival times, we are working on many new projects, have rescheduled the U.K. tour and some recording with more good surprises.
Thanks again, please stay safe and well, and Vote! Love, Carolyn xx
