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
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!
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..
It has been almost a year since everything shut down, so we’re hopeful this Spring brings good days and nights! Stay warm xx
UPDATE – Will be RESCHEDULED due to Coronavirus – Friday night, April 3rd I’m part of the National Book Event at Detroit’s Scarab Club in early April for National Poetry Month with my book “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” street princess poems & lyrics. I’m honored to be on this national poetry show, hosted by Aquarius Press and The Scarab Club, which features Lupe Mendez from Texas, Brian Gilmore, John Jeffire and so many Detroit poets – and with music by me and Scott Dailey on guitar, and Tracy Kash at 6 pm to 8 pm -! https://scarabclub.org/
There’s some super music shows we’re doing in April and May with bigger details next month and specifics. And the U.K. tour is coming this summer. But first, we’re recording new songs and there will also be new Book/Music Event in Grand Rapids this Spring, too, at Schuler Books for “Detroit (Maiden Energy).” https://www.schulerbooks.com/
Good news also on my book: “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” street princess poems & lyrics was just added to Nicola’s Books in Ann Arbor and Brilliant Books in Traverse City! You can also pick it up at Book Beat, Dearborn Music, Mayflower Bookstore, Horizon Books Traverse City and Horizon Books Cadillac, Leelanau books Schuler’s in Grands Rapids, at Pure Detroit and in Toronto, Canada. It’s also on Amazon, Target or Barnes and Noble websites. Thank you! https://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Maiden-Energy-Carolyn-Striho/dp/1733089837
Thanks to Jeff Milo from WDET-FM and The Metro Times and Ferndale Library for a great interview for the podcast! https://alittletooquiet.podbean.com/ where I was interviewed recently, – here is the Interview! https://podbay.fm/podcast/1485477183/e/1584098894. Jeff gave me such great press, too! And thanks for the airplay on Local Spins podcast and airplay in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Local Spins WYCE 88.1 FM John Sinkevics – appreciate it! And don’t forget to support Michigan music with this great compilation CD we are on – you can also hear it at all Starbucks (!) – https://localspins.com/product/michigan-music-compilation-cd/