The Song Has Always Been The Star…

From my earliest days, I’ve been a creative soul.

As a girl I showed great interest in art. I loved working with my hands creating things, particularly clay sculpture and line drawings. I also loved music and played with my mother’s guitar for hours on end. When I graduated from high school in 1969, everyone expected me to become a commercial artist. However, somebody shook a microphone in my direction and I responded by becoming a musician instead.

Eventually life came full circle. I swapped careers in the mid-80′s and a computer became my drawing board. Today I take pleasure in developing websites, CD packaging and design projects. I have a different kind of experience to bring to the table — especially to those in the music industry who need a creative online presence that visually captures their unique style and personality. I fully understand the specifics that relate to their projects, objectives and budgets. But I have happy clients from other industries as well who appreciate a good eye for simplicity and balance.

Though I no longer rely on performing for my bread and butter, you can still find me playing music on a regular basis. I’ve collected hundreds of unforgettable songs over my career. These days I’m passing on what I’ve learned by giving rhythm guitar and folksinging lessons at my home in Pegram, Tennessee. Periodically I hold Singalong House Concerts centering around audience participation. I’m also writing a series of songbooks — Fabulous Folksongs Every Girl Should Know — that will ultimately cover 400+ songs. The first volume, Traditional Treasures, is now available for purchase.

I’ve been honored to have served multiple years as a member of the judges panel at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention and the Macon County Hillbilly Days competition. I continue to support musical camaraderie  and healthy competition, as I think the experience can really validate a budding singer/picker.

From everything I’ve seen, few things in life bring as much joy to a human being as music does. No matter what your age or lifestyle, music makes an unbeatable companion.

I will never get too old to make music.

Susie Q