Peg Carrothers

My musical background began forming as a young child, learning songs from the family for every season and occasion, and harmonizing out the window with my mother whenever a rainstorm was brewing. It wasn’t uncommon to find me outside on a windy day making up songs and singing them up high into the trees.

I was lucky to have a dedicated school music program in my formative years, which allowed me to explore my talents further with leading roles in choir and musical programs. My love for song led me to later pursue a music degree at St Catherine’s College and finish up at the University of Minnesota, studying in the classical opera tradition before vocal jazz was a developed curriculum.

It was during these early college years that I first met Bill Carrothers, who would change my life forever in many ways, encouraging me to listen to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. A whole world opened up for me and these voices, along with every sound that enters the heart of what music is, continue to be a great influence and pleasure to explore.

Gradually building a standard repertoire and hanging out with jazz folks, while performing now and again in local venues around Minneapolis / St. Paul for the last ten years, has been a rewarding and enriching experience. The challenge of learning a song and then making it your own to share in a way that brings the listener closer to its essence is what it's all about. It takes an open, curious, sharpened mind and seasoned skill to breathe life into a tune. The time and energy given is rewarded in the act itself. It’s a love affair.

My CD, entitled Blue Skies, is a dream come true. There are some standards with a twist, and some experimental pieces, including the one-take, improvised “Geranium,” a poem by Jane Kenyon that I wrote music for, and the edgy “Wrong, Wrong, Wrong” collaboration by Bill and myself that was inspired by our angry upright piano.

I am honored to sing as the “angel of the battlefield” on Armistice 1918, (2004) a double cd set with musical interpretations of WWI era songs and sounds portrayed by an incredible cast of musicians.

Another CD recording with an historical perspective was released in 2008, entitled, Voices That Are Gone. Cellist Matt Turner's project offers interpretations of Stephen Foster's timeless music. I am again honored to be a part of this project.

My latest CD, Play Day was inspired by my children as I found myself revisiting songs from my own childhood. This collective project has many of the same musicians from the Armistice CD, who generously donated their time with proceeds from sales supporting a children's charity fund.

I currently live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with my ever-loving husband, Bill, two amazing children, a cat, and a fabulous dog, Meesha. My relationship with music continues to be one of the best parts of living in this crazy world. Along with learning how to play guitar better, I am attempting to write songs, play the violin, and keep inspiration alive.

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