How Did We End Up Here? (a musical journey)
Joining a band was NEVER part of my plan. So how did we get here?
Today, the announcement was made that I’m joining an incredible group of musicians this year!! Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters is a phenomenal group that has been touring the midwest for over 2 decades! To say I am beyond thrilled and absolutely honored to be joining the Geech family is an understatement!!
I am ecstatic to be joining them on stage and continuing my musical journey. But that does beg the question, “How did we get here!?”. Well, friends, let’s go ALL the way back and I’ll take you on a little trip!
My first performing group
jk. But you KNOW I made my little sister take part in all my shenanigans
Music has always been a part of my life. My mother will tell you that I was singing before I was talking, always babbling away melodically, and bouncing to whatever beat was happening around me. Most of my memories of holidays, birthdays, family gatherings, or trips/vacations, involve family members singing in harmony around a sink, writing new song lyrics on the spot, or gathering around a piano to play and sing favorite songs. I had the most musical childhood. My grandmother took me to music classes for little ones, my mother sat me on her lap at the piano, and my dad always sang the silliest songs. While no one in my immediate family was a “professional” musician, they all were incredibly gifted and there was never a music-less moment.
I picked up a guitar for the first time when I was 5 and started learning to read music. I refused to let my mom teach me piano but instead took the skills I was learning in my guitar lessons and applied them to piano, asking mom an occasional question or two along the way. The first two pieces I wanted to learn on the piano were “Fur Elise” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, and not the big note, easy versions of either. I worked on those songs for years and learned to play piano by practicing the two songs almost daily. I played through regular lesson books for fun, sight-reading practice and pushed myself to learn the songs I loved.
It became clear very quickly that my favorite thing to do, musically, was to sing and perform. There are dozens of home videos buried somewhere in my parents’ basement that highlight some of my early original songs and overall love for singing. I set down my guitar and started voice lessons at the age of 10, where my love for classical voice and musical theatre grew by leaps and bounds. I spent most of my jr. high and high school years learning show tunes, performing in talent shows, participating in every choir I could be involved in, and rehearsing for musicals, plays, and performances.
My exposure to most popular music was fairly limited until high school. I spent a large chunk of my childhood with my grandparents where I discovered my love for hymns, folk standards, and jazz. With my parents, I learned to love their favorite music including their favorites from the 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s. If a cassette wasn’t playing, then the oldies station was blaring. My first interest in pop music happened when I was forced to make the choice between N’Sync & Backstreet Boys (because as a school age grade girl you absolutely were not allowed to be indifferent or to choose both). I still have my N’Sync and Brittany Spears Cd’s hidden away in my home and still absolutely know every single word.
There were a lot of musical theatre duets, trios, choirs, and more
I’ve always loved listening to a wide variety of music. In high school, I spent a lot of time listening to Frank Sinatra, big band/swing music, and a lot of musicals. I even spent time taking swing dancing lessons with friends on the weekends and sewed my own swing style dress for my Sophomore homecoming. Other bands/artists that I frequently listened to (and still do listen to regularly) include Elton John, Billy Joel, Jack Johnson, Death Cab for Cutie, My Chemical Romance, Iron and Wine, Something Corporate, and the Bouncing Souls. I also spent time exploring a lot of the local punk and ska music with my best friend by going to as many shows as we could and (of course) going to Warped Tour.
My love for people, helping others, and making music all came into perfect alignment when I left for college. After 4 long years as a music major, I became and am still, now, a board-certified music therapist. My college years were filled with classical voice repertoire, music theory classes, technique courses, music history classes, choir performances, and loads upon loads of music therapy specific classes. My career in music therapy has forced me to have an appreciation for nearly every kind of music as well as people of all ages and abilities.
After completing my degree, I moved (with my partner at the time) to central Illinois, where there were NO MUSIC THERAPY JOBS. That meant going out and starting a company of my own. It began as a small private practice contracting for a hospital and the incredible Rachel Rambach. After a couple years working together, my working with Rachel transformed into a beautiful partnership forming Music Therapy Connections, LLC. Music Therapy Connections, LLC is going into it’s 10th year and currently serves over 1000 people in our community on a weekly basis. We LOVE our team of therapists and teachers and are beyond grateful for what they do.
Find us at 1234 Centre West Drive, Springfield, IL
If you ask me what has been the most surprising or interesting thing I’ve done in my adult life/musical career, it wouldn’t be starting my own company, moving to a new city, buying three homes, becoming a landlord, writing/recording dozens of children’s songs, almost buying out another company, starting a podcast, selling my original content online, or becoming a boss for several people. Nope. It would be joining a band. Being in a band of any kind was never on my radar. As someone who sang almost solely classical or musical theatre repertoire, performing pop/rock/dance music was never something I planned on doing at any point in my life. BUT that all quickly changed in 2012.
My introduction to band life was performing with a Grateful Dead cover band. Someone in my life had volunteered me to fill a female role for a project the group was working on at the time. After a couple years, a few fun performances, and many long nights of rehearsals, I stepped away to Join Fun DMC. How I joined Fun DMC will be another story for another day; but I will say, my 9 years on stage with Fun DMC is where I truly found myself as a performer. I fell in love with the craft, with being on stage, and with traveling. I love it.
One of my first New Year’s Eve celebrations with Fun DMC
Though I wasn’t planning on the stage being part of my life, I’m so glad that performing is part of my reality. Becoming a member of Fun DMC was one of the most rewarding, eye opening, and influential experiences. When Fun DMC was coming to an end in 2023, I thought I could maybe talk myself into a quieter, at home life. I thought, maybe, I don’t really need to be on stage. But when Captain Geech approached me about joining their 2024 lineup, that spark immediately reignited. I immediately agreed to join!
I called my partner Monday night after ending up on stage with Captain Geech for the first time on New Year’s Day and was sobbing happily. It felt so natural to be back on stage. Even with it being my first time on stage with a new musical family, it felt right. My partner knew this was going to be the right thing for me and was all smiles, right by my side. He knew being back on stage was exactly what I needed.
Singing ignites a spark in me. It gives me such joy and fuels me in a way nothing else can. I’m so happy to have found the next step on my musical journey.
I encourage you, find the thing that ignites a spark in you.
With love,
Katey
