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Amy Black (American singer)

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Amy Black
Background information
GenresRoots/Country Blues/Soul
InstrumentVocals
Years active2008-Present
Websitewww.amyblack.com

Amy Black is a singer/songwriter and performer who started her music career in Boston, MA and now lives in Nashville, TN.

Early life

The daughter of a minister, Black spent her early years in Missouri and Alabama before relocating with her family to Boston, Massachusetts. She studied at Northeastern University. During her college years she pursued singing as a pastime, forming several bands. After receiving her degree, Black pursued a career in marketing.[1][2]

Musical career (2008-present)

In 2008, Black began singing publicly at open mic nights in the Boston area. She formed the band Amy Black and the Red Clay Rascals, an acoustic roots music ensemble, and began to play at Boston area venues.[3] The group released their self-titled debut album in 2009 which primarily included classic covers by country legends including Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and John Prine.[4][5]

Black reformed the band in 2010, adding electric guitar and dropping the “Red Clay Rascals” to perform as "Amy Black."[3]

In late 2010, Black collaborated with producer Lorne Entress on her first solo album, One Time.[6] Released in March 2011, the album features nine of Black's original songs and three cover songs. Musicians on the album include singer/songwriter Mark Erelli on guitar and vocals and Nashville-based bluegrass player Stuart Duncan on fiddle and mandolin.[7]

Black plays primarily on the East Coast of the United States,[8] and the Southern United States performing regularly at a number of Massachusetts venues[9] including Club Passim[10] Johnny D's Uptown in Somerville, Massachusetts; The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia; Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia and The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee.[8] Black was a guest on the Music City Roots program at Loveless Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee in 2011.[2]

Since 2011, Black has opened shows for Chris Isaak, The Court Yard Hounds, Rodney Crowell, Suzy Bogguss, Joe Ely, Eilen Jewell,[11] Lori McKenna, Emmylou Harris [12] and Kelly Willis.[8] Black and her band performed at the WUMB-FM Boston Music Festival[13] in June 2011 and in October 2011, they performed at the WUMB-FM Boston Member Concert in Boston, filmed and aired by XFinity.[14] In September 2012, Black was a featured singer/songwriter at the Americana Music Association's annual conference.[15] In February 2013, Black was selected for an official showcase at the International Folk Alliance conference held in Toronto, Canada.[16] In June, 2013 was Black selected to perform as an Emerging Artists for the 2013 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

In March, 2013, Black released her first live album Amy Black Live at Johnny D's.[17] In October, 2013, Black released a four-song EP recorded at Fame Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, featuring Spooner Oldham. In February 2014, Black released her second album of original music, "This is Home" produced by Lex Price and featuring guitar playing by Will Kimbrough and Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers. In June 2016 Black released a full length album recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL featuring Spooner Oldham and the McCrary Sisters.

Critical reception

One Time received local and national reviews. Boston Herald music critic Nate Dow wrote, “it is the beautifully imagined sound and soul of her originals that make her a newcomer of note.”[10] Country news site Roughstock noted "Amy Black is something uncommon in the contemporary era. She combines strong, female centered songs with a solid sense of contemporary country that never gives way to pop sensibilities."[18] Americana and roots music magazine No Depression observed of her live performances, "Black has a rich voice layered with a light, natural vibrato. It’s a smooth, seductive sound and one that easily commands attention."[19]

Black was nominated for the 2012 "Country Act of the Year" by The New England Music Awards.[20]

Discography

  • Amy Black and the Red Clay Rascals (2009)
  • One Time (2011)
  • Amy Black Live at Johnny D's (2013)
  • The Muscle Shoals Session (EP) (2013)
  • This Is Home (2014)
  • The Muscle Shoals Sessions (2015)

References

  1. ^ Knox, Robert (2012-01-07). "Southern Roots Music Coming to South Shore". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  2. ^ a b "Music City Roots: Live from Loveless Cafe". Music City Roots. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  3. ^ a b Frieman, Richie. "Amy Black". Pens Eye View. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  4. ^ Teplyske, Daniel (2011-06-05). "Roots Music Column". Fervour Coulee. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  5. ^ "Amy Black and the Red Clay Rascals". iTunes. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  6. ^ "Amy Black Takes Her Shot With Sophomore Album 'One Time.'". Austin Music City. 2011-03-29. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  7. ^ Farrar-Helm, Frankie (2011-04-12). ""One Time" Amy Black". The Collegian Online. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  8. ^ a b c "Shows | Amy Black". amyblack.com. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  9. ^ McGovern, Laura (2011-04-04). "Amy Black and Her Mix of Blues and Bluegrass". Blast Magazine. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  10. ^ a b Dow, Nate (2011-04-01). "Amy Black". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  11. ^ "New Year's Eve with Amy Black - Ballroom". WICN. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  12. ^ "Lowell Summer Music Series". lowellsummermusic.org.
  13. ^ "The 14th Annual WUMB Music Fest - Line-up for Sunday June 5th from Noon to 7:00pm - at UMass Boston". Boston Folk Festival. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  14. ^ "WUMB Ripples: You can both hear – and see – the Amy Black Member Concert this month starting tonight!". WUMB Radio. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  15. ^ "Amy Black - Country Singer". Middnight on Main 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  16. ^ "2013 Official Showcase Artists". Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  17. ^ Lane, Baron. "Listen Up! EXCLUSIVE Amy Black "Live at Johnny D's" -". Twang Nation. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  18. ^ Lewis, Stormy. "Reviews: Amy Black-"One Time"". Roughstock. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  19. ^ Dey, Holley (2012-02-22). "Amy Black: The Preacher's Kid Sure Can Play". No Depression. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  20. ^ "New England Music Awards, 2011 Voting". New England Music Awards. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
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