Cathy Serrano: Press/Reviews

Some of the Venues I have Played:

Bill's City Grill; One World Cafe (Three Rivers Nat'l Food Co-op); Mid-City Grill; Big-Eyed Fish; Blu Tomato; Deer Park Irish Pub; Columbia City Farmer's Market; Columbia City Art Fair; Historic West Main Farmer's Market; West Central Art Fair; Firefly Coffee House; Aspen Coffee House; Brickhouse Coffee; Toast & Jam; Columbia Street West; Mic's Tavern; East Haven Tavern; Chap's Western Bar & Grill; Spooners; The Green Frog; Fort Wayne Farmer's Market on Wallace; The Bookmark; Border's Bookstores; Bill's Bistro; Munchies Emporium; The Senate; Foster's Pub (w/Bosco Gorman); The Cellar; Three Rivers Festival Main Tent; Barr Street Market; Columbia City Art Festival,;Maumee Music Fest; Sol Fest - Fox Island Park; WBTU Country Stage; Lawton Park Autism Benefit; Hall's Factory; The Downtown Cafe; The Arcola Pub; Zias Coffee; Dragons Keep; The Lakefront Bar in Warsaw; American Legion Post 296; and Cahoots Coffee Cafe in Angola.

A few years back Cathy Serrano stunned the local populace with a folksy album drenched in Native American flute. This debut album, Share The Wind, was a bit short on length (24 minutes) but full of inspiration.

For her follow up, Dark Hearts, Simple Treasures, Serrano has enlisted the help of a number of friends to help flesh out her folk-based songs, increasing the running time while keeping the inspiration. Local favorite Duane Eby adds his acoustic guitar and “effects,” while Mike Patterson lends his tones via electric guitar and upright bass. Last but not least is Mike Andrews whose restrained percussion propels the songs gently along their paths. Together these minstrels co-wrote a delicate full-length album loaded with songs that explore the simple joys of a lonely life.

“In The Corner” opens the album, the first of many songs featuring mid-tempo folk-based acoustic guitar with hand percussion. Immediately following is “Imaginary Man” where the perfect man is described and then questioned with “Well is he really out there? / If he’s there where can he be? / And if he’s really out there / Is he looking for someone like me?” A more prominent bass, passionate vocals, drum kit and zesty guitar licks adds a rock edge to “The Phoenix,” with its familiar tale of rising anew from ashes. The closer, “Someone For Everyone,” brings in a hint of country twang, appropriately delivering lyrics such as “They say there’s someone for everyone/ But that’s not something I believe.” Unfortunately, fans of the flute might find themselves disappointed, as it is only featured in two songs, “The Dawn,” which bears an especially nice arrangement, and the enjoyable “Rodeo Queen.”Â

Serrano seems to be unable to escape her folk roots, not that she’s wanting to try. Her vulnerable, tuneful vocals are at home in the singer-songwriter style, and her tasteful guitar playing is perfectly suited for these songs of sorrow. Dark Hearts, Simple Treasures is available at CDBaby.com.

Little did Cathy Serrano know picking up a guitar in law school would someday lead her into a studio as opposed to a court room. Also, little did she know she would be moving from Louisville to Fort Wayne and releasing not one but two CDs.

Just as most of us who grew up in the '70s, Cathy was influenced by such folk artist as Joan Baez and Carly Simon, to name a few. Upon her arrival here in Fort Wayne Cathy began to play in local pubs and, if need be, for free. Her selftaught style of guitar playing and great vocals brought a refreshing style to her folk songs that remind me of days and years gone by. The more Serrano played, the more the Who's Who of Fort Wayne's music world paid attention. Serrano was now establishing herself.

After numerous successful performances locally, she decided to release her first CD called "Native Flute: Share the Wind." The CD was a success. Played by her instrumentally on a Native American flute, it was a haunting and a spellbinding collection of songs that earned her great reviews. Her new CD, "Dark Hearts Simple Treasures" has the makings to be another success.

"Cathy is at her heart and soul, a folk singer in the style of Joan Baez. Her original music reflects that heart."

-- Cathy Serrano's album of Native American flute music is absolutely beautiful. Cathy is a great champion of the Fort Wayne area's musicians and a wonderful singer/storyteller in the best tradition. Oh, by the way, she's one of the best live performers you'll hear around because she really cares about reaching her audience.

Excerpt of review from the "Hopeful Cat in a Dog's World" CD Review: "Cathy Serrano weaves a haunting and somber spell with an extended solo passage on the Native American flute (jarringly interspersed with snippets of a radio interview with Dave Nelson and bits of Gillespie sutdio wonderment). . ." Link to this review at: http://www.whatzup.com/Music/cd021005a.html

Cheers to Cathy Serrano and the Cool Music for Warm Nights free summer concert series. Her relaxing vocal selections were perfect for ending a busy Saturday.

"Share The Wind" Review: Read the full review at the link provided below: "The compositions are varied in tempo, melody and mood such that, although you can’t escape the beautifully lonely sound of this instrument, Serrano never loses your attention. . . . ."

Press Release: Local musician creates collection of Native American flute music
Frost Illustrated | Apr 13, 2005
FORT WAYNE,Over the past few months, singer and songwriter Cathy Serrano has become a fixture in local coffee houses, serving up her own special brand of folksy, acoustic cover versions of a diverse repertoire ...
Topics: Music, Pop/Rock, Entertainment . . .

Local musician creates collection of Native American flute music

Click here to read the release

Click below to read the Press Release on PR WEB

MATT's COMMENTS ON "SHARE THE WIND": Hi Cathy - I listened to the CD today - Well done! What impresses me is that you and Michael were able to keep all the songs unique, through melodic structure, production, and song order. It's a very pleasant and relaxing 24 minutes of music. They are arranged and performed very well "Grandfathers Britches" had really nice effects. One of these days I'm going to buy one of those flutes and have you show me some things. You should be proud of your effort, and thanks for the "Collector's Edition" copy!

Lee Miles

Being something of a novice guitarist myself, I tend to hang out where there are good local players in a variety of music styles (hoping to pick up a trick or two), and one of my favorites is the Open Mic hosted by Mike Conley at the Mad Anthony Munchie Emporium. As luck would have it, that is where I first heard Lee Miles.

On that particular occasion he played three songs with his partner Kyle Morris, and I was instantly drawn to the harmonies produced by the two. Since that time, I have heard Lee Miles do his solo acoustic show, and have had an opportunity to listen to his latest CD, Bear.

This latest CD is getting excellent reviews, see local www.whatzup.com, for example, and while I am not reviewing the CD itself here, I will say that it shows off Lee’s excellent vocals and his strong writing skills. I hear hints of Dylan and Lennon influences in his writing. I found myself listening to several of the cuts on the CD over and over again, including the lead track, “Rich Man’s War”, “Cold Wind Blowin” as well as “Heavy Hearted Woman”. It is rare for me to like every cut on a CD, but in this case, I do.

From his bullet-point bio on his webpage (www.leemiles.us), you can tell this young man takes his music far more seriously than he takes himself. Once you meet him, you’ll find a disarming sense of humor, modesty and a real zeal for his craft. Born in 1978, Lee Miles is a young artist, but his style and ability belies his age. If you like great acoustic music, you’re going to truly enjoy this artist.

I highly recommend you check him out when you see him listed on the marquee, but only if you want an evening of excellent musical entertainment stripped down to what matters, great guitar skills and vocal accompaniment. Lee does a wide variety of covers, but his originals are sure to be requested as more and more people purchase the CD.

Granted, there are a lot of great acoustic artists in our local area, among my favorites are Mike Conley, Matt Taylor, Sunny Taylor, Matt Sturm, Chris Dodds, Matt Gates and I like what they do, in fact if you want to find me on any given evening, that list is a good place to start.

Now, though, I have to start a new list and I am placing on that list, at the very top --- Lee Miles, whose style is very distinctive and I, for one, am always glad to have something new to go enjoy in local music.


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Byline: Cathy T. Serrano, is a freelance writer, local area attorney and musician, and is a member of the Native American Journalists Association

The Best Kept Secret in Town

Tucked away in a little corner at the intersection of Leesburg Road and Spring Streets (right next to St. Francis College) is an exceptional little neighborhood pub, which is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Deer Park Irish Pub, formerly known as Deer Park Lodge, is a quaint and yes, small venue but it has a great deal to offer.

Owner, Tony Henry is often on hand and goes out of his way to make every single person who arrives feel like they just walked into their favorite aunt’s house. He serves at the table, he works as a bartender, and he is the resident emcee. His booming voice is usually the first thing you hear when you enter the establishment and you can instantly tell he is truly glad to have you visit. You never leave without being asked to come back again, and you can tell it is sincere.

The pub boasts a loyal clientele, who are warm and friendly to all who share their favorite hang-out. Best of all, Deer Park is a very supportive venue to up and coming local musicians. While Tony cannot afford to pay the top wage in town, he is fair and more than happy to give someone their start. I know this because he has me play there occasionally and I thoroughly enjoy playing in the venue. It is a warm and receptive venue and they appreciate good acoustic music, blues, jazz – you name it!

Tony has invented a new form of entertainment called Dancioke, which he has patented, and which you simply have to see to believe. On Dancioke nights, the place is packed to the seams. It is also always packed on St. Patrick’s Day, and there is a traditional St. Patrick’s Day parade, which brings out a huge crowd.

The Deer Park is also a very generous pub, hosting numerous charitable fundraisers, including just this past summer a fundraiser for Katrina Victims which raised over $1,500 in one afternoon. There is also a monthly food drive, which consists of the “Hungry Hill Gang” a fraternity of Deer Park patrons who meet to go shopping for those less fortunate on a regularly scheduled Thursday.

If that is not enough to get you into Deer Park, perhaps the wide selection of Imported Beers may help entice you, or the excellent food which is always served, including Benny’s fresh-made pizzas, and a wide selection of changing but freshly prepared foods such as tacos, wings, ribs, and Italian beef sandwiches, to name a few recently featured items.

Deer Park is just launching a website, www.deerpark.com which will provide detailed information on their entertainment and event calendar as well as other information for those looking for a great place to relax and enjoy an evening. I highly recommend Deer Park Irish Pub, it’s one of the Best Kept Secrets in Town. To contact Tony at Deer Park, call 432-8966.

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Byline: Cathy T. Serrano, is a freelance writer, local area attorney and musician, and is a member of the Native American Journalists Association

The text here is an excerpt from the article written for Fort Wayne Music dot com.