Meet Elizabeth Grimes of More Than A Song

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Grimes, More Than A Song.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am an Atlanta based pianist, performer, and small business owner. My music career began at 17, where I began playing cocktail piano music professionally at a fried chicken restaurant in Lincoln, NE! After college graduation, I received a commission into the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. During my 4 years of active duty, I continued to find music and performing opportunities, one of them being a performer in the Army Soldier Show, a professional theatre production which toured nationally for 9 months.

After my military service, I moved to NYC to pursue music full-time. Here, I was involved in many amazing and diverse projects and recorded an original album, “Silk in the Sky” with Modern Vintage Recordings. I began to play for the New Jersey Ballet Company, which led me on a new path of professional piano. I completed a musician mentorship program with Canada’s National Ballet School and eventually moved to Atlanta in 2014. Here, I took a job with The Atlanta Ballet as a dance accompanist. Simultaneously, I finished my MBA with the intention of starting my own company.

More Than A Song, LLC. was formed in June of 2016. We are a company that provides live Arts & Entertainment to Aging Communities. We are local Artists who have a wide range of genres and talents, with a professional background, who desire to give back to our communities through music. The aging population is much more limited than general population in terms of how much art and music is available to them. We feel it is OUR responsibility to bring quality music to THEM. Music improves health, memory, and overall quality of life and it is SO important to remember that our aging citizens love and need music like anyone else!

While More Than A Song is my priority, passion, and life’s calling, I continue to play and perform in a variety of local venues. I accompany The Atlanta Ballet and Northeast Atlanta Ballet and have recorded a ballet accompaniment album. I am also a Marta Artbound Live Artist and perform at different Marta Stations. I also can be found at local restaurant venues and farmer’s markets. Atlanta is an amazing place to live for an Artist! The diversity, talent, and creativity here has made me feel so at home and I can’t wait to see what other opportunities
I may come across as an Atlanta-based musician!

Please tell us about your art.
As a pianist at heart, I describe my personal style as a mix of honky-tonk and boogie-woogie. I was drawn to WWII era music ever since I was a child. I felt a connection to the well-crafted arrangements of an entire band and vocalist, recording simultaneously and in one take. While exploring this music, I discovered Pine Top and W.C. Handy. I loved the rhythm in the left hand and had to learn to play it! Patsy Cline became a big influence on me and the tinkling sound of Floyd Cramer’s playing got added into the mix. My classical repertoire is short, however, as my strength was playing by ear and I struggled with sight-reading.

As much as I loved to sing in private, it took years to overcome my stage fright and sing with piano in public. I still struggle with it, but I now feel that I have so much to say, I just can’t do it all with one instrument.

When people hear my work, I hope they hear emotion and craftsmanship. Whether playing an instrumental, or singing an original or cover, I choose songs with a clear message. I want people to relate to it, so I try not to be too vague or cryptic. Music is personal to me, but it’s also the way I communicate and connect with other people, so I want them to understand my voice. And I practice, experiment, and hone my skills so that I can deliver that message to the best of my abilities.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Explore opportunities that take you outside of your comfort zone.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I would love for people to know about More Than A Song, LLC.! It is my passion and most of what I am about. We put so much effort into delivering true Art to our Aging friends and doing so with compassion! I would just do anything for them! We all have a grandparent or loved one who we want to give the best quality of life to. Music is an important part of that.
www.morethanasong.us
www.facebook.com/morethanasongllc
Instagram and Twitter @MoreThanASongGA

People can follow my independent artist shenanigans (including Marta Artbound Live performances) at:
www.facebook.com/elizabethgrimesmusic
www.youtube.com/bethsmusicvideos
Instagram @ElizabethGrimesMusic

Contact Info:

• Address: Atlanta
• Website: www.morethanasong.us
• Phone: 404-806-9061
• Email: information@morethanasong.us
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/morethanasongga
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabethgrimesmusic
• Other: www.youtube.com/bethsmusicvideos

Image Credit:
Eddie Grimes
Frank Ekeler
Jennifer Marion
Liliedahl Imaging

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