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Crookston native Annie Fitzgerald, a singer/songwriter who now lives in New York City, is excited about the latest development in her musical career, the debut of her first full-length album, "In Good Time.” She's embarking on a cross-country tour this week to promote the release, with the official NYC release party set for Thursday, Sept. 9, at Rockwood Music Hall.
“I feel fortunate to be able to release 'In Good Time' independently,” she said in an interview last week. “Although it forces me to wear a lot of different hats, I've enjoyed learning about each step of the process. Going on tour will be such an adventure, and it's also going to allow me to meet new people and play my music for anyone who will listen. My hope is that a few people along the way will like what I'm doing, and tell a friend. At the end of the day though, if I can touch one person's heart and make them feel something, I feel I've accomplished something great.”
The tour includes a Minnesota CD release concert on Friday, Sept. 17 at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis that Fitzgerald hopes some of her friends, former classmates, teachers and supporters will be able to attend. Tickets are available for $18 by calling 612-436-1129 or visiting the website www.ticketworks.com. The event, a full evening of music featuring the band that played together on the CD, The Brighton & Vicky Emerson, begins at 8 p.m.
During her Minnesota visit, she'll also make a KARE 11 Showcase Minnesota appearance. Other stops on the tour schedule include Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee, and Austin and Dallas in Texas.
Minnesota roots
Fitzgerald, a 1997 graduate of Central High School, is the daughter of Chuck and Valerie Fitzgerald of Crookston. According to biographical information provided on her website (www.anniefizgerald.com), her artistic talents were already emerging as a toddler, when she began dancing. She started piano lessons at age six, and by the time she turned 14, she was an award-winning choreographer.
Once she entered high school, her musical opportunities flourished.
“I loved my experience in Concert Choir at CHS,” Fitzgerald said. “Mr. (Bob) Yanish was very nurturing to those of us who loved music. He gave me opportunities to grow as a musician throughout high school: helping with ensemble and solo contest entries, allowing me to sing at homecoming events and graduations, and helping with the opportunity to be in All State Choir. I'm grateful for those opportunities and still consider them instrumental in me falling in love with music at a young age.”
In college, she focused on her music and received a bachelor's in music in vocal performance from the University of Minnesota. She also spent a summer training at the Mountview Theatre School in London.
Following graduation, she worked in the Twin Cities area as a member of the working theater community and the Actors Equity Association, which included performances in Chanhassen Dinner Theatre musicals. Then, in 2005, she took the plunge and moved to NYC to concentrate on performing her original music.
She released an EP, "Annie Fitzgerald," which caught the ears of millions of listeners on iTunes and hundreds of radio stations nationwide. Her song “Ain't that a Shame” from the EP was selected to be included on the 2007 Best of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Compilation CD, featuring the most talented of the 57th New Writers Showcase, and Fitzgerald was deemed an artist to watch.
Although she'd been contemplating it for years, the time just wasn't right until something clicked and it all came together, she said. And although NYC has been her home for several years, she actually returned to Minnesota to make “In Good Time” at the Library Studios in Minneapolis, where Matt Patrick produced, engineered and mixed the album.
Unique sound
So just what type of music does Annie Fitzgerald make? Well, she lists Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice and Joni Mitchell as some of her influences. Her style has also been compared to Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Jonathan Brooke and The Weepies.
The resulting sound, though, is all her own, as others have attested to:
"The first thing that pulls you in is her voice. Captivating, compelling & dynamic. Then you hear the beautiful melodic lines & the intelligent, thoughtful lyrics in her songs. You watch her play and you cannot help but be impressed by her musicianship. I look forward to watching her star rise.” – Bob Leone, former projects director of the Songwriters Hall of Fame
“'In Good Time' introduces us to a young woman deserving to be heard. The lush orchestration and moving lyrics throughout will capture your attention and imagination. The entire production screams seasoned vet, not raw newcomer and should signal a long exciting career." – Vinny "Bond" Marini, Music on the Couch
Visit Fitzgerald's website to sample her music, learn more about her and purchase the “In Good Time” CD. The CD is also available in stores, with mp3 versions on iTunes, Rhapsody and other music download sites.
Crookston native Annie Fitzgerald, a singer/songwriter who now lives in New York City, is excited about the latest development in her musical career, the debut of her first full-length album, "In Good Time.” She's embarking on a cross-country tour this week to promote the release, with the official NYC release party set for Thursday, Sept. 9, at Rockwood Music Hall.
“I feel fortunate to be able to release 'In Good Time' independently,” she said in an interview last week. “Although it forces me to wear a lot of different hats, I've enjoyed learning about each step of the process. Going on tour will be such an adventure, and it's also going to allow me to meet new people and play my music for anyone who will listen. My hope is that a few people along the way will like what I'm doing, and tell a friend. At the end of the day though, if I can touch one person's heart and make them feel something, I feel I've accomplished something great.”
The tour includes a Minnesota CD release concert on Friday, Sept. 17 at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis that Fitzgerald hopes some of her friends, former classmates, teachers and supporters will be able to attend. Tickets are available for $18 by calling 612-436-1129 or visiting the website www.ticketworks.com. The event, a full evening of music featuring the band that played together on the CD, The Brighton & Vicky Emerson, begins at 8 p.m.
During her Minnesota visit, she'll also make a KARE 11 Showcase Minnesota appearance. Other stops on the tour schedule include Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee, and Austin and Dallas in Texas.
Minnesota roots
Fitzgerald, a 1997 graduate of Central High School, is the daughter of Chuck and Valerie Fitzgerald of Crookston. According to biographical information provided on her website (www.anniefizgerald.com), her artistic talents were already emerging as a toddler, when she began dancing. She started piano lessons at age six, and by the time she turned 14, she was an award-winning choreographer.
Once she entered high school, her musical opportunities flourished.
“I loved my experience in Concert Choir at CHS,” Fitzgerald said. “Mr. (Bob) Yanish was very nurturing to those of us who loved music. He gave me opportunities to grow as a musician throughout high school: helping with ensemble and solo contest entries, allowing me to sing at homecoming events and graduations, and helping with the opportunity to be in All State Choir. I'm grateful for those opportunities and still consider them instrumental in me falling in love with music at a young age.”
In college, she focused on her music and received a bachelor's in music in vocal performance from the University of Minnesota. She also spent a summer training at the Mountview Theatre School in London.
Following graduation, she worked in the Twin Cities area as a member of the working theater community and the Actors Equity Association, which included performances in Chanhassen Dinner Theatre musicals. Then, in 2005, she took the plunge and moved to NYC to concentrate on performing her original music.
She released an EP, "Annie Fitzgerald," which caught the ears of millions of listeners on iTunes and hundreds of radio stations nationwide. Her song “Ain't that a Shame” from the EP was selected to be included on the 2007 Best of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Compilation CD, featuring the most talented of the 57th New Writers Showcase, and Fitzgerald was deemed an artist to watch.
Although she'd been contemplating it for years, the time just wasn't right until something clicked and it all came together, she said. And although NYC has been her home for several years, she actually returned to Minnesota to make “In Good Time” at the Library Studios in Minneapolis, where Matt Patrick produced, engineered and mixed the album.
Unique sound
So just what type of music does Annie Fitzgerald make? Well, she lists Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice and Joni Mitchell as some of her influences. Her style has also been compared to Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Jonathan Brooke and The Weepies.
The resulting sound, though, is all her own, as others have attested to:
"The first thing that pulls you in is her voice. Captivating, compelling & dynamic. Then you hear the beautiful melodic lines & the intelligent, thoughtful lyrics in her songs. You watch her play and you cannot help but be impressed by her musicianship. I look forward to watching her star rise.” – Bob Leone, former projects director of the Songwriters Hall of Fame
“'In Good Time' introduces us to a young woman deserving to be heard. The lush orchestration and moving lyrics throughout will capture your attention and imagination. The entire production screams seasoned vet, not raw newcomer and should signal a long exciting career." – Vinny "Bond" Marini, Music on the Couch
Visit Fitzgerald's website to sample her music, learn more about her and purchase the “In Good Time” CD. The CD is also available in stores, with mp3 versions on iTunes, Rhapsody and other music download sites.
