Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alison Reynolds. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alison, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve known that I wanted to be a musician and singer since I first started playing and writing songs. Which was while I was in elementary school.

I started by playing cello in the school music program. I didn’t even know what a cello was! My two older sisters played violin and viola and when it came time for me to pick an instrument, they suggested the cello. I’ve been playing cello for close to 60 years now!

Then my parents gave me a Baritone Ukulele while I was in elementary school. I took a few lessons then wrote my first song and played it for parents and teachers at a PTA meeting. At that moment, I knew I was in it for the long haul not only to be a musician, singer, and songwriter but, a performer as well.

Elementary school was the start of a long, enduring love for music.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After starting in music in elementary school, I continued with it in Jr. High (Middle school). Didn’t really have a clear idea about what I would do until I hit High School.

My family moved from Flagstaff AZ. to North Bay, Ontario, Canada in 1969 (the year I entered High School). All the music classes were rudimentary and I had already had 5 years of playing cello so, I started playing flute to keep myself from being totally bored. I also started to play guitar at that time (I found the baritone uke rather limiting).

Then, in 1972, the Ontario government sponsored a program called Summersounds 72. They held auditions for High School kids all over Ontario and I was chosen to represent North Bay. There were some very talented musicians there from all over Ontario and we spent two weeks rehearsing shows then set off on the road to perform for towns all over Ontario. This is where I started to improvise on cello. This is also where I met my first music partner, Patricia Watson.

Pat and I set off to start a career as soon as we were out of High School. We played a lot of gigs, did some recording, grew from a 2-piece act to a 3-piece, and, finally, a 5-piece band. We toured all over Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. But, as happens with a lot of bands, personalities clashed. I left the band in the early 80’s and came back to the US where I started to formally study cello in college.

I started up another band while in college and played with different symphony orchestras.

Long story short, I now play as a single artist using a Boss RC 300 loop pedal and play a wide variety of cover songs as well as originals using cello (an NS designs 5-string electric cello), acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and Ukulele. I’ve also started home recording. I’ve recorded several albums and have added cello lines for musicians all around the world (Germany, Australia, Wales, Switzerland. . .). I’ve done cello lines for many different genres, folk, rock, pop, and progrock. I bring uniqueness to the table for anyone wanting cello on their recordings. I’ve also done vocals for several people.

My love is in being creative whether it is with a unique arrangement of cover songs or my own original music. My arrangement of All Along the Watchtower/Carry On My Wayward Son won Best Cover Song at the New Mexico Music Awards in 2022. My original song, 3 Monkeys was nominated for Best Americana Song a couple of years before that. I am particularly proud of both of those because they were both recorded at home.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My “mission” I think is to simply try to reach as many people as possible with music. My feelings about this is that if I can touch someone’s heart, and reach their soul, I am successful with my craft. I put my heart and soul into everything I do so, by touching someone else’s, we become one.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

By going to venues with live music, you are supporting the artist, by purchasing their music or merch, you are supporting the artist. Society as a whole can help spread the word about who they listen to and that does help the artist, particularly on Social Media.

When I first started in music, we didn’t have social media or online radio stations, we had actual radio stations that we submitted music to in hopes of getting air-play. We also had entertainment sections in newspapers that would write reviews about new releases, concerts, and shows. Now it is streaming sites and social media that we rely on to help advance our music. So, really, word of mouth is the best thing society can do to help musicians.

Contact Info:

• Website: alisonreynoldsmusic.com
• Instagram: @lacellabella
• Facebook: facebook.com/alisonreynoldsmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz-bdRSf-CD7360TeyE3VRA
• Other: soundcloud.com/alison-reynolds https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Q7INUfx3A18sM82MUAhT4?si=2wS7Lf4RTEyyrcKZ2el8mg alisonreynolds1.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Steve MacIntyre