We were lucky to catch up with Suzanne Shea recently and have shared our conversation below.

Suzanne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

….I’d say yes. Music was a lightning rod for me early on. Listening to the variety of music at home when growing up had the greatest influence on my road in music and love of variety of music. My mother and father were always singing old songs around the house and I was able to pick up the melodies immediately and soon singing along. Doing the dishes with Mom was fun singing songs from 30s and 40s we kids all sang along .. and I and one of my older sisters would harmonize.
Also, all those great records and albums my sisters and brother bought and played over and over on the Hi Fi are a huge part of my love of variety I’d hear everything from Montovani to Chuck Berry.

TOP 40 Radio was big. Late at night when one of my sisters fell asleep I’d sneak into her room, grab her cool 1958 transistor radio, and put it under my pillow. I’d fall asleep every night listening to a variety of songs from late 50s and early 60s.

Another big influence was a younger cousin who lived down the street. Her father would take her to Musicals in town and he always bought the album at the end of the show. She’d call me the next day and we’d sit and listen to every song. We learn them by playing them over and over and then recreate the shows in her living room dancing around ..lost in a world of music and stages! Wish I had video of those moments!

When I was about 13 an aunt and uncle took me to see The Kingston Trio; it was my first live band concert. I sat there transfixed …Wow! singers who play guitar could make a living playing music to people! Right there I knew what I’d do for my livlihood. And though I never made it to being a known name or big concert stages, I succeeded in my vision of me being a singer of songs to audiences for the next 50+ yrs.

I taught myself some chords on a very inexpensive guitar my folks bought me. I’d find song lyrics in song books or learn them right off the record. In those days you had to have patience of a saint to get lyrics off the record. You’d play the record, then start it again, hear the line, lift the needle off the record, and write down each line of the song that way. By the time you finished finding the lyrics you’d know the song really well. I’d teach myself the guitar chords by first using diagram books then in time I knew what chords to use “by ear” I’d hear the changes.

SPEAKING of the lyrics. One of the best things for getting lyrics off a record or the radio was Shorthand! I took it at Grossmont College for a year and it came in so handy. I’d hear a song on the radio and be able to write the lyrics down as the song played.

At age 15 I started signing up for OPEN MIC (“HOOT” nights ) at Coffeehouses around town. We had some great ones in San Diego. I loved every single minute of playing music to live audiences.. feeling that symbiotic connection of singer and listeners.

Suzanne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My first answer probably has most of this information in all I said! LOL.. but the minute I started playing guitar and singing I knew I’d be a performer in venues all my life.

I wasn’t ever interested in recording. I did some of that over the years for sure but to me the magic of music is not in the “business” side of it but in the actual time of performing a song.. the connection of humanity via sounds/tones of music.

I adore talking to people and meeting others, be it at my gigs or while standing in line at a grocery store or traveling in USA or points beyond. So music for me is more about connecting with humanity than anything.

I get very existential on this all. :) but it truly is a wonder. I feel so privileged I got to /still get to, bring music to humanity. EVEN on just the small scale I have done/will continue doing.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Rewards of being a Creative … There is something about Music that makes people want to connect with you if you play an instrument or sing… and since we have so much to learn from others around us in life, the beauty of music is that often it’s a draw-in.. and we get a chance to connect with others.

I myself am fascinated by a million other professions out there and the people who pursue them. Music often allows me that extra minute to get to know people and hear what they do ….

Again.. Music is about a vibration to all living things and humans are truly moved by if and most everyone responds to it. EVEN THOSE who did not get to grow up around music.. they can sense it in other ways…

Have you ever had to pivot?

Yes.. the time I had to pivot in my life in music was March 2020 After 52 yrs of gigging for a living, it all ended overnight due to the Pandemic.

All venues and businesses closed up. I also at the same time got very sick for 4 weeks.. No idea if it was Covid or? but it was the worst upper respiratory infection I ever experienced. I was home sick as dog and had the deepest, deepest horrible cough …20 hrs a day for 2 weeks straight . it stripped my vocal cords.

EVEN if venues had opened up at that point I was not able to sing. It took me a year or so to get even a fairly Ok sound out of my voice again.

Instead, that year I made videos at home of me playing guitar and Whistling songs! (I’m a good whistler!) I also created a Comedy Character called “PAMELA TRUTH” and would make these crazy videos just o to keep myself busy and creative and sane (as insane as the vids were!) lol.

It’s only recently I’m now getting my voice back to sing and being invited to join some friends’ gigs and get up there and sing again. So there is a lot of joy there hoping I still have some years left to do what I love to do.

I’ve missed that connection with humanity aspect of it the most .. but it also sure helped pay some bills. I live on very little income so I sure miss the help on income.. but it’s the people in my audiences I’ve missed the most. Here’s hoping for gigs that might still be coming up! We’ll see!

Contact Info:

• Website: SuzanneSheaMusic.com
• Facebook: SoozMusic50
• Youtube: Suzanne Shea Comedy & Music
• Other: Suzanne Shea ReverbNation

Image Credits
Tina Irey and Victor Avila