NY Entertainer of the Week – Christine Cherry

Christine Cherry is passionate about music. She is a talented singer/songwriter and a voice teacher! Check out our interview with Christine about her music, moving from Alabama to NYC, and more!

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Photo Credit: Pete O’Hare

upfrontNY: How did you get involved in music and what do you love most about it?

Christine Cherry: Music is such a bonding thing, it always brings people together in some way. Whether to process their feelings, communicate with each other, or just to celebrate. I got lucky enough in that I was born into a family of musicians. My father is a Minister of Music at a church in Alabama so growing up I was constantly listening to awesome singers (in 5 part harmony might I add). My brother, sister and I would sit in the church pew and flip through the hymnal and sight read in 3 part harmony together for fun while we waited on dad to be able to head home. So music is family for me. It just makes the most sense and feels the best.

upfrontNY: Who are your musical inspirations?

Christine Cherry: So many! For so many different reasons! As anyone who knows me will attest, I am a country girl true to core, but good music is good music. I’d say my biggest inspirations for what I write would be The Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton. I’m all about a good story and country music is known for being a world of storytellers. But don’t get me wrong, I’m also a self-proclaimed ACDC super fan (we could talk about this for awhile) and my running playlist consists of Mark Ronson and Missy Elliott, so there’s that.

upfrontNY: How would you describe your sound and your music?

Christine Cherry: My sound is a combination of Gospel, Blues and Southern Rock i’d say. We aren’t really what might immediately come to your mind if someone said “Country” to you. I’m more from the ‘old school definition of country where it was a little more rooted in Bluegrass and Blues. However, we still sing about tequila and Jesus, so some things remain intact. Most importantly my stuff is gritty and a little wild and loose, just like we like it.

upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your debut album, “Worth a Shot”?

Christine Cherry: This was such a wild ride! It all came about pretty quickly actually. I started writing only a couple years ago at the urging of my grandmother and best friend in the world, Peaches. She always told me that I “had something to say” and she would ask everyday what I was “working on”. So, because of her persistence I wrote my first song “Worth A Shot” sitting at Seva Indian Cuisine (which is the best indian food in Astoria might I add) over dinner one night. It just kinda came to me in one fail swoop (as most good songs do i’m noticing) and I scratched it out at home that night and sent it to her and that started the wild ride I’ve been on ever since.

She passed away 2 months later and that sent me into a bit of a whirlwind, but looking back it was her that made me a songwriter. I got really lucky with her. Then things just started flowing from there. It’s funny how life will make a wave for you to ride sometimes. I decided I wanted to record my tracks, I had 5 at the time, and I connected with Ryan Dunn (2/3 Goat) who is an extremely talented musician and asked him for help producing these tracks. He really was a lifesaver for me in this process, sometimes with moving forward with ideas you can only do it with the help of others and this was definitely the case for me. He helped me get together a group of musicians that blew my mind with their skills and over the course of 3 days we recorded 6 tracks, one of them I wrote 2 days before we went into the studio.

It all flew by in an instant and looking back it was magic that we accomplished all we did. Now it’s out there on iTunes, Spotify, and all the things for everybody to hear. Just nuts.

upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite song from the album?

Christine Cherry: That’s rough, that’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is. They’re all special in their own way! lol No but I’d say actually my favorite song from the album is the one that we don’t ever perform live oddly enough, It’s called “Not Home”. I’m not much of a sentimental generally with my music and this was the only ballad I had written by this point in time and part of the lyrics Peaches wrote so it has deeper meaning for me. Also, when we were in the studio recording it Andrew Sovine (my guitar player on the album) really brought something magical to this track. Sometimes you can’t explain what a song needs until you hear it and then it’s just that, magic.

upfrontNY: You are from Alabama and now living in Astoria, what was the transition like for you and your music?

Christine Cherry: I love Alabama. That is, and always will be, home for me. Sweet home. Growing up there really gives you a different idea of family and friends. Everyone’s family. I moved up here in 2006 and it definitely threw me for a curve. I think everyone goes into a bit of shock when you first get here and it takes a minute for you to find your bearings… I’m still looking for those things. As far as music goes, what most people don’t know about NYC is that there is actually an AMAZING country music scene here. Once you know where to look, you can find exactly what you need to fill your “backwoods” quota. So once I got involved it really sparked my music a lot. Some things never change, and country is in your blood from birth so no matter where I go, that’ll always be my true colors.

upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite place you perform?

Christine Cherry: This is a delightful question! We are really just now starting to “get around” as they say. So i’m starting to develop my favorites! Obviously Rockwood Music Hall holds a special place in my heart. Such a haven for all styles and types. I’m looking forward to playing at Skinny Dennis in the next little bit here because that’s another place that just fits me like a glove. Rough and rowdy, like we like it.

upfrontNY: What venue is on your performance bucket list?

Christine Cherry: Well, of course every Country music artist dreams of the Opry, or the Bluebird, or the Ryman. These are just the mecca for country music, and nothing compares. Ah… a girl can dream.

As far as local bucket list places! I’m dying to get into Hill Country, they always have such fun live music there and amazing crowds, that’s my cup a sweet tea there. Also, on the rumor mill right now is there is a new venue that is opening in Times Square in the new year called “Opry City Stage” and if things pan out like they lookin… I think this may well be my new dream spot. But bottom line is, anywhere that has good country music and good tequila is quality in my mind.

upfrontNY: Is there anything you want others to know about you and your music?

Christine Cherry: Me and my boys we are a group of misfits. The music I write is about being true to yourself, no matter what. You know there’s a bunch of people who the second they hear “Country” music, they’ve made up their mind they ain’t gone like you one bit. But my favorite thing to do is make those people change their mind. We are most importantly a party band. In my mind, music is a way to bring something real and right now. So whenever we play out anywhere, whether you like “cowboy chords” or not, always know that if you swing through I guarantee, fun will follow.

upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your work as a voice teacher ?

Christine Cherry: Totally! I work during the week as a professional vocal coach and music teacher. I mainly work with adults who are trying to get control of their range and vocal style and wanna be able to perform out with confidence (that’s the hard part). But I also work with kiddos and teach choir! If anyone would be interested in lessons please contact me through my website Christinecherry.com and I would love to talk with them about their goals as a singer. Trust me, I’ve worked with people of ALL ages and ALL abilities… and anyone who wants to sing, CAN.

upfrontNY: What do you enjoy most about living in NYC?

Christine Cherry: I’m a foodie, so there’s that lol. But honestly, what I enjoy best about the city is how it breathes and the constant flow of energy. There aren’t many other cities that offer us the level of talent that New York gives. When you get away from here and take a break, it feels nice for a couple of days… and then I immediately start to miss being here. Something about this crazy place really sparks your soul. In both the worst and the best ways sometimes it seems, but I wouldn’t have it any other way .