March 9, 2007

The Me&Thee is holding its first Open Mike in many years on Friday, March 9, giving singers, songwriters, poets, and storytellers an opportunity to display their talents. Performers will be allowed 10 minutes each. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 7:00 p.m. The performances will begin at 7:30 p.m, followed by a feature set by Cindy Bullens at 8:30 p.m. Depending on the number of participants involved, we will continue to present the acts after the feature set. Please note: This is an evening of acoustic music. The Me&Thee is a listening room, first and foremost.

We are especially delighted to present Cindy Bullens as our feature performer. Cindy is a North Shore native who grew up in Topsfield and Newbury (and now calls Maine her home). She is currently a member of an acoustic music “super group” called the Refugees which also includes Wendy Waldman, Jenny Yates, and Deborah Holland. The Refugees will be taking their act on a west coast tour this summer and will be coming east in 2007. Cindy’s music career began in Los Angeles in 1974 when she moved there with little more than her songs, her guitar, and a burning desire to make music. Cindy got her first real break when she crashed a studio party and met Elton John, who was impressed enough to hire Cindy as a backup singer on his U.S. tour. Cindy sang with Elton on three major tours, as well as the multi-platinum album, “Blue Moves” and on his 1976 No. 1 Pop single “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart.”

In 1978, Cindy was nominated for a Grammy Award for her vocal performances on the “Grease” film soundtrack. The following year, she released her debut solo album, “Desire Wire,” and scored a breakthrough hit with her song “Survivor,” which earned Cindy a second Grammy Award nomination for best rock vocal performance.

Cindy set aside her career to raise two daughters, Reid, now 23, and Jessie, who passed away in 1996. In the mid 90’s, Cindy began spending time in Nashville, writing song with other esteemed songwriters. Such diverse artists as Texas blues diva Sarah Brown, New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas, and pop-country superstars the Dixie Chicks have all recorded Cindy’s songs. Cindy continued to record throughout the 90s and most particularly the album “Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth,” written after her daughter Jessie’s death. The album received the AFIM (independent music) award for “Best Rock Album.” One of the highlights of her 2000 tour was releasing her album “Neverland” and opening a series of California concerts at the personal request of headliner Emmylou Harris.

Cindy’s sixth solo album, “Dream #29,” was released last year and has won her more and more fans and admirers in the acoustic and folk music world. The album features Sir Elton John playing rollicking piano on the title track, a duet with roadhouse bluesman Delbert McClinton and a guest vocal by the World Champion Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. “Dream #29” is an absorbing collection of rock & roll, balancing poignant and introspective songs with a down-and-dirty rock & roll attitude.

 

 

As another rocker who has grown up and managed to incorporate adult concerns into her work without sacrificing the passion and energy of youth, Cindy Bullens deserves to be mentioned alongside such peers as Bruce Springsteen, John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt and Steve Earle. . . No Depression