Atención Music Spotlight: Karen Libby, Hard Work Pays Off

By Felecia Ford

When music is truly your calling, it has a way of finding you throughout your life—and Karen Libby’s story is a wonderful example of that. It is my pleasure to introduce this month’s Music Spotlight on Karen, one of my favorite musicians in town.  

FF: What are your earliest memories of music?

KL: I grew up in upstate New York with parents who loved music-Jazz, mostly 1920’s & 1930’s was always playing in the house.  My father had a massive collection of old 78’s. My mom was more into classical and broadway, so I got the best of all worlds.  It wasn’t a question of “if” I would play an instrument but “which ones.” My older brother began piano lessons at 7, and I was 5 begging my mom to let me have lessons too. She made me sign a contract that I would take lessons for three years.  (Haha) 

FF: That’s so great, she taught you about having skin in the game!  You said you received both classical and jazz training, and at one point envisioned a career in the symphony world. What ultimately led you in a different direction?

KL: I was first chair oboist in a state symphony and some of those symphony musicians, my peers, were not nice humans.  So, instead of staying on the symphonic route, I went to college for a journalism & management with a double major. 

FF: Then you worked several decades in the corporate world.  Did you continue music during that time and if so,  how did you juggle the two careers? 

KL:  At first I was a news director at a radio station (5am-1pm) and played nights.  When I set out on the road, I left radio behind.

FF: You spent some years performing professionally on the road. What were the biggest lessons you learned during that period of your life?

KL:  Be true to yourself, play the music you love, be super nice to the bar staff, and be humble. Also, don’t trust your agent when they tell you there’s a ski resort in Appleton, Wisconsin. Walk away when the signs tell you it’s time, because you will be back. 

FF: What inspired your move to San Miguel?

KL: My husband & I were retiring and wanted an adventure. His sister had moved to San Miguel a few years previously, so we loved visiting and decided to make it home.  We knew the music scene was good, but it wasn’t until we moved here that we discovered how amazing the music community really is. 

FF: You add so much to San Miguel's already diverse music scene, I’m glad you’re here. You make cover songs all your own and that’s an art form in and of itself.  What is your secret to keeping covers fresh?

KL: I choose a cover song because it just grabs me and demands to be sung. Sometimes they come out as a “cover” and other times I just hear the song in a different way.  So, I just let it flow through me. 

FF: Is there a song you sing that you wish you had written? 

KL:  Natural Woman by Carol King. That one is one of the best.  

FF: Yes, I love that one too. Woman Power!  What musical goals are still on your bucket list?

KL: I would love to play more Great American Songbook, with a band.  Also,  I have some original songs I want to record. Myles Wakeham and I have had a chat recently, so when I think they are ready, I look forward to getting into his new studio!

FF: That’s great news! I really look forward to hearing your recordings Karen. After all these years, what role does music play in your life today that it didn’t play when you were younger?

KL: Since it’s not about “making a living” any longer with music, I think I am having more fun- Not striving to reach some brass ring. 

FF: Thank you for your beautiful musical presence and for this interview.  Can you leave us with your favorite music quote? 

KL:  Linda Ronstadt once said, “you know you’ve made it in music when you don’t have to work as a waitress.”   

San Miguel music lovers, I suggest you go hear Karen Libby this month as she graces the stages of several very intimate live music venues in town- every Saturday in July at Johnny’s Piano Bar, and catch her once a month at Martini Mondays at Raindog Cantina and once a month at Silveyra’s. 

www.facebook.com/libbykaren

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