Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Berry
Hi Linda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Late Bloomer
I grew up in Martinsville, a small town in Virginia, and then later moved to Richmond VA when I was in middle school. I came from a family of musicians and music lovers. My Mom was a church choir director/ member for years, like her father, and went on to be in a Sweet Adelaide’s group and a member of the Richmond City choir. My love of music was initially inspired by my father and brothers’ eclectic record collection, which contained everything from Frank Sinatra to Curtis Mayfield to Allman Brothers. My brothers’ record collection spanned the perimeter of their bedroom floor and I used to sneak down and listen to all kinds of music when they weren’t home: black light posters and lava lamps to complete the experience.
When my sister turned me on to that first Bonnie Raitt album, which was a blues record, things were never the same. I learned all the lyrics by heart and using a hairbrush for a microphone, sang my little heart out in front of my bathroom mirror. Since then, I have remained a die hard Bonnie Raitt fan and have seen her perform dozens of times over the years.
Some of my other biggest musical influences are a host of other blues greats of past and present: Susan Tedeschi, Danielle Nicole, Beth Hart, Maria Muldaur, Etta James, Koko Taylor, to name a few. I’m also a big classic rock fan, always being drawn to bands with great lead singers like Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers, Bob Segar, Bad Company, Gov’t Mule and Chicago.
Never lost the love of music or singing, but went on to have a family, earn a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree and to teach at ESL at UCSD for the next 21 years. After Covid and being laid off from UCSD, I discovered my passion for teaching elementary school Special Ed and have been doing that for the last 3 years. In between raising a son and teaching, I joined a small group of local musicians who had “ living room jams” to get my singing fix. It was there that my friends began urging me to go to local open mics and try to sing in front of an audience, which was a horrifying thought to me! I did indeed do that many times and ended up being hired by a local blues band, Smokin’ Jr. My other “non- musician” friends were shocked because they had no idea I even sang. I joked and said “ I sent my only son to university and so I joined a band. Isn’t that what everyone does?”
Smokin’ Jr. Band eventually ran its course and I spent the next 6 or so years with January Berry Band, earning a SDMA nomination and releasing 2 albums (a combination of originals and covers).
Feeling ready to front my own band at that point, I formed the Linda Berry Band. With our current line up, we have been gigging since January 2024, only 7 months ago. I have been fortunate enough to find some amazing musicians to work with:
Joe Norwood- lead guitar and vocals
Tim Hempstead- bass and vocals
Kai Taylor- drums and vocals
Virginia Norwood- keys, vocals
In the short 7 months we’ve all been together, I think we’ve made great strides in developing our sound/style and getting out there and performing at Humphreys Backstage, Belly Up, and Pourhouse Oceanside, just to name a few venues. The audiences seem to respond to our unique mix of rock, blues,and funk tunes that we try to present in a soulful manner. It’s great to finally be able to pick the songs I feel passionate about and to sometimes venture out of the blues genre to try and find my own voice after all this time.
We are in the process of writing our own original songs which will further solidify what our individual sound is.
Of course, I cover a few Bonnie Raitt tunes in our set. After all, that’s where it began all those years ago. I guess I’m just a late bloomer.
Thanks to BMIII Media Management we are gaining an active social media presence and most of all thanks to friends and fans that are coming out to see us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
On the subject of challenges, it’s not something I’ve thought a lot about.
I guess I’ve had lots of challenges in my life, but I have a “ Little Engine That Could” attitude. I wanted to teach at UCSD, but they required a Master’s Degree. So I went back to school and got one while raising a toddler. Then went on to have a successful career at UCSD. After I made the decision to become a “ real” singer, I pounded the pavement until a band hired me. I continue today to take vocal lessons to improve my craft. When I decided to lead my own band, I took/am taking all the steps to make that happen. None of these things was easy, I’ve fallen and gotten up more times than I can count, I’m perseverant if nothing else.
I forgot to mention earlier, that while I was with my last band, I began playing a little rhythm guitar. Since then, I have been taking guitar lessons and trying to improve my skills. Playing guitar doesn’t come as naturally as singing does for me, but I really love it and want to continue this pursuit. So who knows, you may see me onstage sporting my Fender Strat soon. And as far as anything else thrown my way, I say “ bring it on”.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Because we are a new band, we have not released any music yet. It’s in the works!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lindaberryband
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550778103853&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image credits: Mike Reardon
