Teri Catlin

SOLDIER OF LIGHT
Some artists have such a personal vision, that their work takes on a universal character. Some songwriters have such an insight into the joys and frustrations of everyday life, that they somehow express what the rest of us are feeling too. And some singers have such heart and soul, that the sound of their voice brings a story to life right before our eyes. Teri Catlin is one of these rare artists, a singer/songwriter in the rock/R&B tradition whose music is original and authentic--and a live performer whose stage presence is captivating and charismatic.
As Teri says of her work: “If I had to choose one word to describe what I do, I’ve always seen myself as a storyteller. No matter what kind of songs I write--from love ballads to political, social, and/or environmental issues--I’m always telling a story, painting pictures with words, melodies, and the sound of my voice. And I’ve always preferred live performance in front of an audience. That’s where the songs take on a life of their own, night after night.”
Born in Flint, Michigan, Teri began playing piano and drums at five. At the age of seven, she shifted to violin, quickly becoming known as a child prodigy on the instrument, performing for luminaries such as Itzhak Perlman, who was mesmerized by Teri’s talent. By age twelve, Teri became a soloist with the Flint Symphony Orchestra, receiving rave reviews in the regional music press, then studied for three years with the Wisconsin Symphony School of America, winning a Silver Medal in the Worldwide Orchestra Competition in Ottawa, Canada.
But due to a traumatic home environment, Teri felt an urgent need to break free at age fourteen, becoming a homeless runaway, making money playing piano and singing Top 40 music in bars, hotels, and restaurants. Eventually drifting from Michigan to the friendlier winter climate of South Florida, Teri planted her roots and took up guitar and bass guitar, adding these to her arsenal of piano, violin, and drums. Teri also began honing her skills as a songwriter and vocalist with a style and personality all her own, creating a huge loyal following which grows more and more with every show.
Teri produced her self-titled debut CD, featuring ten of her most compelling songs, from the love ballads “Baby” and “I Am,” to the hard-hitting urban realism of “Castles” and “Cry,” to the sexy blues-drenched rocker “Get Off,” to the triumphant personal anthems “Alive,” “Stand Your Ground,” and “Who I Am.” Each performance has its own unique power and flavor, with the vivid imagery of Teri’s lyrics combined with her unconventional approach to melody and arrangement. Teri has since written over a dozen new songs that will appear on her second studio CD, many of which are already live favorites, including stories of family like "Mama" and "I Miss You," songs for the planet like "Carry Me Away" and "A Better Way," and funked-out rockers like "Devil in Disguise," "Eleventh Hour," and "Keep Yo Head."
Although her songs cover a wide range of topics and emotions, Teri says: “All of my music basically comes down to one thing--the experience of being alive, with all of the joy and pain that goes with it. We have one life to live, and one planet to live it on. We owe it to ourselves and to the world around us to give it everything we’ve got. Whether I’m singing about love or war, it’s all about the same thing--keeping it real. My heroes are those same great artists that we all revere: Bob Marley, John Lennon, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Dylan, Janis, Bono, Prince--people who stand up for what they believe in and speak straight from the heart. You might call them Soldiers of Light. That’s where I’m coming from.”
• Opened for Omarion at 2006 SunFest
• Performed at Lenny Kravitz-hosted fundraiser for abused children
• Vocalist for Richard Marley Band 2002
• Opened for blues legend John Hammond at Hollywood Playhouse
• Opened the Pre-Grammy Awards show at Hard Rock Miami with Nestor Torres and Dana Paul
• Calliope Fest with Lisa Loeb 2002, Ani DiFranco 2003, Sophie B. Hawkins 2004
• Soundtrack contribution for major motion picture "Booty Call"
• Top 5 finalist in VH1’s Save the Music songwriting competition for “Baby”
• Winner of John Lennon Songwriting Contest for “Who I Am”
• Winner of 94.9 Zeta FM singer/songwriter competition, nominated to open for Staind
• Headliner for Greenpeace International Day of Action on Global Warming 2006
• Headliner for Mayan Calendar Fund benefit concert, Tobacco Road, Miami
• Annual Earth Day concerts 1996-2002, Ft. Lauderdale
• Opened for Donna the Buffalo at Harvest Moon Festival
• Opened on tour for Snake Oil Medicine Show
• Opened for Deep Banana Blackout, New Years Eve 2001, Carefree Theatre, West Palm Beach