I had the pleasure of interviewing Dulcie Taylor, a singer-songwriter who is based in the Washington D.C. metro area. American Roots music is her genre, a mix of country, jazz and folk, all the music styles that are distinctly American.
Born in South Carolina, now a resident of McClain Virginia, Dulcie performs all around the D.C. Metro area and up and down the East Coast, and has played at the Kennedy Center and the Birchmere, among other places. She loves coming to Frederick, “the people are so friendly and the City of Frederick is a beautiful place,” she proclaims, in her charming southern drawl. She plays in Frederick several times a year, and will be performing at Brewer’s Alley on May 7th.
Dulcie has been a musician all her life, starting with the Ukelele at age 5. Her early memory of 4 children plunking out “A Gnome Passes By” brings to mind my own experiences of my children’s recitals. She fondly recalls years of piano lessons and recitals, and a teacher who marked middle C with a lipstick smudge.
Along the way, she picked up a guitar and a dulcimer, and taught herself to play. She has a multitude of experiences in various bands, and has shared the stage with names we all know, like Jerry Lee Lewis and Bonnie Raitt, among others.
Going Solo
She began her solo career in 2000 with her first album, The Other Side of the Bed. She was immediately well-received and earned a Wammie (Washington Area Music Award). Her latest album, Free of This Sorrow was released in March 2012 on MesaBluemoon label, which features John McEuen, Tim Pierce and others. She was highlighted just this week next to Madonna on MSN Music. Congrats Dulcie!
American Roots Music
Dulcie Taylor writes music on several instruments, but “thinks linearly, in piano”, she explains. She writes most of her own songs, but has a few that are co-written and enjoys the creative process with musicians she trusts and respects. Her inspiration can be anything from everyday life.
For instance, she wrote a song for her friend who struggles with bi-polar issues, called “Free pf tjos Sorrow”, the title tune of her new CD. She writes about love, relationships and family, about life circumstances and things we all can relate to. Dulcie sees song-writing as an art; the art is communication. The muse is real life. “Writing is about filling yourself up…I’m careful about what I watch and read. I don’t watch all the violence and I don’t want the imagery in my head.”
You can hear her latest music at ALBUM STREAM: http://soundcloud.com/jensen-communications/sets/dulcie-taylor-free-of-this/s-E5dSA
Dulcie is also a writer of poetry and prose, and holds a position on the Board of Directors of the Poetry Series at the Folger Shakespeare Library, in Washington, D.C.
Be sure to catch Dulcie Taylor at one of these upcoming venues:
- April 14 Shenandoah Coffeehouse Series -Leesburg
- April 15 Church of the Resurrection – Alexandria
- April 28 The Music Cafe – Damascus
- May 7th @ Brewer’s Alley, 124 North Market Street Frederick, MD 21701.
Dulcie's Two Bill Davis/Jean Shilling Dilcimers
