Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Noe
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My relationship with music started at a very early age. My childhood stories include mini-home concerts singing along with the radio with a hairbrush microphone and picking out ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’ on my dad’s guitar. My mother taught me to read music before I could read a book. My love affair with music took off from that point. However, I could not sing in front of anyone because I was painfully shy. It was very frustrating to have these gifts and not get past my own anxiety. In my 20’s, I started work in a psychiatric hospital. My charge nurse, who knew I could sing and play guitar, asked if I would play for the patients. This was the affirmation of the power of music. One of our patients suffering from dementia no longer would respond to the conversation was in my music group. After hearing Amazing Grace, she looked up, said it was beautiful, then began to eat her lunch. There are many more stories like this. Incredible what music brings to the table.
The gifts I have to keep me connected to both my community and myself. When I moved to St. Petersburg, from Louisville, KY, in 1996, my goal was to write, perform, and make a living so I could focus solely on honing my craft. It took a few years, but my dream did take root. Now I play in many different ways. Weddings, special parties, in hospitals, churches, and with COVID-19 now in online communities. What brings me joy is watching how people react to certain songs. Music can touch our past, present, and hopes for our future. We can be strangers, but just for a moment, we are sharing the feelings music brings, and that makes us kindred. I am so blessed.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has had its bumps. First, I had to overcome my anxiety/shyness. Second, I didn’t think anyone would listen to an obese Lesbian. There were not many of those role models in my part of town. I had to find my voice. College helped me. Since my studies were in opera and theater, I found lots of musicians who looked like me, which pushed my drive to succeed. Coming out gave me the power I could not have imagined. Now I had another way to vocalize. Once I started to believe in myself and my purpose, my personal road bumps became less. There have been business issues like no one knowing my name at first, etc. It is all about learning to go around or overcome things that get in our way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a singer-songwriter who plays guitar, keyboard and percussion. My style of music is Americana, Indie, Alternative, and more. Hard to pigeonhole me because my repertoire is large. Performing and writing are my joy and I share that with those that come to see me play. I would say my specialty is making people feel happy, smile and uplifted. I recently won the Creative Loafing Best of the Bay 2020: Singer-Songwriter award, which makes me feel accomplished. The thing that makes me most proud, though, are the comments from people and the connections that music has allowed me to make. I treasure my friendships music has brought to my life.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
All credit, first and foremost, goes to God. He has blessed me beyond measure with my gifts. My family has supported my growth from the time I can remember. Always my greatest cheerleaders and counselors when needed. My friends and fans are incredible! I love talking to people who connect with me at gigs, online or in person. The stories they share about their life makes me feel like part of their family. In 1997, I met an amazing performer, Wendy Benson (out of Orlando). She became my mentor, my friend and my sister. Watching her shows, I learned about just being in the moment, being able to laugh at myself and performing is about having fun. Karmic Tattoo Band (my friends Pam Green, Amy Black and myself) shaped my presence here in St. Petersburg. We had a wonderful following and our musicianship grew with each other. I will never forget those experiences. Now I am working with an amazing production team at TNT Groove International. Happy to say is my Label! Tim Conwell is an amazing person to have in your corner. Writer, the master behind the console, musician, and always open to sharing what he knows. I love this man! TNT and Tim helped me bring my latest CD Project, “The Ride” into the mainstream. I can’t wait to work on more projects with him.
Contact Info:
- Email: lisanoemusic@gmail.com
- Website: www.lisanoe.com
- Instagram: lisanoe65
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisanoemusic
- Twitter: @lisanoe
- Youtube: lisanoe@gmail.com
Image Credits
James Geiger Photography 2012
