Phoenix
Phoenix, the American folk-pop duo based in Salem, Oregon, comprises award-winning songwriters Tim and Kathy Crosby, who have been performing together for over two decades. Their collaboration has resulted in several CDs and a reputation for exceptional songwriting and entertainment. Tim and Kathy have performed across the United States, drawing comparisons to artists like Willie Nelson, Gillian Welch, and David Rawlings. Their music showcases their multi-instrumental talents and diverse vocal abilities.
Their second album, released on June 1, 2022, features top-streamed/downloaded songs like "The Boxer," "Someday I'm Going to Wake Up," and "The House of the Rising Sun." "Viewpoint" received a Global Music Award for folk and lyrics/songwriting and a W.A.M. silver award for Best Cover Song ("House of the Rising Sun"). Their music is featured on various specialty shows and radio stations.
Following the success of "Viewpoint," they released a new single, "Calamity Blues," on May 1, 2023, which won a bronze medal for Americana singer/songwriter in the Global Music Awards.
As accomplished songwriters and performers, they've received numerous accolades, including Global Music Awards, Josie Award nominations, and recognition from W.A.M. and Intercontinental Music Awards for their outstanding contributions to the folk and Americana music genres.
For fans who have never heard your music, can you pick three words to describe it?! If three words just aren't enough then tell us more!!
American folk pop. (We have been introduced as this several times. so I looked it up)
Folk-pop music is a musical style that combines elements of folk and pop music. Folk music is a type of traditional and rural music that is usually learned by ear and performed by ordinary people, often for social or ritual purposes. Pop music is a type of modern and urban music that is usually created for mass consumption and entertainment, often with catchy melodies and simple lyrics. Folk-pop music can be either folk songs with large, sweeping pop arrangements, or pop songs with intimate, acoustic-based folk arrangements. Some examples of folk-pop artists are The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver, and Mumford and Sons.
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why.
Definitely performing. There is something about finding that one person in the audience who really "gets" it, people singing along, and the friends and connections you make along the way.
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
Work!! We have a fabulous engineer/producer who always makes us better than we were when we walked into the studio. You may not always realize why you are doing so many takes, until you hear the finished product. It is exhausting, sometimes difficult to communicate how you feel, and ALWAYS a learning experience. We have never been disappointed with the outcome.
Okay, this a fun question. When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing?
We are not only full-time musicians, but we teach private music lessons also. We sort of eat, sleep, and breathe music. We live in an urban area, so we walk a lot. Gardening is a passion. Reading is a nightly tradition. Most of our family lives close by so we are blessed to be able to spend so much time with them.
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
Taylor Swift (3 HOURS of performing as the lead voice! Wow!), Molly Tuttle (she is the first woman to be named IBMA guitarist of the year, an insightful songwriter, and doesn't let her health issues get in her way), Lady Gaga (her humanitarian word, and lordy can she sing!), Ted Bruun (head of the Extreme Tour/The Objective - he takes music to underserved communities and spreads a message of love and acceptance), Dolly Parton (She's Dolly! Full of love, generous with her time and finances, humble to the core)
Can you tell us what song you've written that is the most emotional and describe the meaning behind it?
Who Will Pray for Me? Written by Kathy Crosby, BMI This song was written after my Mom died, then one of my brothers died four months later. It was, obviously, a tough year for the family. We couldn't perform it on stage for months as the band couldn't get through it without crying!
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
We are! We're hoping for a new album in 2024. It will be a combination of covers and originals.
Tell us where fans can access your music.
PHOENIX (Tim and Kathy Crosby) Live performance link.
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