Performing at Chicago Singer Spotlight on Wednesday, July 11 at FitzGerald's


Stolie
Born in 1978 as Rebecca Stoelinga, Stolie grew up in Deerfield, IL (a northern suburb of Chicago), and was most recognized as "Becky" (a name she would permanently ditch in high school). Shyer than anyone can now believe, grade school Stolie was a fast runner, a prize-winning elementary school-aged artist, and an eager student. She started playing piano in first grade at six years old, but left this interest behind 8 years later to concentrate on her artistic interests and kicking butt on the soccer field. Singing in school choirs from junior high through college provided opportunities for live performances and solos which helped to build confidence for future appearances. Stolie was also nominated and voted as the "funniest female" in junior high and high school, and this quality has proved to be of noteworthy mention in her recent performances as well. When she pulled out her mom's old classical guitar from the closet in 1995, just two chords would be the vamp for her first song, a tab book of U2's Joshua Tree would increase her chord vocabulary, and a few cover songs would grant her a gig opening for her friends' punk band in the cafeteria of Deerfield High School. By the time Stolie went to college at Illinois Wesleyan University just two years later, she would have over 50 songs. In November of 1996, Stolie recorded a 10-song cassette of original music and sold over 75 copies to students on campus -- a significant number for a college of 2000 and a girl who had just started playing with a pick. Needless to say, Stolie's lyrics and guitar playing have matured as they naturally would in time. And to capture her sonic progress, Stolie released her sophomore album, self-titled "Stolie," on her own record label, Screaming Galaxy Records, in December of 2000. Dorm room, college, bar, subway and coffeehouse performances, along with radio airplay, press coverage, and the help of other bigwigs on the bill, have helped in spreading around Stolie's name from Chicago to London. Her junior year of college was spent studying English literature at Queen Mary & Westfield College in London's east-end, and because the legal drinking age is just 18 over there, 20-year old Stolie was able to perform at open mikes (and eventually at proper performance venues) for a thus-far unexplored audience demographic, and with a beer by her side. Since then, Stolie has had the opportunity to open for cool cats like Willy Porter, Vance Gilbert, and Jeb Loy Nichols. Her Cd has been played on Chicago radio stations like WXRT, WBEZ, WLUW (Loyola Univ.), WNUR (Northwestern Univ.) As an obvious derivative of her real last name (that nobody really knows), "Stolie" will expect to be compared to Stolichnaya, the Russian vodka, but she doesn't mind at all. Currently, Stolie-with-an-E's favorite drink is Stoli Raspberry and tonic, with a lime. The future holds more records, more musicians, more additions to this beautiful webpage (thanks Gayle!), and more dates around the globe. Stolie would like to thank everyone who has supported her from the beginning, and everyone she may make smile along the way.

Larry Eckerling
Larry Eckerling has been the Bandleader of "Larry Eckerling & His Orchestra" since 1985. This group plays private parties and corporate events throughout the Chicago area. In his group, he is the keyboardist, one of four lead vocalists, and principle arranger. Larry also has a "second career" as a symphony conductor . He currently holds the position of Music Director and Conductor of the St. Cloud (Minnesota) Symphony Orchestra, which he has held since 1983. Also on his "classical" side, Larry is a pianist who has played many chamber music concerts in both Chicago and Minnesota. Larry also founded the "Lake Forest Synthesizer Duo", where from 1982 until 1990 he performed more than 400 educational concerts for students in schools throughout the Chicagoland area. Larry lives with his wife Sharon, and his son Jeremy in Glenview.

Ben Currie
Ben was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, IL. His first experience in music was like many, as a trumpet player in the school band. Later his interest grew and brought him to the Chicago Academy for the Arts where he studied the creative process and the role of art in society. Torn between the decadence of introspective abandon and the hollow gifts of frivolous entertainment he will share two songs from each camp tonight that are the cornerstones of his current 2 year recording project "LOADING".

Jackie Broderick
Since the first time Jackie Broderick saw The Beatles in concert at Comisky Park, she has been hooked on live music, as well as The Beatles. It has been a "Hard Days Night" for Jackie and it is time for her to have some fun. As an early childhood teacher, music and singing works wonders with children, so why not grown-ups? Welcome to Miss Jackie's grown-up "Circle Time." Remember, "All You Need is Love."