Performing at Chicago Singer Spotlight at FitzGerald's on Wednesday, May 9

Wendy Morgan
Wendy was born on the South side of Chicago and began singing at a very early age, at 13 she studied voice while starting a group with some neighborhood girlfriends. Ms. Morgan's first professional job came at the ripe age of seventeen. She landed a singing job with a 12 piece orchestra and the opportunity to go on the road performing a shows nightly. On a full scholarship, Wendy attended The Art Institute of Chicago, followed by the Chicago Musical College and finally graduating from DePaul University in 1988. During a prior period during the late 70's, Wendy moved to Los Angeles to pursue singing and acting where she landed small spots on "Day's of Our Lives", joined an original R & B trio "Clazz" and sang nightly at Miceli's Restaurant in North Hollywood. In 1986 Ms. Morgan moved back to Chicago reconnecting with family, finishing school and putting together a one woman show. With an assortment of career sucesses a cabaret show at the Racoon Club and starting her own Rock band "Girl's on Film" Wendy began taking her songwriting seriously. A decade of experience later in 1996 Wendy released her debut CD "Say Wen." The song "Anyday Now" co-written with Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Tom Krol won a Billboard achievement award and "I Just Let Go" co-written with pianist Frank Caruso received regular airplay on WGCI radio and American Airlines. You can hear her voice on TV and Radio commercials with the most popular being McDonalds' "Have You Had Your Break Today?" campaign. Recently Wendy Morgan established The Local Vocal Brew, a singers showcase in Chicago. Wendy has returned to her writing preparing for another CD release soon and performs live with her group Insideout.

Amy Mowery
Amy is a proud third generation Chicagoan, born and raised in the North Side neighborhood of Lincoln Square. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in journalism, she worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance graphic designer and magazine art director before settling into her current career as an internet producer for WGN-TV in Chicago. Music, however, has been an integral part of her life ever since her older sister gave her a copy of the Monkees album, The Birds, The Bees and the Monkees, when Amy was five. An avid live music fan, she has traveled around the country to see her favorite bands including Poi Dog Pondering, Los Lobos, The Scabs, Alison Krauss, John Wesley Harding, Galactic, Tony Furtado and Ellis Paul. That devotion led her to the Old Town School of Folk Music to study voice, under the guidance of Alison Ruble. In the past two years, Amy has performed a mix of blues, folk and country at Buddy Guy's Legends, the Abbey Pub, Gunther Murphy's and the Lyon's Den. Amy co-produces Chicago Singer Spotlight and Singer Spotlight North Shore with Becca Kaufman.

Derrick Procell
With his Southern roots and urban sensibilities, Derrick Procell naturally blends the elements that make up Country music today. He cut his musical teeth at an early age, fronting a variety of bands from high school on. The pop, rock, blues and country styles all helped to shape what would become his trademark sound. The most notable of these acts was the Midwestern favorite, Arroyo. Led by Derrick's "in your face" vocals, keyboards and harmonica, this nationally known country/rock band attracted new fans at every performance. Their debut album, fueled by Derrick's original songs, won the first ever WAMI Award for Best Album. After several years of touring and flirting with national success, Derrick decided to concentrate on his writing and production skills. He became a much sought after studio singer and voice-over artist, and has been featured on countless national commercials over the last fifteen years. As a songwriter, Derrick has won the LA Songwriters Showcase, and several Billboard Songwriting Awards. He has also enjoyed chart success with the internationally acclaimed Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Derrick is currently at work on his first solo-artist CD, and is a sought after for record projects by local area artists.

Dinah Barthelmess
Dinah really got busy singing when, in her grade school years, a record producer, contract in hand, came running to the front door of her suburban Cleveland home upon hearing her croon tunes from the "Man of LaMancha" soundtrack and "Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits" in key with the vacuum. Well, that's her version, though apparently, except for the part about the record producer, it's all true! When she discovered she couldn't pursue a degree in vacuuming, she went the route of vocal performance. Now Dinah studies jazz, seeks out performance opportunities of all kinds, and listens to as much music as she can. She's got lots of music in her, and is thankful to Becca and Amy for this chance to let some of it out! and to all of you for supporting developing artists and live music!