Linda Geleris: Press

Touching_hearts_with_harmony.pdf

Linda Geleris recently learned to 

play the dulcimer. She has been 

practicing her technique by 

watching YouTube videos of 

singer Joni Mitchell play the 

unique instrument.  

 

Geleris called herself a songwriter at heart who 

started at 14 or 15 years old, but who didn't 

delve fully into her talent until after the birth of 

her third child, who is now 15.  

 

"I decided then to take the gifts that were given 

me and move forward with music, whatever 

that looked like," Geleris said. 

 

The Glendora resident started by pouring her 

feelings into song lyrics and arrangements, 

followed by networking with other musicians to 

learn the ins and outs of getting her work 

heard. During her first networking mission, she 

made friendships that ultimately led to her 

original song "Call Me Crazy" being featured in 

the 1997 Columbia Tri-Star film "Implicated." 

 

Since then, Geleris, a former high school 

teacher, has released two CDs, including her 

latest "If I Only Had a Minute," as well as 

founded a songwriters network (website

theSongNet.com)

SongNet connects and mentors artists By Michelle J. Mills, Staff Writer Posted: 02/04/2010 03:16:23 PM PST

Jimi Yamagishi performs at the SongNet Songwriter's Showcase which he leads on the third Wednesday of every month at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Jimi Yamagishi grew up in East Los Angeles surrounded by music.

In the 1970s, he began making his own joyful noise, singing and playing guitar in church. Soon, he formed Inspirit, which toured throughout California, followed by the band Revelation. Armed with a good reputation, he was asked to fill in as the bass player for Everlasting, which led to a full-time gig through the '80s. The '90s brought Yamagishi to Selah Cafe, a multi-genre, guitar-based instrumental group and the opportunity to do some solo work on the side. But the sunshine was fading, as Yamagishi was working in the Asian-American Christian Community and the record labels didn't think his music was marketable. So he started his own label and joined SongNet, an organization for songwriters, musicians, artists and music industry professionals. The group sponsors events, seminars, showcases and collaboration. "SongNet is an organization which provides a connection between the music industry and community," Yamagishi said.

SongNet was started in 1999 by Los Angeles songwriter Linda Geleris. She felt isolated early in her career and, realizing many creative types felt the same, Geleris decided to form a group to provide networking and support. Meetings began once a month at Beantown, a coffee shop in Sierra Madre. By 2001, SongNet had grown extensively, so Geleris asked Yamagishi to take over for her as its director. The group moved to Borders bookstore in Pasadena and later, with the support of Bob Stane, relocated to his venue, the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. SongNet has now spread worldwide and its membership continues to grow.

. . .  "SongNet is one avenue to bring your music to the next level. It is a place for all kinds of music." michelle.mills@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811 Ext. 2128 SONGNET Los Angeles Songwriter's Network 7:30 p.m. first and third Wednesdays of the month Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena Free www.thesongnet.org Read more: http://www.sgvtribune.com/rds_search/ci_14335322#ixzz0frLjN25r

Glendora, CA Jan. 30, 2010 – Cathie Lou Parker

    Music will be a huge part of merry-making during Glendora Village’s first Wine Walk on Friday, Feb. 12, beginning at 6 p.m.

            The Wine Walk will raise funds for the Bryan Clay Foundation, the national non-profit corporation established by Clay, Glendora’s own 2008 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist. The foundation was created to help motivate and empower youth with the opportunities, desire, and the practical tools necessary to maximize their potential. Its vision is “Building champions, changing lives.”  

            The event will also benefit the Glendora Village Business Improvement District with community events and beautification of the downtown area. Tickets are $35 per person, and are available at businesses throughout Glendora Village.

            Those toasting with various vintages at 15 tasting stations at stores throughout the Village will be entertained by a variety of musicians, many of whom have performed at popular Saturday morning concerts at String Music, the downtown guitar store.

            One of those musicians is singer-songwriter Linda Geleris, who will be performing at the Village Book Shop, 123 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora. She will be joined by mandolin player Steve Wilke and stand-up bass player Paul Dorn, who are members of Two Frets Down, a bluegrass band in which Geleris has just started performing.

            As you listen to Geleris sing her own compositions that range from folk to country to pop, you would think she’s a lifelong, career musician. But that’s not the case and the journey she’s taken is reminiscent of many musicians.

            Starting with piano lessons in 7^th and 8^th grade, her first guitar experience came when she was singing with a guitarist and a harmonica player. “I kinda wanted to learn guitar, so they gave me a cassette of Neil Young’s ‘The Needle and the Damage Done,’ for me to learn,” she recalled. “It’s a lot of picking, but I learned it in about an hour” without any formal lesson. That was just the beginning. 

            High school and college talent shows fueled her fire for music, Geleris recalled, but at the same time she felt that a music career was not approved of by her parents. “My parents would have been fine with my obtaining a music degree, and teaching music, but I wanted to write and perform.”

            She “kept her hand in it” until her early 20s when she “was already feeling older than other college students in a local competition. Then I kinda dropped out of it. I’d sing in church or write a song every so often, but I didn’t know what to do with it.”

            That continued through the first 10 years of her marriage to Joe Geleris and their family – Katie, now 20, Brianna, 18, Daniel, 15.  

            It was a near-fatal health crisis when Daniel was a baby that gave Geleris an epiphany she credits with kick-starting a serious pursuit of music that continues today.

            “God had to rebuild me – the  trauma of almost losing a child, growing up and not having my talent recognized – I had to work out a lot of different issues,” she recalled. “Without Joe’s  support, I would’ve given up my musical dreams for my family. He’s put up with a lot, but we’ve balanced it out. We kinda eeked it out. We’re the right people to be together.”

            Geleris has two solo CDs: The Trouble with Love (2003) and If I Only Had a Minute (2006). Her song I Will Always Miss You was included on the CD Females on Fire 1 (2005). 

            In 2007 she joined with 13 other female musicians collectively known as “Women on the Move” to record Beautiful, a CD to raise funds for Haven House in Pasadena, CA, the nation’s first women’s shelter. Out of that experience came the current incarnation of Women on the Move, a trio in which Geleris performs with Joan Enguita and Trish Lester. 

            Geleris will embark on her very first music tour in March with Enguita and Lester as they perform in the Portland, Oregon, area. 

            Geleris marvels at the turns her music has taken her. She’s recently taken up the dulcimer, a favorite instrument of her musical inspiration Joni Mitchell, along with the mandolin. “I’m astounded by all that I’m taking in – I’m in a bluegrass band for cryin out loud!” 

            And those enjoying the Wine Walk on Feb. 12 in the Glendora Village will get to enjoy the talents of this “woman on the move” in her own musical journey.
            For more information about Geleris’ performance and the Wine Walk, call Village Book Shop owner Deborah Gould at (626) 335-5720.