12 minute read
Women Making Music
Cynthia McDermott
By Peggy Ratusz
Ive wanted to interview masterful mandolin player, accomplished singer-songwriter Cynthia McDermott since 2018 when I first met and heard her play. The time has finally come! Juggling three pre-pandemic music projects, she focuses these days on booking her trio, Pimps of Pompe. It’s a band that specializes in jazzedup covers of hip-hop and R&B. Cynthia describes it as “swing with swag.” She reflects on her bandmates saying of Garron Chesson, “he’s a groovy, well-educated upright bass player with a solid sense of time and the ability to float back and forth between hip-hop and jazz voicings.” And of guitarist Duane Simpson, “he’s a unicorn, and his style, his fills help drive that R&B vibe I’m going for.”
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Phoenixville, PA in July of 1985 and when I was four, my mom, stepdad and I took a trip down the east coast in our Toyota Tercel with a pop-up camper towed behind. We traveled to the Florida Keys and back up the Gulf coast. When we got to Panama City Beach, they decided to stay and build their new life together there. Thirty-three years later, they’re still in the house where my younger brother, Nate and I grew up!
Did someone suggest you learn to play & sing?
I was surrounded by music even before the day I was born. Mom was playing guitar for my dad in an old-time fiddle contest when she was 8 months pregnant with me, so the guitar was very close to my tiny baby self! My mom has a beautiful voice and when I was young, I would harmonize with her when I wasn’t feeling too shy. When I discovered Nickel Creek, their mandolin player Chris Thile totally blew me away. I started college that year and bought my first mandolin and started taking lessons.
People often regret that they didn't stick with an instrument they were forced to learn as children. What is it that keeps you motivated to keep at it?
This is a great question because I struggle with motivation but striving to play like the greats whose music I admire so, and makes me feel so deeply is what keeps me going. I’ve learned not to approach practicing/ playing with a critical ear, because that’s not conducive to accessing that space where great music comes from.
Who are your heroes and influences?
Jethro Burns is one of those musical heroes whose playing sets the standard for me. He had a joyful, playful, mischievous approach and beautiful sensibilities. He was one of the first mandolin players to branch out into the worlds of early jazz and swing, my favorite styles to listen to and play. He incorporated innovative chord variations and possessed great phrasing; he was also a funny prankster. I have a tattoo of him on my left bicep! I met a man who would become my partner for the next seven years. When we met, I played bluegrass and folk. Then I started listening to and began to learn Western swing. We traveled the country together, eventually venturing to Spain and France. We immersed ourselves in Bebop, Bossa Nova, Klezmer and Frank Zappa while keeping our sound rooted in vintage jazz. The most magic I’ve experienced playing music though, has happened at a long-standing national festival/fiddle contest in Weiser, Idaho. Aside from performances by the contestants, musicians come to camp and jam. It’s an environment where you convene with some of the greatest living swing guitar players. They break down their chords for you, jam with you, sing harmonies with you, tell dirty jokes and pass the bottle with you. I make sure I go every year, no matter how busy my schedule.
How many and what kind of mandolins do you have?
My F-style acoustic mandolin was built by a maker in Birmingham where my dad lives. He had it made for me as a college graduation gift; my workhorse mandolin for a decade. My A-model acoustic was made by my favorite builder, Lawrence Smart. That’s the mandolin I play now. My electric is a crazy Frankenstein, customized by the previous owner (a member of Blue Oyster Cult). He added a couple strings to it, so instead of 5 single strings, the 3 lower strings are singles and the top two, doubled. I’m excited about having another electric built for me by my friend Ben Bonham from Weiser, ID.
Who are your vocal influences?
Ella Fitzgerald is my favorite singer for her tone, range, sensitivity and her ability to scat. Billie Holiday cuts straight to your heart and a modern R&B singer I admire is the artist H.E.R, Astrud Gilberto too; for her soft, soothing style.
Original songs you are most proud of and why?
I wrote a song called “This Is How It Is.” Stylistically it’s a mix of Bossa nova and Stevie Wonder, and lyrically it’s based on what I learned from studying yoga philosophy; that life goes smoothly when I accept what is, instead of trying to fight it. That doesn’t mean don’t fight for what I want, but do it from a place of accepting conditions as they are in this moment. The song helps remind me because it conveys that message. The songs I write now are textured, layered, locking into a groove and finding variations. I incorporate personal experiences. If I’m struggling in the dating world, I will write about that! I write songs that reveal my vulnerabilities; that are relatable to people going through the same things.
Notable past or upcoming performances?
The Pimps of Pompe performed at the Django Reinhardt birthday celebration at the Grey Eagle 2 years ago. It was the first time we were on a notable stage with an audience full of avid listeners. They loved us! We play Sundays at the Battery Park Book Exchange, at The Foundry Hotel Lounge on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month and weekends at the Lobster Trap. We’ll be taking our maiden voyage on the LaZoom Bus October 1st. We will also be on the Grey Eagle patio October 27th. I’m also part of a group called GypsyGrass, led by the talented Ben Phan as well as Queen Bee (Whitney Moore) and the Honey Lovers. You can keep up with my shows by visiting:
pimpsofpompe.com mandocynmusic.com
Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter. For vocal coaching email her at
peggymarie43 @gmail.com
National Women’s Small Business Month takes place each year during the month of October. This is a time to recognize the countless achievements of our community's female entrepreneurs and the positive impact they are making on local jobs and the economy. You can support female-owned small businesses by patronizing the following locally owned and operated companies:
AcuWell Health/Natasha Kubis Asheville Cotton Company/Robin Culbertson B.E.S.T. Biltmore Executive Support Team/Linne Warne Baked Pie Company/Kirsten Fuchs & Ingrid Cole Beauty Bin Dry Bar & Day Spa/Courtney Maybin Doll Box Productions/Kristen Calloway Engel & Volkers/Trish Luzzi Guaranteed Rate/Sabrina West Harvested Dreams/Lauren Harrell LaurieRichardone.com/Laurie Richardone Metro Wines/Gina Trippi Mike's Heating & Cooling/Kim Maina Preferred Properties/Jane McNeil Realty One Group Pivot/Monica Rousseau The Spice & Tea Exchange of Asheville/Jill Long Vocal Coach/Peggy Ratusz
Kirsten Fuchs
Kirsten Fuchs learned long ago not to make dreams, but to make plans. With an entrepreneurial heart and a gift for knowing what customers would love, Kirsten created a space where locals and tourists would be reminded of home, she hired a staff that surpasses all others and her pies, oh, those homemade, delicious pies are even better than the Grand Aunts and Mothers of the past.
Baked Pie Company opened in the spring of 2017 in South Asheville, where Kirsten has lived over 23 years. She thought there were plenty of independent restaurants downtown and not enough in her own backyard. She wanted her customers to have ample parking and be able to meet at a place where they would see their neighbors.
Eight months later, Kirsten opened her second location with the help of her sister, Ingrid Cole. Ingrid moved from Atlanta to become a part of the Baked company and now manages the Woodfin location. Located in Reynolds Village, again, away from the downtown area, Baked-Woodfin has its regulars and they adore the wit and kindness of Ingrid and her team.
Closed for three months, due to the pandemic, Baked finally reopened for takeout and outdoor dining and is happy to see its customers come back to support them. Kirsten has made every effort to keep her staff and customers safe during this time and is excited to have reopened inside.
Kirsten recently opened a new café in Fletcher, called P B & Jay’s Café.
Kim Maina, CEO/Owner
Kim Maina has been a member of the Mike’s Heating & Cooling Team since 1992 and served as the office administrator along with marketing and finance duties. She took on the role of CEO in 2005 and is actively involved with the day to day activities of the company. She holds a current NC State General Contracting License, an Associate of Arts degree, and also attended University of North Carolina-Asheville. Kim is always available to assist her customers in any way possible and looks forward to hearing from you.
MikesHeatingandCooling.com
Courtney Maybin
Courtney Maybin is the owner of Beauty Bin, Asheville’s newest day spa located near Biltmore Village. Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa located on Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, Beauty Bin strives to match the outer beauty of each and every client to their inner beauty. Maybin started Beauty Bin out of her home after earning her esthetician license in 2018. In 2019, Beauty Bin’s brick and mortar location officially opened at 117 Sweeten Creek Road. The day spa currently offers waxing, facials, hydrafacials, eyelash and brow tinting, and more, with adherence to safety and health protocols. Beauty Bin’s team is specially trained to treat skin and hair types of all races. Maybin, an Asheville native and biracial entrepreneur, has always had a vision of inclusivity with the goal of offering new experiences. After the success of their summer pop-up shops, Maybin and the team look forward to hosting more events and will be announcing additional services soon. Learn more at beauty-bin.com. When she isn’t running her business, Maybin loves reading, traveling, spending time with her husband, Cameron Maybin, and their three children.
“Don’t give up and always follow your dreams.” Lauren Harrell, Owner of Harvested Dreams
Lauren Harrell
Harvested Dreams is a Woman Owned Small Business that manufactures and sells CBD enriched organic products in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Owner, Lauren Harrell was inspired by her dad to open this
company, because he needed help with pain management. From there, she learned how many close family and friends needed CBD in their lives.
Harvested Dreams mission is to help others by delivering high-quality Cannabis products at an affordable price. They also strive to educate the community about cannabis in order to spread awareness of the benefits that CBD can provide. Every product they sell – edibles, beverages, tincture, accessories plus more – has been carefully reviewed by their team for quality, taste and consistency in order to make sure we provide only the best toxin free products on the market. Harvested Dreams plans to add additional products as the industry grows. Since opening they have already started a veteran discount program and customer loyalty program to help their customers save money. They hope to start giving back to their community more and more as we grow, by offering store credit to their low income families in the near future. Harvested Dreams opened its doors in May 2021 less than 6 months after Owner, Lauren Harrell mother of three was furloughed from her 15 plus year employer. This didn’t stop her, she decided to take a leap of faith by starting her own company with what little she and her spouse had saved. Since opening her doors her
business has grown 500% in three months. harvesteddreams.com
828.577.1699
Use code for 10% off your next order: SOFIAOCT2021 One use per person, valid thur 4/1/2022
Kristen Calloway
Wedding Coordinator at Metro Wines and Co-owner of Doll Box Beauty
Kristen Calloway, makes wedding memories. As the Wedding Coordinator at Metro Wines and through her work with Doll Box Beauty, Kristen takes your senses and spirits to the limit!
“Wines,” Kristen says, “are becoming the focus of creating lasting memories at weddings.” Kristen works with couples to pair the best wines for the best price with their menu, selecting wines that almost everyone will enjoy and the perfect sparkling for that special toast!
Kristen is also the co-owner of Doll Box Beauty where she offers her services as a makeup artist. Starting her career at a department store cosmetics counter, Kristen says she instantly fell in love with the world of makeup and has been making women beautiful and confident since that day. One of her brides was recently featured in The New York Times!
Why is Kristen so successful in her work? Her clients say she listens, really listens, and works closely with you to bring your vision to life. Kristen, they say, puts her heart into it. “I live in the best of two worlds, making brides beautiful and guests joyful,” says Kristen. “Two perfect jobs!”
Kristen’s goal is to be as big a part of the wedding as the client needs, to do whatever she can to help the client tamp down the stress and set a beautiful and joyful stage for the big day.
Call Kristen at Metro Wines (828) 575-9525 dollboxproductions.com
