andirae

Andi Rae Healy is a singer/songwriter living in NYC.

"And where this Carnival will lead, I don't know - but I still want to go..."

Growing up an air force brat, singer/songwriter Andi Rae Healy found herself traveling all over the world before settling in New York City and she has covered many genres before settling into her version of bluesy alt-country, which you will hear on the brand new LP, I GUESS I AM A SINNER, produced by Sammy Merendino and featuring an appearance by Cyndi Lauper.

The second CD for Andi Rae, it explores the country side of Andi's music, resulting in an alt-county/americana LP with a song to fit every mood. Whether you are feeling the need to wander, bemoaning a love gone wrong, or deciding to stand up for yourself, I Guess I Am a Sinner has something for you to sing along with.

Andi Rae fell in love with singing in front of a crowd while dabbling in classical, jazz and musical theater. When she first moved to New York, she went to some auditions, some callbacks for Rent, and became the new front person for the high-energy, pop rock band, Dolores Slim. But it was alone her room with her acoustic guitar that Andi finally discovered what she really wanted to be doing: writing and performing her own songs.

Andi Rae and her guitar started frequenting the intimate acoustic settings of places like CBGBs Gallery, Rockwood Music Hall and the Sidewalk Cafe. Seasoned from years on the stage, her honest and intoxicating performance led to invitations to do showcases in the West Village (Songwriters for Songwriters and Friends) and Boston (CNC Music Productions). During this time she aroused the interest of hip-hop mixers and producers Rich Keller and Adam Gazzola (who could be found working on projects for Sean (Puffy) Combs, 3rd Bass and Jay Z, among others) and spent time writing and recording at Sony Studios. Last year, she completed her first full length acoustic CD, something she'd been wanting to do for a long time. But almost as soon as that was finished, the search was back on for the right producer to compliment her sound.

The right producer was found in Sammy Merendino. An extremely in-demand session drummer, Sammy is also currently part of Cyndi Lauper's recording and touring band. He has produced or played with a diverse group of artists including Chubby Checker,Cameo, Pat Metheny, Ziggy Marley, Sophie B. Hawkins, Anita Baker, Joan Osborne, Goat,Darden Smith, and Shawn Colvin. Sammy brought in many other member of Cyndi's band (William Wittman, Allison Cornell, Steve Gaboury, and of course himself on drums) and other wonderful musicians such as Jeff Golub, Knox Chandler and Conrad Korsch (currently touring with Rod Stewart) to play on the CD. His direction combined with their remarkable skills results in a sometimes gorgeous, sometimes gritty, always lush accompaniment to Andi's songs. And Cyndi herself came to lend a hand, providing her amazing voice and dulcimer skills to the old-mountain music style song 'Had to Go'. Jill Sobule and Darden Smith can also be heard lending their vocal abilities on 'I'm the Devil' and 'Return to Me'.

Since completing the CD, Andi Rae has taken to the road again on a South Eastern tour, playing in places such as Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta, GA and 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville and has been favorably reviewed on indie-music.com, Buddyhollywood.com and been featured in the Daily Times in Knoxville, TN. She has had successful shows at hot New York venues such as Pianos and Rockwood Music Hall and has been invited to play with the increasingly popular music community, Local Correspondents, at the Dewey Beach Americana Music Fest, with the NYC Opry and has competed in the Williamsburg Live Songwriting Competition.

Andi Rae is often asked how such a big voice comes out of such a little girl. Katie Agresta, her voice teacher and (coincidentally Ms. Lauper's teacher as well), has been helpful in that department. Katie is also the teacher to the likes of Jon Bon Jovi and Annie Lenox . But also, Andi says, "Just because I'm small doesn't mean I don't have a lot to say, and a lot of passion to say it with." Take a listen to one of her newest songs, 'Ooh Ah', and you will know this is true.

You can find 'Ooh Ah', a mixture of other gut-wrenching and inspiring songs, and Andi's powerful, sultry voice on I GUESS I AM A SINNER. No matter what you are looking for, Andi Rae is sure to satisfy.