A classical piano student from the age of five, St. Paul-based singer-songwriter Debbie Cushman taught herself to play guitar as an adult. One awesome teacher and a couple of decades later, guitar is her primary instrument and she has written three albums of songs since 2012, all published under the Footfall band name. While Americana is a natural home for most of her repertoire, Debbie is happy to sing and make music across genres; she is equally comfortable with hymns and rock and roll. Debbie plays in a variety of settings and configurations, including as a soloist and with the bands Footfall, Granger’s Moonshine and Wayward Creek. Thanks to the good humor of her band-mates, you may also see her dabbling in harmonica and washboard.
Debbie is one of three winners of Zeitgeist's 24th annual Eric Stokes Song Contest. Named in memory of late composer Eric Stokes, the contest is designed to encourage and celebrate amateur composers throughout the Twin Cities. Debbie will join Zeitgeist to perform her winning song, Crazy Sky, at Zeitgeist's annual Playing it Close to Home concert Feb. 8-9 at Studio Z.
Debbie writes about her winning song and her work as a songwriter:
Debbie is one of three winners of Zeitgeist's 24th annual Eric Stokes Song Contest. Named in memory of late composer Eric Stokes, the contest is designed to encourage and celebrate amateur composers throughout the Twin Cities. Debbie will join Zeitgeist to perform her winning song, Crazy Sky, at Zeitgeist's annual Playing it Close to Home concert Feb. 8-9 at Studio Z.
Debbie writes about her winning song and her work as a songwriter:
I wrote Crazy Sky when a friend sent me a summer storm photo--one of those pink and orange and black Midwestern skies after the rain has moved out. Not all songs just come together, but this one wrote itself quickly. The studio additions made by violin and cello (The OK Factor) were genius... so in that sense, I guess the spirit of the piece worked to say what I was trying to get across.
I credit a lot of my songwriting to two pretty different things: time spent in various choirs over the years, and the study of foreign languages. I've had so many wonderful teachers in both arenas. I'm kind of obsessed with vowel sounds and alliteration and how it affects imagery. I would be hard-pressed to write a poem, but combining words with music makes it easier for me to paint a picture. I see every song as having the potential to be a singular piece of art, both auditory and visual.
It's incredibly humbling to be a winner in the Zeitgeist song contest. I have such gratitude for all the musicians and my family and friends who have supported me on this musical journey. What an honor. This is great inspiration to keep composing.
Playing it Close to Home
Feb. 8-9, 7:30 p.m.
Studio Z: 275 East Fourth Street, Suite 200, St. Paul
$15 / $10 students & seniors
Tickets/Info
Studio Z: 275 East Fourth Street, Suite 200, St. Paul
$15 / $10 students & seniors
Tickets/Info
With winning songs from the Eric Stokes Song Contest plus music by local composer Yohannes Tona, Zeitgeist's annual Playing it Close to Home concert celebrates the wealth of musical creativity found right here in our own backyard. The program includes music by Eric Stokes Song Contest winners Debbie Cushman, Ryan David Stevens, and Dominic Cudd, plus new works by Ethiopian bassist and composer Yohannes Tona, including pieces inspired by Ethiopian folk music and works from his albums 1317 and Sand From The Desert.
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