MUSICIANS JANEY KATZ - Zia Publishing

Photo courtesy Wendy BeserraCOLBYBeserraCOMPOSER MUSICIANPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESYCOLBY BESERRAWhen did youfirst becomeinterested inyour field? –When I waseight I joinedthe Silver CityChildren’sChoir directedby Mr. Sass.Many performers and artists never receivewidespread recognition. Did that botheryou, starting out? – You spend your 20’sgetting over vague notions of fame andfortune. I’m happy making good art andfeel fortunate to earn a living at it.Were there obstacles to overcome inreaching your current level of achievement?– I took a pay cut and gave up jobsecurity to pursue music. My wife and Italked it over a lot.Why did you choose Chicago instead ofNew York or LA? – Chicago is a goodplace to be a working artist. It’s a bluecollartown. Everybody works –including musicians!Who have been sources of encouragement?–My grandparents and my mom,Wendy Beserra.Is there someone in your field who youparticularly admire? – James Taylor, Stingand Stevie Wonder.What are some changes you’ve noticed inyour field since starting out? – Theindustry has turned upside down.Traditional ways of making records andgetting airplay have changed forever.What do you hope to accomplish in thefuture? – I want to start my own band inthe special events industry and usethat as a platform to perform anddistribute original music. My goal is tocontinue to write.What do you like most about what you do?– Singing and making people happyfeels like what I was put on earth to do.Do you ever get discouraged? What do youdo about it? – Sure, I get discouraged. Ilock myself in a room with my guitarand force myself to write a new song.How long do you plan to continue yourcareer? – As long as I possibly can. I’lltake a cue from Mick Jagger. You’reonly too old if you feel too old.Has it been worth the dedication and hardwork so far? – Absolutely.If you could do life over again, what wouldyou do differently? – I’d learn to speakSpanish and I’d have studied financemore carefully when I was younger.Are there any words of experience you’dlike to pass along to young people whomight dream of doing what you are doing? –Stick with those music lessons andabsorb as much as you can. That wayyou’ll have the skills to make your ownchoices later on.Silver City native Colby Beserra’s publicity photomight appropriately appear in a dictionary beside theword “versatility.” At 33, this singer, songwriter, guitarist, teacher, actor, directorand bandleader has already enjoyed an extensive career, but it seems that he isjust getting started.Following his graduation from NorthwesternUniversity in 1996, Colby spent a year teachingfifth grade before accepting the position ofManaging Director at the Vittum Theater, a stateof-the-artcommunity theater at the NorthwesternSettlement House in Chicago, Illinois. During hisfour-year tenure at the Vittum he was hired as afeatured vocalist for the Ken Arlen Orchestra,a Chicago-based musical powerhouse withwhom he performs over 100 gigs a year.He subsequently became a CreativeConsultant for Arlen Music, as well as abandleader and performer with thebands Soul Motion and the AMCRhythm & Blues Revue. During this timehe has shared the stage with such notedperformers as the Pointer Sisters, PattiLaBelle and Richard Marx.In 2002, Colby began writing the songsfor his self-titled debut solo album.Released in 2005, it features melodic guitarlines and intelligent lyrics sung in a bright,clear voice over tight bass and drumtracks.Colby is named for his grandfather, BillColby. Bill operated Colby’s, Inc., asporting goods store, for 53 years at thenortheast corner of Bullard and MarketStreets in downtown Silver City.Although he pursues his career in adecidedly urban environment, Colby’sroots remain firmly planted in NewMexico, and he credits our sweepingsunsets and long desert roads withhelping him create the “highlonesome” sound heard on several ofhis original recordings.34 – SILVER CITY LIFE