About
AS A SINGER, Amy Rushing has performed with nearly every jazz and blues musician in Atlanta. Her main vocal influences include Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, Annie Lennox, and Ernestine Anderson. These influences are profoundly obvious when you hear her sing, and boldly evident in her lower register. “I prefer to sing lower register. It is much more haunting. It reaches the audience on a deeper level. They begin to really listen to the lyrics.”
Her repertoire, by choice, boasts more obscure songs than standards and popular sing along songs. There are personal reasons behind this choice. “I sang standards and pop for years. But once I delved deeper into other genres there were so many songs and artists that simply did not have such profound success. Maybe they were not commercially successful, but they’re songs are just as powerful. It was those artists that solidified my love for performing.” Amy’s song list reflects a wide range of artists and genres. The list grows daily.
Not only is she an outstanding vocal artist, but she is also a lifelong veteran in the broadcast production industry. Amy is currently a producer/director for television, but says she is ready to focus on the music. Her goal is to honor the forgotten legends. Her first goal, to do a tribute album with a generous portion of proceeds going to the National Jazz Foundation.
Amy Rushing is quickly becoming a major force in the Atlanta music scene.
AS A VOICE TALENT, that came naturally. One of five children, she and her siblings were on stage before they could walk. “We are all just big personalities. It was very competitive growing up. Who could outshine who. And not in a bad way. We just love to make people laugh. We are natural entertainers. “
The character voices begin at a young age as well. From creating voices for childhood toys to mimicking celebrities and cartoons, it continued, eventually transitioning to her singing. “I am an analytical person anyway. Studying the characteristics of a voice and recreating it is a fun challenge. When you nail it, it quite a thrill. ”
AS AN ON-CAMERA TALENT, that came from 30 years in the production industry. Amy owns her own production company in Atlanta, producing, directing, and coordinating for corporate, commercial and event broadcast. “For years I disliked myself on camera, I think most of us do. But over the years it became as if the camera wasn’t even there. That ability to talk to a camera as if it’s a person…that was hard. But eventually, I settled in. It becomes an audience of one. At that point, you can let your hair down and just be you. That is the really enjoyable part of it.”
Amy resides in Atlanta where she continues to operate her company, CrewAtlanta.