Local Musician Making Waves on Cape Cod

1)  How did you get started in music?  What words of wisdom can you offer youngsters just starting out?

I started performing on guitar/vocals in elementary school, and played in a folk group all during high school, and coffeehouses in college. Through the years, music has always been an important part of my life. As a parent, my daughter and I sang together as she was growing up, and I now sing to my grandson. My parents Yvonne and Tom Fazio are long time Cape Cod residents, and they are very supportive of my music.

My advice to people new or returning to playing music is: keep positive, and don't let the music business discourage you from singing your song, and focus on practicing. There are several open mikes around town, find one you like, sign up and play a 2-3 tunes to get started.

2)  Has it been challenging balancing your musical career with your career as a doctor?  How have you been able to keep your musical passion alive through the years?

I have a passion for both music and medicine, and the balance of art and science can be challenging. It was difficult to practice during medical school at UMass, and emergency medicine residency at Yale. I worked 110 hours a week at times as an intern, and the average work week was 80 hours. After I became established as an Emergency Physician at Southshore Hospital in Weymouth, I had more time to play music. I find it is a great stress reducer, and I believe that being a musician makes me a better physician. My songs "The Power of Touch" and "There are Angels" speak of the human side of medicine, beyond the pills and procedures, and is dedicated to healthcare providers everywhere. I am so lucky to have wonderful colleagues on the ER team at Southshore Hospital.

I enjoy playing benefits for health related causes, and find this bridges the medicine and music well. I have been honored to play this year at local benefits for ALS, Cape Cod Child Development, American Cancer Society relays for life, and many more. I also enjoy volunteering to play music at some of the local senior centers, hospitals and nursing homes. I'll be playing for the September 18th Last Gasp Benefit again this year, and the upcoming benefit for the Duffy Health Care Center providing healthcare for the homeless on Aug 7th. The details and dates of all these shows are on my website.

How I keep the passion alive is a great question! Last week I worked all day in a busy ER, then drove to play music all evening. That is the challenge of balancing everything. Through the years there are so many devoted fans, who appreciate the music, and that is what keeps me going. The look in there eyes when I'm playing their favorite song is worth so much! I love writing original songs, and have a new CD "Hope Floats".

3)  What's your typical performance like?

Typically my performance consists of three hours of music, with a short break after the first hour and 1/2 or so.  I have an extensive set list, but it is always changing depending on the requests of the crowd. I have a very diverse set list with popular country, Irish, reggae, blues, folk and more so there's something for everyone. My song list spans the decades, with something for all ages. I really enjoy playing for the whole family. I may do Patsy Cline for grandma and Taylor Swift for her granddaughter in the same set.

4)  In what ways has your life experiences shaped your music?

Another good question: My life experiences have shaped my music in many ways, especially my original tunes. "I'm getting Strong" is a song about overcoming sexual assault and is based on my personal experience when I was a teenage waitress. On the lighter side: "Dr Nasty" is a fun song about a character I worked with in residency, similar to the TV character House.

"At the Cape" is a romantic song about my love for my home in Barnstable, and my husband Steve. We've lived in Barnstable for over 20 years, and he is very supportive of both my musical and medical career. The Cape is an inspiring place to live. I feel very lucky to live here. My goal for my music in the future is to continue to do as much good as I can with the gift of music. I also have met many inspiring and talented artists and musicians living on the Cape, and feel grateful for this opportunity.

Check out Amber Crowley on facebook and at www.ambercrowley.net.  Crowley will be playing at the Pilgrim Sands in Plymouth, overlooking the ocean, on July 16 at 6:30pm.  She also regularly plays at on Main St., Hyannis.