Musings About Music

Over gratin and sweet tea, local musician Diane Durrett mused about her life as a musician; her journey to becoming a producer and successful songwriter; and her experiences working alongside local and big-name artists alike.

Tucker is lucky enough to have a few music hubs, and readers may recall previous coverage of the Shorty's Pizza concert series. , and are just a few of the musical acts Patch has spotlighted. We're adding Durrett to the list, and her eclectic, soulful performance was no let down. Some solo and others collaborations, Durrett's songs were stirring and poetic, while upbeat; however, her style is signature, and strains of Americana, pop and soul blend with balance.

“My mother was a choir director,” Durrett detailed; “I began doing ensembles when I was five years old. Solos came in high schoo, l then came bands and college,” she said. It's a wonder that during her formative years Durrett never really considered being a musician professionally until college when her mother told her with conviction, “You need to take this seriously.” So she did. Durrett began playing in public and building a name for herself while attending Mercer and Georgia State University.

Being submerged in music studios for many years didn't hinder her creative development. In fact, it likely was a catalyst -- as well as a profound learning experience -- for where she finds herself today, working as a producer and vocal instructor for her own label, Blooming Tunes Music. She continues to refine her own sound.

Durrett and Blooming Tunes released their first album on April 23rd 2010. It's a country/ pop CD by sixteen-year-old Julie Thames, and from the press release, we learn more about the budding artist, as well as Durrett's musical background.

“She began producing music in the early 1990's at Triclops Sound Studios, one the south's premier recording facilities. Their roster of clients included The Smashing Pumpkins, Courtney Love, Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones), Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers) as well as Atlanta's own Indigo Girls and Drivin' N Cryin'.

Later, Durrett signed as artist/producer with independent label Glass House Records and was also successful writing and producing music for corporate clients with co-writer Jayne Olderman. In the late 1990's, she worked with songwriters at Polygram Publishing in Nashville, Tenn., all the while producing, writing and recording her own music.” An impressive fact about Durrett is that while she began locally – and is still very involved and in love with the native music scene – she's possessed the combination of talent, tenacity and luck it takes to work with big name musicians. “Sting put his hands on my shoulders and said from behind me, to a friend in front of me, 'She's good, she's damn good,' ” Durrett recalls with pride. “It was humbling,” she noted. She’s sung with the Indigo Girls, Gregg Allman and Chuck Leavell. She's opened shows for Tina Turner, Faith Hill, Little Feat and Derek Trucks. She's provided music for advertising, television and film; she was selected by producer “Brendan O’Brien to record supporting vocals on Faith Hill’s upcoming single (in 2011),” notes Durrett's website. And while these experiences have surely enriched the artist – “I've spent my whole life doing this, and I've never received such a complement from someone of that caliber,” Durrett said of Sting – she is still extremely active and present in Georgia's, and Tucker's, music community.

While working to establish her production company, recording her new album (and possibly some Christmas tunes if time allows), Durrett still graces stages throughout the Southeast with her talents.

She says of the local music scene: “For the most part, there isn’t a sense of competition within our music family; we're not trying to outdo each other. We all want the same success – for ourselves and for each other – and we collaborate a lot trying to achieve it.”

Become a part of this incomparable, creative community by heading to Shorty's this month, or by catching Durrett around town at Matilda's Cottage, Eddie's Attic and Atlanta's Dogwood Festival.