She is a local singer songwriter with quite an impressive resume, and voice. This recent graduate from the Berklee College of Music has received numerous awards such as the top prize in the 2010 Acoustic Music Awards.
We recently caught up with her during a special recording session at Brittingham's, in Lafayette Hill. She thrilled the packed crowd with her charming sounds, and stage presence.
Please enjoy her biography.
During the past year, Liz Longley has received the kinds of accolades and awards that recognize her as one of the finest new talents writing songs today. In 2010, Liz took the Overall Grand Prize, amongst 9,000 entries, in the International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA). Last summer she garnered three of the top honors on the acoustic music scene: 2009 Co-Winner of the Mountain Stage New Song Contest, finalist in the 2009 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition, and Grand Prize Winner of the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival's Songwriter Showcase.
Liz's open approach to songwriting across several genres is not only why her music defies classification, it is also why music lovers seem so taken with her performances---they get to enjoy a little Country, some Acoustic Pop, the Blues, and even some Jazz. Graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2010, Liz has received Berklee's highest honor for songwriting, the Scott Benson Scholarship. Her songs have faired well in Berklee's annual songwriting competitions: "Rush" was chosen as the No. 1 song in 2009, and "Whatever Goes Up" the No. 2 song the year before. An engaging performer, Liz was the student Berklee College of Music selected to represent the school at the 2009 Kennedy Center Conservatory Project in Washington, DC.
Liz has been hailed by singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor as "a world-class singer… one of the best I've ever heard". 'The Telegraph' of New Hampshire says, "Longley's songs swell with honesty and genuine emotion that most of us are unable to admit to but recognize all the same." Pop icon John Mayer broke into an impromptu rendition of Liz's song 'Queen' during a visit to Berklee and has described her music as "gorgeous." The Washington Post agrees and adds, "This voice won't stay small long… singer-songwriter Liz Longley seems destined for a bigger audience." In addition to regularly sharing the stage with Livingston Taylor, Liz has opened for acclaimed artists such as Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, Colin Hay, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Colin Young, and Jonathan Edwards.
I grew up listening to Joni Mitchell and Karla Bonoff. My dad would drive me around in our pea green Volkswagen buggy (which I called the wee-wee car) with the top rolled down and the music turned up so Joni Mitchell's 'Circle Game' was heard above the hum of the engine.
In high school, I was a marching band nerd. I played clarinet and in my senior year, I was a drum major. Marching band is where I met Sarah Zimmermann, the guitar goddess. We've been playing together for 5 years now. We're musical soul mates. :)
I've been blessed with amazing, devoted fans who come to shows with car loads of friends and family. I love you guys.
I think it's good to donate blood. Try it sometime.
My personal favorite response to my music:
"You're pretty deep for a blonde!"
You are now Tuned In to Liz Longley!
On the web-
www.lizlongley.com
www.myspace.com/lizlongley
