Meet Annemarie Picerno | Entertainer: Songwriter, Composer, Actress, & Comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annemarie Picerno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annemarie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As a Grammy member and entertainer in Nashville, I look back on many years of exploring art, music, performing, and writing. I don’t think anyone chooses life in entertainment, but it chooses them! I was a creative child, and definitely loved piano, guitar, and singing. I was shy as well, but on a stage I loved expressing myself. I was blessed to have teachers that encouraged my performing and musical talents, and they were key to me going on to major in Musical Theater in college. That was a world of intense instruction, where I learned acting, comedy, voice, dance, directing, and performed in many stage shows. It opened up a whole new world for me, and I went on to perform in numerous dinner theaters, bands, film productions, and began writing my own music. I came to Nashville 10 years ago to produce my original music, and began releasing my songs to radio. My producer, Bob McGilpin takes my ideas and arranges beautiful and unique sounds. My music mixes sounds of Country, Blues, Americana, Gospel, Rock and soulful vocals with strong vocal harmonies. Each song has lyrics that tell a story in word twists or metaphors, and I like to write songs that have humor, emotion, and tell a story. I am known for engaging an audience on stage with a powerful voice and a few surprises on stage. The freedom to express yourself, musically, and in performance on stage is within me, and I don’t try to be like any other artist. My songs range from love to seduction, peace to advocacy, fun and reflection. You have to listen to a few in my catalog to hear the varied genres and topics, but they are all uniquely presented. I recently sang on a collaboration with India producer Prem Murti and Grammy nominated Hawaiian artist Natalie Aii Kamauu on “Love and Peace” a song that celebrates the significance of kindness, understanding, and unity in the world. I was honored to contribute on this project as using our voices to reach others is so important. I also just released “What Will You Say’, a song that considers making our time on this earth matter, and letting people know now that you love them! Making it in the music business takes much time and money, and you have to be strong in this business. I stay involved in my music community and was blessed to become a member of Naras, the Grammy organization and travel to the awards and events. Each year I grow as an artist and meet more wonderful music colleagues that inspire me. It is a journey and experience that i love and I am honored to be a part of. Our voices and our music can connect us to the world and people in it, and I think what we create can impact others. This is a lifelong journey, and making music and sharing with others onstage makes me happy.
https://annemariepicerno.com/

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began in professional dinner theaters, and with all my experience in acting, singing, dancing, and writing combined those skills in live stage shows. I also performed at Disney World and Busch Gardens in comedy, then also did film and television. I performed in many bands, plus began writing my own original music for radio. Of course, an artist’s life encounters much rejection, politics, money and is a journey. As long as I remember that creating is from within myself, free to express how I choose, I keep a balance in creating and promoting without compromising my art. There have been many challenges along the way, health, money, people that don’t support you, but I don’t focus on that and control my own ship. You must overcome those things and be true to yourself and the music that you make. I have written sexy, fun songs like “Bad Girl”, “Trouble”, and “Discount Tobacco and Beer.” I’ve written serious songs like “Love Doesn’t Hurt “about domestic abuse, and “Just Be Kind” for suicide awareness. “What Will you Say” is my latest single about contemplating if life was well lived and relationships mattered. Did we have love and goodness in this world? Did we make a difference in other’s lives? I use my songwriting to evoke images, open up thoughtful discussion, and at times to just have fun. Despite the challenges in the music business, it is also wonderful to be on a stage, connect with people, and share your talents and creativity. I love to make people laugh as well and engage the audience. My music covers a wide range of experiences and emotions and there is a song for everyone as I like to write about life and experiences as well as hope.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Nashville where I live has a ton of music venues, events, restaurants and things to do as well as beautiful outdoor parks. My favorite place to hang is 2416 Music Valley dr across from the Grand Ole Opry, where many local musicians display their talents. I promote my friends at Music City Bar and Grill, The Troubadour Nashville, as well as Luna the Music City Dog, a loving pitbull that gets right up on stage with the musicians. It is our music family and home, and traditional country music is championed by the owners Rodney Collins and Jennifer Collins. This is where I always bring my friends to experience great country music. I lived 20 years in Florida before Nashville, and some of my favorite places in Miami are Ball & Chain and High Note Jazz Club at Cuba Ocho. And the restaurants on Ocean Drive with the mammoth margaritas are the best!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My entertainment journey has been long and filled with wonderful teachers, mentors and business professionals. My high school instructor Larry Wittig gave me the foundation of music theory and singing. Later, Jan Sullivan an esteemed vocal professor was a huge influence in my vocal training. As I began my radio career, Monique Grimme of Bongo Boy Records was an immense support in promotion and a good friend. My fellow musical colleagues always inspire me wih their music and successes, and so many to mention, but the independent artists that are making waves and gaining prominence over big labels are a force! They do not compromise their art, do the work, and are winning Grammy awards. Music and art must have emotion, and a message, and quality to make an impact over time. I am blessed to perform and make music, and learn from my colleagues.

Website: https://annemariepicerno.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemariepicerno

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariepicerno/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amplifiedsound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnemariePicernoOfficialMusicPage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amplifiedsound/about

Other: SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/artist/3kEgN4KdpREgbH0KIks3VP

Image Credits
Annemarie Picerno Bob McGilpin The Indie Collaborative Audrey Aguillard-Jarrell