Most musicians tend to find a niche and run with it. Occasionally, though, you encounter a musician who’s intent on spreading the musical wings just a little bit wider.
Such a musician would be Amy Hendrickson.
Despite being born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Amy considers herself a native. She’s lived in St. Augustine since the age of five. For Amy Hendrickson St. Augustine is, and has always been, home.
Amy’s probably best known around town as a guitar player and singer, but she does far more than that. Not only does she play guitar and sing, but she also plays the piano, some cello and, by her own admission, “a mean digeridoo.” She’s also taken to performing a “vintage set” with pianist Carl Emerson, concentrating on music from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. The only instrument Amy brings to this gig is her voice. The set is a perfect fit for The Treasury On The Plaza, where Amy and Carl are the Thursday night act.
Her most memorable musical moment is certainly envy-inducing. Amy has had the pleasure of opening for rock legend Leon Russell. She wasn’t content doing it once, however. She’s done it twice, both times at the Florida Theater in Jacksonville and very early in her career. “It was a very memorable experience. It was memorable both for who he is and what he’s done. And he was so nice to me.”
Amy’s played professionally for the last eight years. Music is a full time job for Hendrickson, and that often impacts time for other things. She says her biggest challenge is finding time to write (she loves writing jingles) and just staying inspired. She finds that she has to make time for these things as opposed to just letting those things happen. With the pace she keeps and the number of projects she’s involved with, this should surprise no one. Her performance schedule is, in a word, impressive. In a typical month, she’ll have over three full weeks of performances. Sometimes it will be more than that, but it will rarely be less.
Talking about the local music community, it’s clear that she’s excited to be a part of it. The level of respect she has for her fellow musicians in St. Augustine is obvious as her eyes light up when discussing it and what it means to her. “I feel like I’ve been able to grow with it. It’s so supportive; the musicians are great. We’re like a defacto bizarro family.”
When you talk to Amy Hendrickson, it’s easy to sense how consumed she is by the path she’s chosen. It’s equally easy to sense how happy she is about it.
And, thankfully, she’s all too happy to let us reap the benefits of that.
You can learn more about Amy, find her performance schedule and check out some video clips online.
*The “Musical Chair” is a variation of an original artistic concept of music photographer John Hancock of San Diego, California. He gives us his blessings.
