By J.D. Danner
As a fan of South Florida Concert News, I was excited to win tickets to see Mary Gauthier. This brilliant singer/songwriter performed Feb. 2, 2024, at Abdo New River Room with Jaimee Harris.
Harris opened the show with a story of her month-long excursion to Florida. She did a tour from the Panhandle down and wrote a song about every city she played in Florida. She closed her part of the show with "Love Is Gonna Come Again." Their brand is "Hope After Devastation."
Harris has beautiful harmonies and plays stellar acoustic lead with plenty of soul. Harris and Gauthier are melodically magical together.
Gauthier, a seasoned troubadour known for her poignant lyrics and emotive vocals, brought her signature brand of authenticity to the stage. From the first note, Gauthier's presence commanded attention, drawing the audience into the raw and unfiltered emotions of her songs. Her guitar playing, a skill honed over years of experience, served as the perfect backdrop for her narratives of love, loss, and redemption.
Harris's songwriting prowess, evident in every lyric, coupled with her engaging stage presence, intertwines seamlessly with Gauthier's, creating a sonic tapestry that embraces the diverse themes explored throughout the performance.
Gauthier is an inspiring force who has overcome addiction. Harris, too, has dealt with addiction. Gauthier's first album Drag Queens In Limousines just celebrated its 25th anniversary. As a songwriter myself, I was inspired by her honesty about her journey in the music business as a professional songwriter. Gauthier also read from her book Saved By A Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting.
During her performance, Gauthier read a few excerpts from her book.
"Trouboudours aren't the kind of songwriters who try to write songs for hit-driven music marketplaces," Gauthier read. "We're the other kind."
In the book, she also shared a powerful quote from St. Francis of Assisi.
“If you work with your hands, you're a laborer. If you work with your hands and your mind, you're a craftsman. If you work with your hands, and your mind, and your heart, you're an artist.”
I couldn't agree more. With over two decades of experience, Gauthier still has plenty to say, and her collaboration with Harris is "Stronger Together." If you are fortunate enough to catch Gauthier and Harris in a city near you, definitely check them out!
Mary Gauthier and J.D. Danner
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