Text: STORYTELLER/MH - Photos: Andrea Young (Facebook)
Saturday, 27 June. We’re in Portugal – in Lisbon, to be precise. And not just anywhere in the city, but in Tejo Park, which lies close to the estuary where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. We’re at the Rock in Rio Lisbon Festival; it’s just after midnight. The headliner of the evening, Sir Rod Stewart, is currently on the main stage, performing his song ‘Forever Young’ for the approximately 100,000 attendees. Midway through the song, the singer strides offstage to freshen up a little – the moment when the band takes over the action on stage.
Guitarist Emerson Swinford and bassist Curt Schneider move forward to the centre of the stage. Their performance then flows seamlessly into the finest Scottish bagpipe sounds (accompanied by matching images on the screens) and an energetic tap-dancing interlude by singers Joanne Harper, Holly Brewer and Becca Kotte.
From the left, the two violinists and Julia Thornton dance onto the stage – the latter really goes for it on the drum, one bearing the Celtic FC logo. Beside her, J’anna Jacoby and Andrea Young ‘fiddle’ as if there were no tomorrow, treating the amazed fans in front of the stage to a brilliant blend of country and Irish folk, which sets the stage perfectly for Sir Rod’s subsequent vocals. He returns to the stage shortly afterwards, refreshed and in a new outfit, and continues the programme.
It’s a scene that fits perfectly into the flow of the show, but which also demonstrates just how much Stewart values his musicians and consistently gives them the space to showcase themselves and their talents to the audience. It is therefore no coincidence that musicians such as drummer David Palmer and saxophonist Jimmy Roberts are already long-standing members of the band and have spent almost their entire careers with the man characterised by his tousled hair, world-famous raspy voice and large nose.
Andrea Young hasn’t been with the band quite as long, though she is also a feast for the eyes and ears on the violin. Storyteller was able to conduct an exclusive interview with her following Tuesday’s performance in Valencia (=> CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW).
Andrea first went on tour with Rod Stewart two years ago during his European tour and was introduced to the European ‘Stewart fanbase’ at a concert in Antwerp, Belgium.
The Nashville-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist received classical training from the age of two, with a view to a future career in a symphony orchestra. However, her passion for country music in particular eventually led her to Nashville, Tennessee. There, she secured a record deal, performed with a number of renowned artists and also toured with her own projects. Together … from performances with renowned artists across various genres to successful tours with her own projects and her appointment as an official cultural ambassador for the United States. Andrea currently forms the critically acclaimed country duo The Wildcards alongside country musician Ashley Gearing.
Even though the tours with Superstar Rod won’t go on forever, Andrea – who feels right at home amongst Stewart’s fans (“They’re one big family”) – still has plenty of plans for the future. “I’d love to record some new music for the Wildcards,” she revealed in the in-depth Storyteller interview. “And fit in a few more gigs with other country artists.”
If you’d like to read or hear more about Andrea, here are a few links:
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