The first time I listened to Nutley recording artist Terry McCarthy’s song “Missing You Sincerely” I knew it was a love song. But upon closer attention, I discovered though it was a song of love and loss, it was not about a romance gone cold but instead, about a younger brother’s love and memories of his own older brother, who had passed away and was deeply missed.
McCarthy is the real deal. His voice, lyrics and melody are polished yet earthy; poetic yet straightforward and thoroughly addictive.
“I have been playing my entire life,” he said, as we sat over a cup of coffee at the Chestnut Cafe recently. “But I also have a wonderful supportive wife and two great girls - both who attended Nutley public schools - so I also worked too. But music is my main focus.”
McCarthy studied theatre at SUNY Purchase, and was floored one day when he realized his life-long passion.
“Mott the Hoople meant more to me than Moliere,” he said, smiling. “Now, I am trying to transition into music full-time.”
His song, “Missing you Sincerely”, is about his brother, and the way simple memories transform into a much larger scale, especially when someone you love dies too young and leaves you with the feeling that somehow, if you keep looking in that rear view mirror when you’re driving, he just might be behind you. This heartfelt song, infused with humor, is bittersweet and also uplifting.
Remembering his brother’s jokes - and one that he had told about a million times - the singer reflects he would give anything to hear that same old joke just one more time.
McCarthy, who said he really believes the adage “follow your bliss” offered by author Joseph Campbell, said living in Nutley has been wonderful for his music business.
“This town has some pretty wonderful artists, and especially at the high school we have a genius, really, in the musical field there, Michael Cundari (Coordinator of Music, Director of Academy of Fine & Performing Arts, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir),” he noted. “Both of our daughters are creative as well, with our older one now becoming a producer and our younger girl has a for talent for writing.”
McCarthy said the music business doesn’t get him down, since he is going to keep wriitng and recording his music, playing at local and regional spots. One benefit that is near and dear to him is the recent one he performed in after Hurricane Sandy.
“I grew up there in Breezy Point, which was hit so hard by the Hurricane,” said McCarthy. “We went back and did a concert. It was just great. It meant a lot to me.”
Now, this busy musician is back in the studio, about to lay down tracks for his next CD.
And, as he sees it, life as an artist has many more benefits than drawbacks.
“You love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art,” he said, laughing.
To this writer, truer words were never said.
You can preview his music by visiting the folllowing site. Listen to his music, and for some visual fun, check out his YouTube videos as well, by searching with his name, and enjoy the clever, almost surreal videos that marry his music well. Especially fun to watch is the Attack of the Monsters video, where McCarthy’s song is played against a backdrop of vintage Japanese Science-fiction films.
For music, go to Itunes and enter “Terry McCarthy”, which will bring you to his cds.
Terry’s next cd is almost done - and a notice about the launch of his newest project will be printed here soon.
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TerryMcCarthy
http://www.youtube.com/seatissaved
https://soundcloud.com/terrymccarthy
