Andrea Zonn – Vocals/Fiddle

WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST GIG?
My dad and I formed an acoustic folky band called FourthStream in my hometown of Urbana, IL when I was about 11. We used to play a couple of different venues on the U of I campus: Nature’s Table and Trino’s.

WHEN DID YOU START WORKING WITH JAMES?
The first time I sang with him, we didn’t actually meet. We sang harmony together on a song Maura O’Connell recorded, called Love Divine. Later, James came to pick me up at my hotel, and took me to his house to sing through some songs before my first gig. Ha!

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR?
My first year with James was 2003.

WHAT ONE SPECIAL ITEM DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE ON TOUR?
Aside from comfy slippers, my must-have item is a small stack of violin music for practicing, which includes works by Bach, Ysaye, Saint-Saens, and Ravel. This does not mean I actually practice, mind you, but it does mean constant reminding that I should.

WHAT’S YOUR PRE-SHOW ROUTINE?
I like to spend about an hour getting ready before a show. Kate and I share a dressing room, and we tend to be pretty low-key. We usually listen to some music and hum along, or do vocal warm-ups, or just sit quietly, getting centered as we get ready. Unless one of us says something funny. Which is often. Because we’re really funny.

WHY DO YOU ENJOY TOURING WITH JAMES?
There’s just none better. As an artist, James is unsurpassed. As a human, the same is true. The band is unparalleled as well.

_{Photos: Michael Lutch, Elissa Kline Photography}