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Annette Corrine Summersett was raised in the rural town of L’Anse located in the Northern part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She grew up singing all the time. Luckily her parents were supportive of her second language of vocal expression because they certainly got an earful. Opportunities for singing performance were few and far between in her small town, but Annette was able to build a foundation through the likes of Church choir, National anthems, and of course, classic rock radio.
It wasn’t until college at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI that Annette figured out that she had something to say and she had the talent to express it musically. She picked up the guitar in 1999 and her song writing took off.
She performed her early music to small crowds at coffee houses and open mic nights. The subject matter of her lyrics progressed from basic emotional release to human condition issues, politics, and more intricate storytelling,. As her vocal style and live performance experience grew, it became apparent that people were moved by her music. Her calling was obvious. Annette relocated to Los Angeles after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. With no intentions of utilizing her degree she set out instead to pursue a career in music.
Early on in her L.A. experience, Annette's music-making repertoire acquired a surprising extension. By chance she became involved with Genius Products best known for their popular children’s entertainment line Baby Genius. She was hired as a songwriter for the company, composing and vocally performing children’s music. She currently has seventeen songs nationally published and distributed through the company.
Annette’s contemporary music however, was still very much her focus. Inspired by rockers like Neil Young, Led Zeppelin and Tom Petty, and moved by songstresses like Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow, Annette continued to hone her own unique style. Her voice took on nuances of the blues with a folk song sensibility and the deep growl of a rocker. She picked up the piano and harmonica to add some variety to her compositions.
2004 was an eventful year for Annette. She lost an important musical mentor, her uncle Doug (also a singer-songwriter), to cancer. His free-spirited legacy is now a part of Annette’s song writing inspiration, as is evident in her incorporation of folk-style harmonica and her independent worldview. This was also the year Annette hit the studio. She recorded a three song EP with award winning session musician and producer Marty Rifkin whose body of work includes sessions with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam and Jewel.
Many who have seen her have been pleasantly surprised by the vocal explosion that comes out of such a seemingly fragile, small-framed woman. However, this is the appeal of Annette Summersett. She is full of eclectic surprises, unique in her own right, with the perfect balance of vulnerability and confidence that gives her an attainable femininity. There is a power behind her voice that sets her apart, and a deeper lyrical journey that makes her relevant to the times we live in.
Annette currently performs her music in venues throughout L.A. She continues to expand her catalog of music with the aspiration of a full album to be produced and distributed in the near future.
-bio by Craig White
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