We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Grimes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, can you talk to us about the impact the Covid-19 Crisis has had on your business.
The current pandemic has drastically altered my business as a Performing Artist. Some of my main performing jobs have come to a complete halt. This is a massive adjustment, economically of course, but also psychologically. Putting my music out for the public is not just my livelihood, but it’s one of my greatest pleasures. I am the owner of a small business, More Than A Song. We provide live Arts & Entertainment to Aging Communities. Our mission is centered around the idea that aging residents in a long-term care community, no longer have the ability or independence to go out and enjoy a live music performance and it is OUR job as care-givers, to bring this life enriching benefit to THEM. However, we are now faced with the fact that we are unable to do this at all for the foreseeable future. This was something that never crossed my mind as a possibility until the Covid-19 crisis. When I put myself in the shoes of aging residents, I imagine what it must be like to remain in a room, where meals are brought to me because there can be no group gatherings in the cafeteria. Or where my knowledge of technology limits me to watching what’s on TV or playing a DVD. FaceTime is unlikely and social interaction in sparing. And now we are unable even to give them a musical performance. It’s difficult. However, we are working with many Aging Communities to come up with a solution, whether it be a hallway serenade or a zoom performance, room to room. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention and we are putting our creative brains to work in order to offer something to the Aging population of Atlanta, who we deeply care for!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started piano lessons at a very young age and I grew up with it. Just like I don’t remember learning how to read, I don’t remember learning music. It’s always been a part of my life. Even while pursuing other career goals early on, I always found myself returning to music. One of the main obstacles that kept me from choosing music full-time, however, was intense stage fright. It kept me from doing well in auditions and competitions and I started to think I could never overcome it. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s, that I developed the idea for More Than A Song, bringing live Arts & Entertainment to Aging Communities. I then completed my MBA so I could set up the company. At that point, I began to think of my music as a message that must be sent for a purpose higher than my own ego. That mentality kept me from getting lost in my head, and instead, concentrate on what was important….bringing music to people. It’s a simple concept, but it never clicked before. Since then, I have had very little anxiety performing. My auditioning has improved leaps and bounds and I now have the confidence in myself and in my abilities that I only dreamt about before! Many opportunities have opened up and I am creating and performing music for not just the Aging Communities in Atlanta, but for the public at Hartsfield-Jackson, MARTA ArtboundLIVE, and numerous other venues and projects. It’s a great place to finally get to after so many years of struggle with myself!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I loooove taking visiting friends and family down Buford Highway! We stop and get an appetizer here and there and then go into a Korean bakery, like White Windmill, for dessert. I’m very proud of Atlanta’s diversity and all the businesses that immigrants have given to this economy. It’s fantastic to experience other countries’ authentic food cultures without ever having to get on an airplane! I also enjoy spending an afternoon downtown. The SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel is a great way to show off the city if you only have a limited amount of time. And then Centennial Olympic park is right there! Another must, is Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park on Auburn Avenue. My husband is actually a Park Ranger there so I have gotten to know the Park and all the history surrounding Dr. King’s life that comes with it. It’s fascinating and free!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have the best Grandmothers on the planet. I’m not sure how I was lucky enough to be the granddaughter of Shirley Daugherty (my paternal Grandma) and the granddaughter of Mary Valencia (my maternal Grandma), but my relationship with them has truly shaped my connection with music and community. They both love music and I saw first hand the magical effect that live music has on people. Since then, music has been a way for me to contribute, and I’m lucky enough to earn a living from it as well.

Website: www.morethanasong.us
Instagram: @morethanasongga
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabethgrimesmusic
Youtube: www.youtube.com/bethsmusicvideos
Other: www.facebook.com/morethanasongllc www.facebook.com/quilltheduo