It’s quite likely that some swimmers at Memorial Park Pool may have heard lifeguard Emmett Norrie humming, even singing quietly while on duty this summer.
Norrie, a senior at Northfield High School, has been singing since he was 4 or 5 years old in the choir at St. John’s Lutheran Church. He joined the middle school band, has sung in school Honor Choirs, attended All-State Choir and sung in two Rock N’ Roll Revival productions.
Now, armed with a driver’s license and a person he wants to write music about, Norrie is taking his sound to the stage and headlining his first paid-ticket local gig.
All of which has been great preparation for a starring role in a concert on Saturday, Aug. 17 that celebrates Northfield’s musically talented youth.
“Emmett Norrie + Friends” begins at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Summer Gigs at The Guild series at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. 3rd St. Tickets are $16 for students and seniors and $20 for adults.
Norrie, who also plays guitar, will be joined in vocals by junior Krya Reverman. The band members are: Ethan Arndt on sax; Sam Boardman on trombone; Jack Pribyl on drums; Liam Ailabouni on keyboard; MacKenzie Perkins on bass; Jaden Hietala on trumpet.
Norrie said he gravitates toward 1970s and 80s pop music, “because that’s what was playing in the car” when he was growing up. Songs by artists like Jackson Brown, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Dire Straits, Bob Seger, The Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival are on a loop through his memory channels.
“I was very nerdy growing up,” he said, flashing an impish grin and raking a hand through his hair. “Those songs about girls, cars, music and jobs grabbed my attention and spoke directly to my soul.”
As a way to gain popularity with his peers, Norrie said he would test out new songs on his friends, and gradually, his identity as a musician allowed him to gain confidence, along with acceptance, belonging and accomplishment.
“I landed hard on music,” he said.
Now he’s working on his first album of original songs and will be recording the tracks at Craig Wasner’s recording studio. The playlist at the Guild will include covers like Amy Winehouse “Valerie,” Sweet Home Chicago and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.”
As for thinking about his senior year, Norrie said leaning into his favorite subject of math, working as a sound engineer at Castle Rock, finishing his first album and making a decision about college all loom large on his to-do list.
Lifting up the next set of musicians
Pauline Jennings, performing arts manager at the Guild Theater, said she can’t recall how she was introduced to Emmett, but the first time she heard him play was at our house when we recorded a couple of cover tunes to play during a KYMN “Musician Talk” episode he was on last year.
“I was blown away with his abilities, tone and composure,” said Jennings. “One of the indications, in my opinion, of a great or on-their-road-to-being-great musician is the ease with which they play. And Emmett is extremely comfortable behind his guitar and in front of a mic. Not only that, he’s got flair, humor, a great attitude, and an infectious glint in his eyes. Can’t ask for much more than that from a performer.”
Jennings said that when she decided to have a high school group play for the Summer Gigs at the Guild Series, Norrie was her first call. When asked to put together a group for the Summer Gigs at the Guild Series, he was immediately onboard.
Asked about showcasing local young musicians, Jennings explained that is an integral and favorite part of her job “to lift up the aspiring but still inexperienced and to encourage kids and young adults to embrace and continue their artistic journey,” she said. “Rachel Haider did this when she had my job by creating Purple Door Youth Theater and Patsy Dew, among others, did this before Rachel by starting the Young People’s Theater Workshops.”
Jennings said her aim is to further this important Guild goal with young musicians. “I’ve started to do so with the young musician openers for the 411 Concert Series and now this summer with one of the featured groups of the Summer Gigs at the Guild Series being composed of gifted teen musicians,” she said.
Vocalist Kyra Reverman said those attending Saturday’s concert will certainly “go home singing all the songs.”
More Information Emmett Norrie + Friends will perform in the Summer Gig series at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater on Saturday, Aug. 17. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for students and seniors and $20 for adults. Call the box office at 507/645-8877 or go online at northfieldartsguild.org 0a6cf64c-5fa5-4486-99e1-2e3cb42317f0
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