Peggy Mann is a singer-songwriter at the heart of Colorado’s music culture.
She’s an accomplished musician with a flair for capturing an audience with down-tempo country-rock wrapped around personal narratives. Playing “Americana” even before that term became vogue, Mann’s milestones include recording with Eric Clapton’s drummer, Steve Gadd, and penning a campaign song for one of Gary Hart’s successful U.S. Senate campaigns.
The Chicago native named her new album “Connections” because universal human drama compels her songwriting and performances. We caught up to Mann – a frequent face around Grand County during the summer months – to talk about her expansive career.
Q: You have great pitch. We hear you also write a great pitch.
A: Yeah, a lot of people know my voice from an American Furniture Warehouse commercial. It was a 60-second spot that ran for 13 years. It’s kind of become a running joke because people still come up to me and say, ‘Aren’t you the woman from American Furniture Warehouse?’ If I would have known that it was going to run so long I might have structured (the song) differently, but I was younger then. I’ve done commercials forever now. I couldn’t even tell you how many.
Q: You were once on the Chicago supper club circuit. Were you ever inspired to write about food?
A: The song would have be something like “I never met a food I didn’t like.” Food brings me a lot of joy. (Eating) is an emotional experience for me. One of my favorite things to do is go out and eat and socialize with my friends. My hangout is a place called Armando’s. It’s a great Italian restaurant in Aurora close to my house. Armando (Sarlo) is from Italy. He’s a warm, loving, fun character. I could write a song about Armando, actually.
Q: What’s the worst-case scenario for a singer (like you) who has performed the national anthem at Coors Field?
A: Forgetting the words. It’s a nerve-racking song in the first place because it’s not easy to sing. If you don’t start on the right note, you’ll end up in the key of Q, and there is no key of Q! It was a nerve-racking experience but it was cool because you can look up and see yourself on the Jumbotron. But I never really liked seeing myself on anything that makes me look that big. Women will understand that.
Peggy Mann’s new CD, “Connections,” is available through online retailers and her website, peggymann.com. Mann plays the Gateway Hotel in Grand Lake at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Staff writer Elana Ashanti Jefferson can be reached at 303-820-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com.
