Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
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Cathy Fink (Born August 9, 1953) and Marcy Marxer (Born February 25, 1956) have been musical partners for more than 20 years. Over those years, they released several albums for both children and their parents, won two Grammy Awards, produced records for artists ranging from Tom Paxton to Patsy Montana, penned more than 200 songs and played thousands of concerts.
Cathy hails from Maryland, but began her musical career in Canada in the early 1970s, playing folk music in coffeehouses and the subway. A fine singer, guitarist, banjo player and yodeler, she made her recording debut in 1975 with fellow musician Duck Donald, with whom she toured for five years and recorded three albums.
Marcy grew up in Michigan. Her gift for bluegrass and old time music was obvious early, and she learned to play guitar, mandolin, hammered dulcimer and button accordion while still in high school. She went to work for General Motors but continued to play at every opportunity. In 1978, after receiving theatre training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Ringling Brothers Clown School, she devoted herself to music full time.
The two met in 1980 at the Toronto Folk Festival and the connection was instantaneous. By 1983 they had begun writing songs together and appearing on each other's albums. Soon after, they began performing together, often in children's concerts that enabled their instrumental chops, wonderful harmonies and sense of fun to shine. In 1989, they released a self-titled album, and the partnership became complete.
In the years since, the duo has released a number of notable albums, including "Nobody Else Like Me," "A Voice in the Wind" and "Changing Channels." Their CD "Postcards" won a Grammy nomination in 2003 for "Best Traditional Folk Album." After several Grammy nominations, they captured their first Grammy Award in 2004 for their children's album "Bon Appetit" and nabbed their second in 2005 as producers and artists for "cELLAbration: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins."
Individually and together, they've produced more than a dozen albums for other artists, served as studio musicians, and created a series of instructional materials and videos ranging from guitar and ukulele for kids to how to sing harmony. They've performed at the White House Easter Egg Roll, appeared on National Public Radio, won several songwriting awards and have been acknowledged for their work with children in the Congressional Record.
