Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
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Cathy Fink (b. August 9, 1953) and Marcy Marxer (b. February 25, 1956) have been musical partners for more than 20 years. Over those years, they released several albums for both children and adults, won two Grammy Awards, produced records for artists ranging from Tom Paxton to Patsy Montana, wrote more than 200 songs and toured extensively.
Fink was born in Maryland, but began her musical career in Canada in the early 1970s, busking and playing folk music in coffeehouses. A singer, guitarist, banjo player and yodeler, she made her recording debut in 1975 with Duck Donald, with whom she toured for five years and recorded three albums.
Marxer grew up in Swartz Creek, Michigan and 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 theater 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. 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. In 1989, they released a self-titled album, and the partnership became complete.
In the years since, the duo has released a number of 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 won 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.
