Lee and Susan Terry
Lee and Susan Terry formed their acoustic duo several years ago, after collaborating together since 1997. As a duo, they perform a rural, yet sophisticated mix of soulful, intelligent "front porch" acoustic music that utilizes touches of Celtic, experimental melodic rock, and Americana in a deceptively inventive way.
Together they have played a vital role in the Winston-Salem music scene. They were the core of the now-defunct, but long running N.C. band, The Skellingtons. In 2007, they started a new band, Lee Terry and The Near Strangers, and released a self titled album in 2011.
They have appeared with other bands as diverse as:
Fur Lined Volcanoes, Doug Davis and The Solid Citizens, The Sally Spring band, Vagabond Saints Society, The Chicken Hill Boys, Splice Factor and Kavish.
Lee (guitar and vocals) is a well respected songwriter, and has played in and headed up many bands, including the long running Winston-Salem band, The Skellingtons, releasing 4 albums. He recorded his acclaimed solo record "trainsleavingangels" in 2006, with invaluable assistance from Susan.
The record was named "Best Local album" by the Winston-Salem Journal, which also named Lee Terry as Winston-Salem's "Local Musician of the year" .
"...Terry has spearheaded some of the most interesting music to come out of Winston-Salem in the past 15 years".
- Ed Bumgardner, Relish/W-S Journal)
In addition to singing and playing acoustic and electric guitar, Lee also plays bass, keyboards, drums and cowbell.
Susan has been playing music since she was a child. She started in a choir, The Young Singers of Callenwolde, in1984, performing all over the US and in England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, and has appeared onstage with musicians as diverse as Robert Shaw, Yoel Levi and even Ray Charles. High school was spent in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and string quartets.
After 4 years of classical training at NCSA, she took a musical left turn and began playing with bands and songwriters. As a composer, string arranger, and producer, Susan Terry (Viola/mandolin/vocals) has been an important part of the W-S music scene for many years as well. She has recorded on more records than she can count, and formed the aptly named "Fabulous Fakestra" with cellist Rebecca Wyatt several years ago, providing string arrangements for a number of N.C. albums. Susan produced the final Skellingtons album "American Static", Lee & Susan's album "Acadia", and co-produced "Lee Terry and the Near Strangers" with Doug Davis., and continues in that role for Lee and other artists.
In addition to playing viola and mandolin, Susan also plays ukulele, toy drums and a variety of toy instruments.
Video of Lee and Susan Terry at River House (with Doug Davis):