Find Your Own Voice at the Carrboro Music Festival
By Michael Melton
The Find Your Own Voice Singers are an intergenerational group of singers and musicians who gather to enjoy the art of group song. All are welcome, regardless of talent level or musical interests.
The group took root in the early 2010s, when friends Birdie Tobias and Alicia Best began singing together in a corner of the bygone Johnny’s Gone Fishing coffeeshop. Birdie’s dad, Randy Tobias, a lifelong musician, often joined in — a bonding experience for the two, Tobias said.
Soon Patrick McDonough, Ken Kastleman, and others began adding their voices. At the time, the coffee shop was a beacon for music in Carrboro, and before long the gatherings had grown into lively sing-alongs. Some played instruments to guide the music, others joined in with just their voices.
The group became “official” when they were recognized by the Town of Carrboro and given support in practice space, such as the Town Commons (they were sometimes kicked out, lovingly, from various coffee shops for having too large or loud of a group). They now gather every week to sing and play, and anywhere from 15 to 40 people show up.
This year’s set includes 15 songs ranging from the lament ‘The Leaving of Liverpool’ to Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train.’ Each song has a leader who steps up to the mic to guide the group sing-along. The crowd is always invited to join in and gets a songbook to follow along. The collective will be sharing sing-a-long songs at the Town Hall Lawn from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday.
“It’s always fascinating”, McDonough said, “You come and you are going to play x amount of songs, and you don’t know what is going to click with somebody.”
McDonough continued by explaining how one of his favorite things about these performances is that some songs just click with audience members, maybe it was their favorite song, or a song that made them think of a loved one. That feeling of being connected through a musical moment is beautiful for everyone involved.
The group has been performing at the Carrboro Music Festival since 2018 (aside from the Covid years). One year, Patrick even dressed as a pirate in ode to a sea shanty they were set to perform. Mid-interview, Patrick, Randy, and Ken broke into the shanty — and I found myself wishing I knew the words so I could sing with them.
Practice session of Leaving of Liverpool with Find Your Own Voice Singers.