FEMALE VOICE JOINS MILLER ORCHESTRA Despite the strong country and western influences of the Nashville Music scene of Julia Rich's hometown, her heart and voice have remained loyal to the big band sounds of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. "I never sang country. I appreciate it. You have to sing or play the music in your heart," Rich says from the music festival in Glenn Miller's birthplace in Clarinda, Iowa. "The first time I heard Tony Bennett, I thought, that's what I want to do," she says. Her interest in that vocal-rich style of music began with Judy Garland, Rich says. Among her favorite singers are Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and the Beatles. "It fascinates me and thrills me and that's why I sing it because I love it. I've been with the band a long time," Rich says. Rich has probably performed longer with the Glenn Miller Orchestra than any vocalist in the orchestra's long history. She became the feature female vocalist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1985 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Typically the "girl singer" role in the Glenn Miller Orchestra can be limited, but many of the standards have been re-written specifically for Rich. When time allows, Rich pursues her own musical interest and she has completed two recordings separate from the Orchestra, "I'll Take Romance" and "The Way You Make Me Feel." Rich also enjoys performing with various jazz ensembles "I'm getting to be creative. If all you could do is fit into a slot, you'd be miserable. If you're a musician, hopefully you're a little creative."
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Julia
received a Bachelor of Music degree from Middle Tennessee State University
where she studied with Margaret and Neil Wright. After graduation,
she taught music and geography at East Lake Junior High School in
Chattanooga, TN and has directed church choirs and given private
instruction in piano and voice.
sistant Road Manager from 1987 - 1992 and the band's road
manager
through 2000. To view Julia's personal website click here