Renee Mixon

A ‘Picture’ perfect life

Rome musician Renee Mixon’s first CD is ‘If I Could Live in a Picture’ 06/15/03Email this story to a friendBy Kristin Smith Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer KSmith@RN-T.com / 290-5252 Six years ago, local musician Renee Mixon learned her first three guitar chords from a friend and she’s never looked back. “When I found music it became my passion,” Mixon said. “I always wanted to learn to play and when I do something, I put my whole self into it.” Performing live for three years now, Mixon has become a familiar face in Rome since starting out at Broad Street venues such as Ana’s By the River and The Levee. Mixon calls her opening for Michele Malone at The Rivers Edge in 1999 her first “big gig.” “That was very scary because I knew she was amazing. I was so intimidated,” Mixon said. “But the more you perform, the better. I’m still learning a lot.” Today Mixon can be found playing her original acoustic harmonies at Schroeder’s New Deli, Harvest Moon Cafe and Eddie’s Attic open mic nights in Atlanta. Mixon also has taken her music to Tennessee audiences in Chattanooga and Nashville. “I’m working toward doing this for a living,” she said. “I have goals set, but I’m not locking myself into them. I’m enjoying the ride.” Mixon began writing songs soon after she became comfortable with her guitar. “When you’re a songwriter, the music comes from your heart,” she said. “My songs tend to be very personal.” Mixon is a self-professed “people-watcher” and she includes many people who have crossed her path in her songs. She has penned countless songs, and has about 50 she performs for the public. Fifteen of those songs are included on Mixon’s first CD, “If I Could Live in a Picture,” released in May of last year. Mixon describes the experience of recording “Picture” “incredible.” “Just to know I would be able to share my songs with the world is so powerful,” she said. The CD’s songs are a collection of her life’s experiences with insights into relationships and “life in general.” Mixon’s most personal piece of work is the third song and the CD’s title track, “If I Could Live in a Picture,” written for her father who died six years ago. “When my dad was still alive, I didn’t play music,” she said. “When he died I tried really hard to write him a song. And when I finally did, it was the song that came out.” Songwriting for Mixon has been a source of constant learning. “Songwriting is a building process, just like playing,” Mixon said. “Once I began to perform my songs, I could see the crowd response.” And crowd response has been great. At her June 6 First Friday Concert perfomance at the Forum, the audience was a lively one, obviously engaged in Mixon’s singing. Loud cheers came from Mixon’s friends and co-workers who were dotted around the room. “My friends come out to all of my shows,” she said. “They are all very supportive.” It’s not hard to find her mother and sister at her performances either. “I can’t thank them enough for all they do for my music,” she said. Mixon said she hopes to find a booking agent in the near future. “Playing as often as possible is key to getting a booking agent to recognize you,” she said. “I’m working on it.” Mixon is hoping a booking agent will assist her in her hopes to play at conferences and festivals. “I’m not looking to be famous, I’m not looking for millions, just to make a living,” she said. Mixon hopes to tap into more unused markets such as teacher conferences. Mixon has called Rome her hometown her entire life. She graduated from Model High School in 1989 and continued to Berry College where she played basketball. “Basketball was my life back then and after that I was saying, ‘what now?’” she said. “That’s when I put everything into music.” Mixon received her bachelor’s degree in middle grades education and her master’s in education from Berry. After a teaching stint at Calhoun Middle School, Mixon began working for Regional Educational Services Agency in 1999, where she is employed today. She says being a musician in a small town has its advantages and its drawbacks. “It’s hard in a way because you don’t have the same draw of people that you would have in a big city, but you don’t have the competition,” Mixon said. “I just have to be creative.” As a child living in Rome, Mixon remembers her fondness of singing. “My sister and I always loved to sing,” she said. “We loved to put on performances for everyone.” Other than these childhood memories, music is a relatively new influence in Mixon’s life. “Music wasn’t a huge part of my life,” she said. But life has changed for Mixon and music is now a part of her identity. “If I Could Live in a Picture” can be purchased online at www.cdbaby.com. Mixon’s next performance is Saturday at Schroeder’s New Deli at 8 p.m. with Nikki Sutherland. - Kristin Smith

On paper, Renee' Mixon is a novice - another fledgling musician with a catalog just two albums deep, spanning a career that began only eight years ago. But a deeper look reveals an old soul; a shy little girl whose love for music was borne before a small Methodist congregation.... The same young woman who, now a self assuredd and self-actualized artist of 35, has found a way to channel life's episodes of powerlessness into the most powerful of mediums: Music that touches the soul. - Neal Howard

Renee Mixon is southern and there is a lot of note made on her website regarding her roots, but I don't hear this as "southern music". I don't know, maybe it's just me, but southern music, to me, is classic redneck rock (maybe that's just because I live in the Midwest). This is not that. At all.

The voice is light and clear, folky and sweet. The songs are nicely constructed and catchy without being too hooky.

If you like girl & guitar folk music you will like this CD. And at 15 songs it's jam packed with music!

Stand out songs: "Good Day", "The Stage" has some great harmonies. "A Decade to Soon" has an almost haunting sound. I think this is my favorite. - Amy Lotsberg

" renee mixon is a self taught guitarist and gifted song writer , who has taken the giant step from bedroom performance to recording this debut album and playing clubs in and around her home town rome , georgia and as far afield as nashville and birmingham , alabama . the female singer song writer field has become over crowded in recent years, with home produced recordings abounding . this particular release is a cut above the average due to her wonderful , clear , emotional voice and her deep felt lyrics that will touch the most obtuse listener. she intimates her loves and fantasies in a southern georgia accent as sweet as peaches and as hurried as a sunday spent in the shade .

In the deeply affecting title tune , she addresses the pain of loss , then with , where i stand , there is the promise of love ,while, who i am , is a light hearted look at an indifferent lover. her bell-like , slightly tremulous voice is the perfect vehicle for her introspective largely subdued original tunes . the clarity and warmth in her voice make for an especially inviting instrument , transforming , the stage , an endearing questioning of relationship issues into a wonderful poignant song. sensitive musical accompaniment of acoustic guitars , mandolin, harmonica and key boards are just about right for this beautiful voice and captivating lyrics ."
- Alan Cackett