Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Callinan.
Molly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been told I was a ham since I was a little girl. I started my business early… I asked my neighbors for money in exchange for a song, or some gymnastics tricks in their yard. When I try that now, it doesn’t go over quite as well.
I remember seeing Madonna on stage and thinking “I want to wear a cone bra and sing”. I started auditioning for professional performing jobs right after high school. I got my start singing in theme park shows: SixFlags over Georgia, Disneyworld, and Universal Studios Osaka, Japan. Next, I traveled the world singing on cruise ships for a year. I ended up moving to Chicago to pursue theatre. Worked for a handful of local, Equity shows, as well as a national tour. I ended up getting an audition to sing with a Chicago based, all-girl cover band called Catfight. I’d never fronted a band before. I got the job! I remember thinking “I can’t believe I’m going to get paid to do this!”
I loved fronting Catfight and started auditioning for other projects. I got hired as a singer for Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band. We play at military bases for the troops, and their families. I started to get called for wedding bands, and higher profile corporate bands. I still try to do one theatre production a year. I sing in a downtown Chicago restaurant. I’m still rocking with the Catfight girls! It’s not easy, and it’s always a hustle, but I’m making a living working for myself as a professional singer.
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth? Ha. Not so much. But a smooth ride sounds boring, doesn’t it? Gotta have some ups and downs to keep things interesting. You have to be slightly crazy, and have thick-ass skin to be in this business! You get turned down constantly. There’s little to no stability. The money isn’t anything to write home about. But I seriously can’t imagine doing anything else. 🙂
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the (self) Molly Callinan story. Tell us more about the business.
I technically work for myself. I hustle. In a given week I could be singing with Catfight, Lt. Dan Band, in a wedding band, at a corporate event, at a restaurant, in a theatre production or charity event. I also teach vinyasa yoga at Corepower Yoga one day a week. I feel like staying in shape is a huge part of my business and part of the reason why I get hired for certain jobs. Taking/teaching yoga has played a huge part in keeping my body healthy.
I have to admit… I get hired for some pretty cool gigs! From a National Swingers Convention in Vegas to singing on the West Lawn for the National Memorial Day Concert to NYE at the Bellagio to singing completely naked on stage in the musical HAIR, to my absolute favorite… Market Days Festival right here in Chicago. I may not be anywhere near Madonna’s status, but dammit, I get paid to wear a cone bra and sing!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m lucky to have ended up in a city that has a great music, theatre, fashion, and fitness scene. I hope to be belting out a song in fishnets, boots, and glitter for a long time to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mollycallinan.com
- Email: hchords1@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Mollychidonuts
- Facebook: Molly Callinan
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