Mister Felix delights audiences with signature style.
Fourteen years ago Robert Woessner called The Wake Weekly to place a classified advertisement seeking other musicians to form a band. He didn't realize the person to respond would be the one taking his call.
Former Wake Weekly employee-turned-English teacher, Catherine Johnson of Wake Forest accested Woessner's proposition to establish the band Mister Felix.
With new members since added, Mister Felix became a staple at Wake Forest events, including the opening of the Wake Forest Area Artists' Studio Tour and the Autumn Arts Festival. The group will also perform during the Lighting of Wake Forest on Dec. 5 at 6:45 p.m.
The cat's meow
After taking down Woessner's information for the ad, Johnson responded, "Well, I've written a few songs and I can sing."
She sent him a cassette tape with, according to Woessner, "the most unusual squawking I've ever heard, but such a melodic voice."
The two became a team, with Woessner as guitarist and Johnson on vocals.
But the group still needed a name.
"Catherine is the primary creative force behind the band, so what she says goes," Woessner said, laughing.
One day while petting his cat Felix on the head, Woessner said "Aww, Mr. Felix." Johnson exclaimed that would be the name of the band.
"One moment of affection for a cranky, belligerent beast turned into our band's name," Woessner quipped.
Find the words, finding the style
During shows, Mister Felix plays a majority of original pieces written by Johnson. They also cover a few songs from earlier decades.
Unable to pinpoint an exact style for the band, Johnson settled on "folky pop" with some jazz sprinkled in. Woessner describes Johnson's voice as a mix of Karen Carpenter and Alison Krauss meets Sheryl Crowe. Johnson said the sound may come from growing up listening to Olivia Newton John and Donna Summer.
For Johnson, music isn't about fittin a mold - she writes her songs based on emotions and what's going on in her life.
"I write in the car, ironing, washing dishes," Johnson said. "It isn't always personal. I can hear about news situations, other families or things I imagine."
Once she took a single word from a praise and worship song from church and turned it into a whole new composition. As she creates the words, the melody comes out along with it.
Johnson also has as signature style to notate music for Woessner to follow and expand.
"It's not musically complex," he said. "It's the words that can be taken at a literal, figurative or a spiritual level."
For a few years Johnson and Woessner performed with Gil Fountain, who played banjo, bass, acoustic guitar and helped compose songs. Otherwise, it remained a duet.
When bassist Ted Buckner joined the band three years ago, he, too, was able to help write complementary parts for pre-established songs.
Buckner, a technical writer for IBM, said music is his escape into another world and it has always played a prominent role in his life.
Drummer Tony Witherspoon added a new element to the band when he joined early this spring. Previously, the group used drum machines and recorded CDs during concerts. Witherspoon can play by ear and key off Woessner and Buckner.
A student at the School of Communication Arts at Digital Circus in north Raleigh, Witherspoon excels in creating a variety of elements and styles for each piece.
The band also covers other artists, including the Beatles, jazz standards in the '20s, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, James Taylor and Mariah Carey. Johnson is also known for bringing in pieces from unknown bands and introducing them to audiences.
A class act
Woessner and Johnson knew from the start they preferred smaller venues, such as bookstores, coffee shops and festivals. The band members prefer a family-friendly audience and environment.
All the members agree they are finished with the bar scene. All having experience in other bands, they said coming home at all hours of the night smelling of smoke no longer appeals to them.
"In by 7 and out by 10 (p.m.)," Woessner said.
Other events include entertaining during art gallery shows, business events, house parties, Christmas parades and historic homes.
"We don't want to be famous," Johnson said. "We have no desire to tour. We just want to know there is another job."
Regardless of where they are, Johnson said the best part is simply being on stage and watching people react to the music, especially younger children dancing.
Look for Mister Felix's first CD to arrive in early 2009. For more information about the band, visit www.misterfelix.net.