The vocal gymnastics Amy Lynn Zanetto can pull off in a mini-dress and stilettos would have Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, and Mariah Carey on their feet by curtain call. As each of these women has done before her, Amy Lynn brings her own unique flair to the diva tradition, adding a quirky, down-to-earth humor to her frontwoman role that lands Amy Lynn and Gunshow in a league of their own.
Amy Lynn and the Gunshow have just released an amazing self-titled EP to rave reviews. Heather Wysocki from Chicks with Guns Magazine writes, “ Entirely eschewing modern influences in favor of honoring the Motown and gospel greats that came before here, Amy Lynn Zanetto and her nine-piece and sometimes-more band create music for another era, but do it with panache and expertise." Highlights include: “Missing You" which feature Amy's powerhouse vocals and the soulful horns from the Gunshow, “Comfort Me"- a cover of Carla Thomas' Stax hit, and the dancefloor stomping of “You Bring Me Joy." “Missing You" was recently played on Big Easy Brides, a reality TV show on the WeTV network
in Meriden, Connecticut to Cuban and Italian-American parents, Amy Lynn was suckled on the stimulating sounds of Chicago, Gloria Estefan, and Motown. Singing soon became her consuming passion, approached only by her love for sports. An all-state setter in high school, Amy Lynn would cut her chops by screaming Whitney Houston numbers for the entire neighborhood's benefit while hurling her volleyball against her bedroom wall. She pursued musical theater with the same tenacious gusto, earning her BFA from the Hartt School of Music, and thereafter demonstrated her versatility in a variety of roles, from Mrs. Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular to Janis Joplin at the Kennedy Center.
In 2006, baritone saxophonist Alex Hamlin met Amy Lynn at a cast party during the Zurich, Switzerland leg of the “Grease the Musical" European tour. At some point between trading zany moves on the dance floor, the two recognized a chemistry that would blossom both romantically and musically. The couple recently married in August 2011. Alex was (and remains) in awe of Amy Lynn's uncanny ability to deliver a song with not only intense emotion but also stunning realism. Amy Lynn adored (and still adores) how Alex's sense of humor shone through his playing and arranging. As they brainstormed potential joint projects, they both recognized the 60s pop and soul sound—marked by powerhouse singers and infectious horn licks—as especially fertile ground on which to showcase their combined talents.
Not surprisingly, Amy Lynn and Alex wrote their first song, “Love, Sweet Love" with The Supremes' “Where Did Our Love Go" in mind. To fully realize “Love, Sweet Love," as well as the slew of originals they subsequently co-wrote, they assembled the 9-piece Amy Lynn and the Gunshow. Selecting the band's personnel was a no-brainer: for the instrumentalists, Alex recruited his talented fellow Eastman School of Music alumni, and Amy Lynn snatched up two of her longtime best buddies from the musical theater circuit to be her gutsy backup singers. In 2008, Amy Lynn and the Gunshow released their self-titled debut album, a five-track offering featuring originals arranged by Alex.
The leading lovebirds strive to make Amy Lynn and the Gunshow the upbeat voice they don't hear on the radio: beyond the meticulous care the Gunshow pours into their zestful choreography and full-bodied live arrangements, the band exudes a levity befitting their 60s style repertoire. It stems lyrically from songs such as “You Bring Me Joy." But it also flows from the perpetual motion Alex and his baritone sax achieve onstage, and the way the ever-spontaneous Amy Lynn will partner-dance with her mic stand or drop to her knees to belt a high “C" at moment's notice.
Given the Gunshow's standout showmanship and feel-good energy, it's no wonder that their performances at NYC's top venues, including the Highline Ballroom, The Mercury Lounge, and Joe's Pub, have met with glowing reviews. Better stay tuned: they'll soon be tearing up a stage near you.
Amy Lynn and the Gunshow have just released an amazing self-titled EP to rave reviews. Heather Wysocki from Chicks with Guns Magazine writes, “ Entirely eschewing modern influences in favor of honoring the Motown and gospel greats that came before here, Amy Lynn Zanetto and her nine-piece and sometimes-more band create music for another era, but do it with panache and expertise." Highlights include: “Missing You" which feature Amy's powerhouse vocals and the soulful horns from the Gunshow, “Comfort Me"- a cover of Carla Thomas' Stax hit, and the dancefloor stomping of “You Bring Me Joy." “Missing You" was recently played on Big Easy Brides, a reality TV show on the WeTV network
in Meriden, Connecticut to Cuban and Italian-American parents, Amy Lynn was suckled on the stimulating sounds of Chicago, Gloria Estefan, and Motown. Singing soon became her consuming passion, approached only by her love for sports. An all-state setter in high school, Amy Lynn would cut her chops by screaming Whitney Houston numbers for the entire neighborhood's benefit while hurling her volleyball against her bedroom wall. She pursued musical theater with the same tenacious gusto, earning her BFA from the Hartt School of Music, and thereafter demonstrated her versatility in a variety of roles, from Mrs. Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular to Janis Joplin at the Kennedy Center.
In 2006, baritone saxophonist Alex Hamlin met Amy Lynn at a cast party during the Zurich, Switzerland leg of the “Grease the Musical" European tour. At some point between trading zany moves on the dance floor, the two recognized a chemistry that would blossom both romantically and musically. The couple recently married in August 2011. Alex was (and remains) in awe of Amy Lynn's uncanny ability to deliver a song with not only intense emotion but also stunning realism. Amy Lynn adored (and still adores) how Alex's sense of humor shone through his playing and arranging. As they brainstormed potential joint projects, they both recognized the 60s pop and soul sound—marked by powerhouse singers and infectious horn licks—as especially fertile ground on which to showcase their combined talents.
Not surprisingly, Amy Lynn and Alex wrote their first song, “Love, Sweet Love" with The Supremes' “Where Did Our Love Go" in mind. To fully realize “Love, Sweet Love," as well as the slew of originals they subsequently co-wrote, they assembled the 9-piece Amy Lynn and the Gunshow. Selecting the band's personnel was a no-brainer: for the instrumentalists, Alex recruited his talented fellow Eastman School of Music alumni, and Amy Lynn snatched up two of her longtime best buddies from the musical theater circuit to be her gutsy backup singers. In 2008, Amy Lynn and the Gunshow released their self-titled debut album, a five-track offering featuring originals arranged by Alex.
The leading lovebirds strive to make Amy Lynn and the Gunshow the upbeat voice they don't hear on the radio: beyond the meticulous care the Gunshow pours into their zestful choreography and full-bodied live arrangements, the band exudes a levity befitting their 60s style repertoire. It stems lyrically from songs such as “You Bring Me Joy." But it also flows from the perpetual motion Alex and his baritone sax achieve onstage, and the way the ever-spontaneous Amy Lynn will partner-dance with her mic stand or drop to her knees to belt a high “C" at moment's notice.
Given the Gunshow's standout showmanship and feel-good energy, it's no wonder that their performances at NYC's top venues, including the Highline Ballroom, The Mercury Lounge, and Joe's Pub, have met with glowing reviews. Better stay tuned: they'll soon be tearing up a stage near you.
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