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The CYNOVA
duo began as a collabortion between CJ (Cynthia) Smith, Nora-Ellen Long,
and Valerie Van Zyl. After Valerie's death in the summer of 2005, CJ and Nora-Ellen decided to
continue on and kept the name in honor of Val. The group delivers poignant originals with dynamic harmonic arrangements and
covers.
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| CJ Smith |
CJ was born in Georgia and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. Encouraged by a mother who taught
English, writing always seemed to be a part of CJ's life. She received her first guitar at age ten as a bribe from
her father to cut her hair. The two came together at age 17 when her mother suggested that some of her poetry might make a
good song. Song crafting has been her medium of choice ever
since. Her back
door socio-political statements and often tongue in cheek relationship commentary are both poignant and thought provoking.
Ranging stylistically from thumping roots rock, achingly good ballads, minor blues, and even a little bluegrass, the collection
spans the emotional palette. Her musical influences have been Dan Fogelberg, the Eagles,
the Indigo Girls, Melissa Ethridge, as well as traditional bluegrass.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Nora has been a singer all her life. She made her first recording at the age
of 5 and joined her first band at 14. She has never looked back. She has worked literally hundreds of day jobs to support
her music habit. Her early musical influences were the folk and acid rock groups of the 60’s and the harmony
rich groups like Poco, the Byrds, Jesse Colin Young. This vast background is put to good use in the exploration of creativity
that shines through in the vocal arrangements.
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