Conversations with Abby Grimaldi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Grimaldi

Hi Abby, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in the small city of Grand Forks, ND. I knew music & performing were gifts of mine early on, & fortunately my parents had the instinct to put my older sister & I in a variety of activities including piano lessons, ballet, children’s choir, orchestra, summer theater, etc. Most of my fondest childhood memories involve music & performing. I was more of an academic-type kid growing up, & my involvement in the performing arts gave me a lane to shine & be more confident in myself.

Having spent my senior year of high school playing the piano & violin, singing, writing music, & dancing – it was only fitting that I chose to pursue a degree in Music Education at my local school, the University of North Dakota (UND) in the fall of 2012. While in school I focused on my vocal development & songwriting, eventually releasing my first album of original music in 2015 entitled “You Are Free.” During this time, I also competed in the Miss America Organization, representing my hometown twice at the Miss North Dakota state pageant.

Shortly after graduating, in summer 2016 I married professional hockey player & former UND forward, Rocco Grimaldi. Since our wedding I have moved 25 times for his hockey career, living in Los Angeles, Denver, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Nashville, San Diego, Rockford, Chicago, & currently Cleveland. The most notable stint has been the stretch of several years we spent in Nashville where I had to chance to launch my career as a Contemporary Christian Music artist & songwriter. I released 5 singles in this time culminating into an EP released in August 2023 entitled “Dreamer.”

Today I reside in Cleveland with my husband who plays for the Cleveland Monsters & our baby boy named Matteo. I stay home with him, & I am also working remotely with my producer on upcoming releases.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to where I stand today as a Christian artist has been marked by many highs & lows. Leaving my hometown at 22 years old, & just two years later living in Nashville, a major music industry city, I have been humbled, risen, & grown many times. I am a firm believer that the two best ways to grow are to put yourself in situations that are beyond your comfort zone & to seek the critique of those with more experience & expertise than yourself.

It took me a while to establish industry connections in Nashville, but once I did, I quickly began to develop in ways I’d never imagined as an artist. My producer & vocal coach have both been paramount to my growth, most prominently because they didn’t hesitate to critique the details of my songs & voice. They’ve sharpened my creative mindset, songwriting process, & vocal technique, allowing me to progress in ways I don’t think I could have by myself.

Additionally, I have needed to take many unexpected twists in my husband’s hockey career in stride. Moving 25 times in 8 years is no easy feat, especially now that I have a baby to care for. I have relied on the hope of my Christian faith & the support of friends & family to continue moving forward in this unpredictable season of life. My husband is also a wonderful partner to walk through this lifestyle with, as he is extremely reliable & resilient. The challenges in our life together make the high points that much more meaningful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Christian Pop singer, songwriter, performer, & pianist. I am known for my upbeat pop songs, always inspired by real life experiences. I typically perform at the piano, but I also love to perform center stage with a band nearby and a bit of choreography involved.

One of the most pivotal elements of my artistry is my extensive background in performing & studying classical music. I do a lot of solo-writing, & I like to be very involved in the production of my recorded songs. When writing a new song, I typically have a clear vision of what I want the completed record to sound like, & I attribute that to my background in playing so much orchestral music.

Music, to me, is play. I love to let my imagination run its course. The creative process of writing, recording, & performing music is very satisfying to me. I also relish in the chance of sharing it with others, hoping to support & encourage them in whatever they may be walking through.

What are your plans for the future?
I am currently in the process of recording my next batch of songs. I look forward to hearing the finished products & preparing each of them for their releases into the world! Being a new stay-at-home mom while my husband continues his rigorous hockey schedule has spread my typical workload thinner, & I spend each day finding new ways to complete the tasks before me. I never knew how parenthood would look for Rocco & I in this unique lifestyle, & I’m so thankful for how baby Matteo has blended quite seamlessly into all of it. Matteo comes with me to every Monsters game of his dad’s & does so well. Rocco & I love being with Matteo. I even found a way to complete recording work on my upcoming singles this fall, especially thanks to my mom who flew in to watch Matteo! Ultimately, I trust that whatever work Rocco & I are meant to do, God will give us the time & space to do it. And most importantly, God will give Rocco & I the wisdom & energy required to support each other & our growing son. It is my greatest joy to live for Christ in a way that serves my family, uplifts others, & hopefully, reflects His glory.

Pricing:

• Booking for weddings, corporate events, private gatherings, etc. Pricing varies based on event.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abbygrimaldimusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbygrimaldi23/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbygrimaldi23
• Twitter: https://x.com/abbygrimaldi23
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@abbygrimaldi