Meet Cathryn Curry Hasz | Bassist – The Beard & The Bird

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathryn Curry Hasz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathryn, how do you define success?
Defining success as a band just starting out is a tricky thing.

Is it selling enough tickets? Or the numbers of followers on social media or listeners on Spotify? Or is it making sure the crowd keeps dancing and the man in the corner keeps his arms uncrossed and continues to tap his foot?

Each week we’re planning, practicing, and problem solving as we work towards the next goal for The Beard & The Bird.

Mark Twain said “To succeed in life you need two things: ignorance and confidence,” and neither of us have both.

Jon has been playing music and performing for 30 years, having played his first show as a kid at a Mexican food restaurant in Ramona. He knows the ins and outs of the business, so he lacks the ignorance but has the confidence, and is usually just sparring with having the time.

With running a Ramona Music Center, After Hours Studio, C&G guitars and Traveling Through Live on YouTube /Patreon channels, and trying to spend the remaining time with his exceedingly demanding yet delightful wife (ahem, *hair flip*), the band stuff can get lost in the shuffle.

I’ve been performing and playing the upright bass consistently for just over two years, so I’m still getting into a rhythm (pun intended) and getting comfortable, and also have very little knowledge on the industry. So my ignorance and lack of confidence is in direct contrast with Jon.

That said, my background is in project management and marketing, so I’m constantly pushing for goal setting, and milestones attached to set schedules, driving us towards the next big thing. We try to utilize our unique backgrounds to work in harmony wherever possible.

For me right now, I define success as having consistent, constructive communication and working together successfully as a team as we juggle our responsibilities and try to grow as a band as well as a couple.

We try to have monthly band meetings, debrief after each gig (there’s way more snacks involved after bad ones), compliment our successes and encourage each other to be better.

We aren’t charting any billboards or selling out venues, but we’ve worked to curate our sound, have recorded a few songs with more on the way, and have gathered a network of meaningful friends and fans on both coasts.

Our friends and family think we’re a bit nuts for doing what we do, but Robin Williams once said, “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You must not lose it.”

Well, our life is consistently bonkers so I think we’re doing just fine.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We’re proud to have created something together, and to be continuously growing and improving as a band and as a couple.

It’s definitely not easy or without it’s challenges, but every obstacle is a lesson to learn from, and every success is a reminder of why we’re doing it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ramona’s music scene is next level. There is live music somewhere every night of the week. That, coupled with tons of wineries, distilleries and great restaurants, could keep you entertained for days!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to Michael Raher (Ramona Home Journal) for encouraging me to play the Ramona Fair two years ago, and even more so for succumbing to the peer pressure that I would only play if he played with us. Thank you for being my emotional support drummer and friend.

Website: https://linktr.ee/thebeardandthebird

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeardandthebird

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeardandthebird

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebeardandthebird?sub_confirmation=1

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeardandthebird

Image Credits
John Hancock Photography