Shelly Mascari performed her first solo in church at the age of 7. So it”s not surprising she was a professional singer in southern California before arriving in Lake County eight years ago. She also worked in marketing and communications — and this after earning a degree in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College. In other words, she is (and always has been) and active person. Her energies now go into her role as Director of Communications for the Lake County Office of Education and Director of the successful Hero Project (lakecountyheroproject.com). Oh, and they also go into her singing, as she is a front woman for the popular band The Funky Dozen.
1. Why not a baker”s dozen — 13 band members?
It”s not always a dozen. Sometimes we might have someone missing. It”s funky because it”s not always 12.
2. Was it difficult to develop a following?
It is the nicest group of people. We have so much fun together and people have fun when they are there. It”s a natural, organic thing that happened.
3. When I”m done with work I kick back on the rocking chair. When you”re done, you go out and sing. What”s wrong with you?
You know, I love what I do for a living, but it”s fun to go blow off steam — and as an adult to have an excuse to wear flashy clothes and shoes.
4. Would you like to sing professionally again?
[Long pause]. The music business is often not a happy place to be. It”s not always glamorous. The work I do now, I get to have an impact. And then I get to go enjoy the fun part of music. It”s the perfect combination.
5. Do you have a favorite singer?
Can I give you a couple? Ann Wilson, Pat Benatar, Steve Perry, Annie Lennox — I could go on.
6. Yeah, that was more than a couple. Ever get to see other local bands?
Not as much as I”d like to, but it”s one of my New Year”s resolutions. I”m always inspired by them.
7. Do you sing in the car?
Always. That”s where I rehearse.
8. The Hero Project has been a big deal. How did it start?
We started on it two years ago. We were wanting to develop a way to support parents. They are the most important teachers. We were able to get support from so many awesome agencies. My team here — Robyn Bera, Laurie Allen, Annie Gall, Martha Miller, Jessica King — they carried the weight. We gave it the name because of my own daughter. She fought for her life her first year. I didn”t take it so well — it was a pity party. One day I had a friend say ”at some point you”re going to have to be the hero of this story.” We have to be the hero for our kids. That”s what I”d love every parent to recognize.
9. The Hero Project encourages reading. Do you have time to read?
I love to read. It”s one of my favorite unwinding activities — reading and exercising.
10. You know, you can”t get all that done in one day.
My team is awesome — that”s a lot of it. Yeah, I have a lot of energy. It might be annoying sometimes.
