Leaving Past Troubles Behind — Rebecca Correia’s “Rose Colored Glasses”
Grew up on a rural horse farm enjoying the natural surroundings in the little town of Rochester, MA. Where do you like to go running around your hometown?
Two of my very favorite runs include Marion Road, which starts in Rochester and stretches out to Middleborough, MA. It’s a beautiful road with lots of great scenery. My other favorite run is to leave our farm and run to Ned’s Point Lighthouse in Mattapoisett. It’s gorgeous. And there’s something about passing through farmland and ending up at the ocean.
Writing songs since the age of 9. Reflecting on the songs you wrote as a child, are there any that you might rework to record now?
There are a few that I still sing from time to time. Many of my songs are autobiographical. So, it is healing to revisit. There are a few, in particular, that I revisit often. We almost recorded a song of mine that I wrote when I was 16 for my upcoming album. We ended up going in another direction, but I suspect it may find its way to a record in the future.
Divide time between Rochester and Leipers Fork, TN (a haven for music lovers and legends just outside of Nashville). Favorite places to write in these two towns?
I’ve written many songs at the house I grew up in on our family farm, Bennett Farm. Over the 8 years that I lived there, I wrote many songs on Caney Fork Road in Williamson County. I wrote “Rose Colored Glasses” at the kitchen table of friend’s house in Leiper’s Fork.
Collaborations with Grammy-award-winning artist Keb’ Mo’ throughout your career. “It all began after overcoming a hurdle in my life. I sat down and wrote a song called “Solid Ground.” The very next morning I woke up from a vivid dream of a woman dancing on a ship, I recognized both the ship and the woman in my dream as the S.S.V. Tabor Boy [a ship owned by a private high school in Marion, Massachusetts near your hometown] and Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Adrianne Haslet.” In the song’s video, the two of you are dancing under full sail in Sippican Harbor on the ship.
Half of the video’s proceeds were donated to Limbs for Life Foundation, a global nonprofit that provides fully functional prosthetic care to those who cannot afford it (and where Haslet is a board member and ambassador), raising awareness of the challenges facing amputees. Have you had other songs where a personal storyline and a song intersected in your life?
Yes, my songs are often autobiographical. But, occasionally, I’ve had the pleasure to share in someone else’s life as I did when I wrote “So Long Goodbye” with Keb’ Mo’ for his album, Bluesamericana. My upcoming release, “Flying” is about a falling out with a person in my life. The shift led me to a healthier and happier place in my life.
“Soul Survivor,” “It may be hard to believe but I wrote this song and these specific lyrics several years before my brother Graham ran nearly 2000 miles from CO to MA to raise awareness for addiction & recovery. I suppose a part of me knew he’d one day take the necessary steps.” Graham’s The Herren Project — “Hi there, my name is Graham Correia. I’m 42 years old and have been a drug addict and an alcoholic for 25 years. I never owned it. I never pointed fingers at myself. I alienated everyone around me, mostly those who were closest to me. And lost a lot of people in my life that I never wanted to lose. On the flip side of that, the unconditional support of people around me in this recovery process has been amazing. I finally surrendered to this Disease. I wasn’t sure what direction I was going to go in, but I knew I was going to follow my heart and the direction of the people who were there for me even after they found out about the things that I’d done to hurt people, especially loved ones. It gave me hope. So, I had a choice to make. I could go to a treatment center. I could try AA meetings. I could try therapy. I decided to take a different route. And put them all together in a place that I had never been. I packed a bag. A small double bag with one pair of old running shoes and had just enough money on a Jet Blue credit to get on a plane from Boston to Denver. I had no idea what I was doing but I did know that I needed to be in a place that spoke to me. And the Rocky Mountains being what they are, did just that. I stepped off the plane and I started to run.” How is Graham doing today?
Thank you for asking. I believe it’s really important to share our stories and raise awareness. Others may gain strength and courage from your story! Graham is doing great. More than 2.5 years sober and clean. My brother is rebuilding his life and being of service to others. He resides in our hometown with his son and daughter with whom he devotes his life to. He is still currently running many miles per week and making the family laugh with his one-liners. I’m grateful he is reaching towards light now. It’s been a long arduous journey, but people do recover.
Averaging 150 shows per year and accompanying yourself on guitar, piano, and mandolin, showcasing your versatility and depth as an artist. Are there any other instruments you’d like to learn to play?
I would love to learn the Portuguese guitarra or Portuguese guitar. It has 12 strings and uses different tunings than we do on guitar. It sounds almost similar to a mandolin.
Shared the stage with artists such as Natasha Bedingfield, Shawn Colvin, Livingston Taylor, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Vance Gilbert, plus fellow Hartt alumni and Season 1 Winner of The Voice Javier Colon. Any plans to write with Colon?
Funny enough, Javier and I have never written a song together as of yet. I’m so glad you’re calling us out and I hope he is seeing this Q&A! We have so much fun harmonizing to our favorite songs that are already in existence. We need to focus our energy and write! One of our favorite covers to play is “Turn This World Around” by Amy Grant!
“Rose Colored Glasses,” featuring Lillie Mae, reflects a journey of leaving past troubles behind and finding solace and love. What is the backstory of your latest release?
This song was inspired by the experiences of several women in my life. I include parts of my own story as well. These women in the story faced oppression, domestic violence, mental health and beyond. Their strength and perseverance have inspired me.
Working on an EP titled Flying. How has your sound evolved over the past few years?
I’ve learned to take more chances and explore. Sometimes in the past, I’ve taken myself too seriously, and that has hindered my ability let my projects soar.
Real Estate for over 16 years. Where have you always dreamed of living? Some people can’t pick just one place, so they settle on a few vacation properties in their favorite places. Your bucket list of travel destinations?
I am absolutely dying to visit the Azores in Portugal. It has been on my bucket list for some time. I adore Leiper’s Fork, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Mattapoisett!
What’s ahead in 2025?
I plan to tour in support of this record. Summer is often a busy time for me performing at destinations like Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. It would be a dream to open a national or international tour in the summer!