The intersection of art and love
‘Star Is Born’ movie sheds light on working relationships of married performers.
There’s something irresistible about the heady intersection of show business and romance, which is why Hollywood keeps remaking “A Star Is Born,” this time starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. This $38 million version opened in theaters Friday.
Why are audiences repeatedly drawn to the story of talented and impossibly good-looking people trying to navigate the fickle field of fame and love? Jill and Rich Switzer have some ideas.
Married 23 years, the hosts of Legends Radio’s “The Morning Lounge” and veterans of the local jazz scene with The Switzer Trio, the couple has some thoughts about making music and a lasting career with your life partner.
When did you meet? Was it professionally?
Jill Switzer: Over 24 years ago, Rich put an ad in The Rag magazine classifieds for a vocalist. I went to The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, to audition on a Thursday night. I got the gig. (Smiles.)
How long had each of you been professional musicians before you got together?
Jill: I sang with a band in Palm Beach for about five years before auditioning for Rich, and Rich had been gigging since he was 13 — he’s never had any other job.
Had either of you dated fellow musicians before?
Jill: Not me because I was married to my first husband for the majority of the first years I was singing. But Rich was a card-carrying bachelor when we met, and he dated plenty! From what I hear and have seen firsthand with other band members, it can get sticky when things don’t work out.
Rich Switzer: Just to be clear, I never did date any musicians or singers, especially in the same band … nothing but trouble. Even worse when on the road!
Ego and competition play into a relationship, romantic or otherwise. How does that factor in with a marriage that is also a professional partnership, in a profession that has ego and competition as part of the fabric?
Jill: Great question! Rich and I are very well-suited because we both want the greater good of the band. That means we encourage and allow each other to shine as well as our band members. We believe in the team, and we are only as strong as the weakest link, as they say.
What do you do in your marriage not to make that a thing?
Jill: There are honest discussions, compromise, arguments for sure. But at the end of the day, we have made a great living because we want to entertain our audience and usually agree on how to go about that.
Have both of you seen previous versions of “A Star Is Born?” If so, what about it resonated with you, if anything? Are you excited about seeing the new one? Have you heard anything about it?
Rich: Loved that movie! My favorite line is after he wrecks
his little sports car and is lying
on the road, she says, “If you die, I’ll kill you!” I’ve heard great things about the new movie… I think Gaga will surprise everyone once again, only in a good way.
You guys are partners. What do you think the complications might be if, like in the movie, one partner was on their way up while the other was declining? Have you seen that happen with others in the business?
Rich: This, for us, is more than a partnership — it’s the marriage pact … through sickness and in health, richer, poorer, etc. We have both had our individual ups and downs, and it is difficult at times, but we both are at the table in the morning. Nobody’s leaving. If we weren’t married, who knows? Through the years, we have seen other musical partnerships dissolve because one is getting more of the limelight than the other. For us, we feel we are better together no matter what.