Biography

Primarily known for their original and cover songs, Lynn and Doug—collectively recognized as the Second Story Duo™—have spent several years writing and performing an eclectic range of music. Their work has received outstanding acclaim, achieving well over two million streams across more than 80 countries globally. Their latest project, the Reflections album, was released in September of 2024 and showcases their musical collaborations with various Bay Area artists, creating a diverse and personal collection of songs that invites listeners to step into their unique world and reflect on their own experiences through the music.

The creation of the Reflections album was a true labor of love for Second Story Duo™, crafted over two years anchored in collaboration and artistic growth. For Lynn Case, one half of the duo alongside her partner Doug (now her husband!), the journey began with an ambitious New Year’s goal: to step outside her comfort zone and open up to collaborations with other musicians. This goal blossomed into a rich array of musical partnerships, resulting in an album that encaptures their evolution as artists while exploring intimate themes of life, love, and memory.

"This album started with the idea of collaboration," Lynn explains. "Doug and I participated in a Tuesday night class where we presented our new songs and received feedback from industry experts, including #1 hit songwriter Steve Seskin and fellow songwriters. It truly challenged us to elevate our work." The duo’s first collaboration was with their friend and talented guitarist Robert Witmeyer, who infused a Heart-inspired flair into the song "New York/California Girl." "I envisioned a lead guitar part that echoed that style, and Robert absolutely nailed it. It pushed us to strive for excellence in our playing, which was a great growth opportunity for us."

Musical collaborations continue to be a driving force throughout the entire Reflections album, shaping both its sound and emotional depth. Notably, pianist Greg Sankovich played a pivotal role in their creative process. "Greg’s genius on the piano is unparalleled," Lynn says. "He creates an environment where I feel liberated to experiment while searching for the right sound." Their collaboration with Greg on the song "Reflections" set the tone for the album’s exploratory spirit, leading Lynn to rediscover her love for the track by the end of the process.

The Reflections album distinctly differs from their earlier work, especially their debut album, What I Wish For Us. "With Reflections, we allowed the lyrics to guide the direction of each song," Doug notes. "We embraced a variety of genres and styles, permitting each track to evolve naturally." The outcome is a varied collection of original and cover songs, ranging from the country-infused "Whiskey" to the French-inspired "The Lake Song," which serves as a heartfelt tribute to Lynn’s sister-in-law, featuring an accordion performance by Doug that honors his father's musical legacy.

While personal experiences have always influenced Lynn and Doug's songwriting, the Reflections album is their most intimate and diverse effort yet. "Every song resonates with a part of my life or someone I cherish," Lynn reflects. “Whether recounting a friend’s struggle with Alzheimer’s in ‘The Long Goodbye’ or celebrating carefree summers in ‘The Lake Song,’ each track serves as a love letter to important moments and relationships in my life.

The collaborative essence of the Reflections album also shines through in the backing vocals, with a talented group of vocalists known as the “Shady Ladies”—Rocio Guitard, Mary Zarucchi, Sharon Perl, and Maggie Wing—contributing their voices to craft a fun and empowering anthem with "Out With My Girls." "Rocio co-wrote the song with us and not only provided harmonies but also enriched our vocal recording experience, making it incredibly enjoyable," Lynn recalls. "It opened up a whole new world of music for us."

As Lynn and Doug reflect on their two-year journey toward creating Reflections, they acknowledge the challenges faced along the way, as well as the significant growth they achieved. "Every song on this album has imparted new knowledge," Lynn shares. "Whether learning to trust myself or discovering a new vocal style, each track brought its own unique lessons."

At its core, Reflections is a celebration of life’s moments, both the small daily occurrences and the profound experiences that stay with us forever. "I hope listeners can embark on their own journeys within these songs," Lynn expresses. "For me, each song reflects a piece of my life, and I aspire for others to use them as vehicles for reflection on their own stories."

Lynn's love for music was sparked by musicals, initiating a profound emotional connection to song, purchasing her first 45' at a young age. Influenced by female artists like Judy Tzuke and Angela Bofill, Lynn recognized early on the scarcity of female talent in music, stating, "It was challenging to discover women artists when I was younger, so Judy Tzuke and Angela Bofill were in constant rotation on my player." It was only at the age of 40 that she took the step to perform publicly, and at 50 that she began writing her first songs.

Doug, a multi-instrumentalist and early Apple pioneer, drew inspiration from his father, who released a hit record in 1957 and ran a music studio chain where Doug later worked alongside his mother. Despite being exceptionally skilled, music was initially a side pursuit for Doug, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served 18 years as a Naval Officer, leading him to Apple and work alongside Steve Jobs before eventually transitioning to Google where he retired in 2013.

For Lynn and Doug, the ultimate dream is not necessarily to collaborate with chart-topping stars; instead, they hope for those artists to hear their songs and feel compelled to make them their own. "I would love for someone with greater talent than us to discover one of our songs and feel inspired to create their interpretation," Lynn reveals. "That is the ultimate goal—to produce something that resonates so deeply it takes on a life of its own."

The Reflections album was officially released on September 27, 2024.