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Shatter the Mirror 3:490:00/3:49
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Cheatin' 4:200:00/4:20
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Red Sky 4:280:00/4:28
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Show Me The Way 4:270:00/4:27
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About Us
Aging Disgracefully
Blues, Boldness and Breaking Boundaries
Aging Disgracefully is a blues-inspired duo that blends raw emotion, soulful melodies, and sometimes playful storytelling into a sound that speaks to the heart. Karen Pyra and Mike Elliott create music that reflects their personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs. Drawing from the rich traditions of blues, folk, and roots music, Aging Disgracefully is a testament to the power of creative expression at any age.
How It All Began
Karen and Mike first crossed paths in the small town of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, at a songwriting workshop designed to foster collaboration and creativity. Both songwriters with their own records, they immediately clicked, finding a deep connection in their shared love for blues and roots music. Their first collaborative single, “Holiday Tangle,” marked the beginning of something special. That song captured their unique chemistry, and soon they were writing together regularly, finding a voice that felt both fresh and familiar.
The Music
Most of the music of Aging Disgracefully is firmly rooted in the blues: music that comes from the heart, with raw emotion and an unflinching look at life’s challenges. Their sound is a blend of traditional blues influences, Americana, and roots music, creating a sound that several music reviews describe as timeless yet distinctly modern. Karen’s soulful, powerful voice is the perfect vehicle for their lyrics, while Mike’s expressive guitar work and vocals add depth and texture to each song. Together, they craft songs that explore themes of love, loss, regret, redemption, humour and the wisdom that comes with age. Each song carries the weight of lived experience, a reflection of the stories they’ve gathered over the years.
Why "Aging Disgracefully"?
The name "Aging Disgracefully" was chosen to reflect the duo’s refusal to accept the ageism that permeates society, and more specifically, the music industry. In an industry that frequently overlooks musicians in their second half of life, Karen and Mike believe it’s essential to create and share music that resonates with the experiences of older generations.
Aging Disgracefully represents a refusal to conform to society’s expectations of what it means to be "too old." It’s about rejecting societal expectations about aging, and instead embracing the richness of life’s later years. Through their music, they seek to provide a voice for the generation whose stories are often left untold in today's music, and to show that there is no age limit to writing, creating, and sharing music that speaks to the heart.
Aging Disgracefully is more than just a name—it’s a movement. It’s a declaration that music is for everyone, at every stage of life. Karen and Mike are proof that it’s never too late to make music that matters, and their songs are a testament to the power of creative expression at any age.
Through their music, they’re inviting listeners to join them in aging proudly, with fire, creativity, and a little bit of "disgrace" along the way too. Because growing older doesn’t mean you have to stop living, loving, or creating. And with Aging Disgracefully, the best is still to come.
Recognition
Aging Disgracefully's music has been lauded by music reviewers and has received international recognition. They won Best Original Song in the 2025 Round the Globe Film and Music Festival, and were Finalists in the InterContinental Music Awards blues category. Their album was named one of the top 29 blues albums in Canada on the Rockin' Blues annual list, and in early 2026 they were nominated for an East Coast Music Award for Blues Release of the Year. In March 2026, they were given Honorable Mention by the Music in Motion Awards who said their "raw, soulful delivery is a masterclass in emotional truth" and called them "a vital voice in the Canadian blues scene."
More About Mike Elliott
Mike Elliott is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and mandolin player from Shelburne Nova Scotia.
Mike has been playing music on the South Shore since the 1980’s in a variety of bands, including The Poorboys, Heavywater, and Bruce’s Wharf, releasing two albums with The Poorboys and Heavywater respectively.
Mike has performed for Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, and many others. Mike plays a range of music from folk to R&R and blues. He spent many years as a volunteer at the Osprey Arts Center booking music, doing sound and as Vice Chair of the center.
Mike is also a bit of a handyman, building his beloved cottage at Lake Deception for his wife, sons and grandchildren to enjoy. He also repairs and builds guitars when he has time.
Mike’s three sons are musicians. The oldest is a DJ as well. He has performed on stage with all 3 sons at the Osprey Arts center as part of “ Mike Elliott’s Kitchen Party”, which ran as an often sold out show for 10 years at the theatre. Mike currently does “Mike Elliott’s Christmas Kitchen Party” annually at the Osprey.
More About Karen Pyra
Often described as someone who "lives life large," Karen's music reflects that phrase. From celebrating love and family, to a sassy celebration of post menopausal realities, to explorations of fear and deep grief, all of Karen's songs tug more than one emotional thread for most listeners.
Karen is determined to step outside society's stereotypes of gender and age by exploring the experiences of people in the second half of their lives through music. She writes and sings songs across multiple musical genres. She released her first album, Scrapbook, in 2023 and celebrated its release with a concert at PEI's Harmony House that people are still talking about. Her song celebrating women farmers everywhere, Farm Girl With Attitude was her first song to chart on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown Chart, and she has had numerous songs on the East Coast Top 30 Chart including the celebration of her home province of Prince Edward Island, "Coming Home to the Island, " and her duet with Darrel Cameron, "Hear My Heart" which was number 14 in the East Coast Top 100 songs of 2025 and made it to the number 1 spot on the weekly chart.
Karen is passionate about her horses, dogs and wonderful partner of over 40 years, Jim. And you can often find her on a beach.