One might think the only way to get noticed in the music business is for an artist to be the focus of concert performances. Yet a growing number of performers have begun branching out and providing a soundtrack to other activities. Instead of having the audiences come to where they are performing, the musicians go instead to where crowds congregate. A couple cases in point are the annual Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon and the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off. But an increasingly common occurrence is having artists provide background music for a dining experience. Once the exclusive domain of cover artists, a brunch these days can include music by the same artists who might headline the venue during evening hours. This is the case with singer Stellita Lindgren, who will appear with pianist Larry Logan during brunch at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge on Sunday, Dec. 20. A mainstay of San Diego’s music scene for the past 20 years, Lindgren has done it all, from girl-group oldies to jazz. Today, in addition to her piano duo, she also fronts her own R&B group — Stellita’s Groove — and is one of The Corvelles, a trio dedicated to the girl-groups’ sounds of the 1960s. Lindgren can be heard every morning in San Diego with the Corvelles. That’s The Corvelles providing the vocals on the theme to KUSI-TV’s “Good Morning San Diego.” It’s a long way from her debut on New Year’s Eve 1989 with the show band The Revelles. Lindgren has never looked back. One of the area’s premier R&B singers, Lindgren credits vocalist Natalie Cole as a major influence behind her sound. “She had so much in her sound that I admired, particularly her R&B side,” Lindgren said. “Jazz is something I can do, but it just isn’t enough.” Though the set list for brunch is comprised of cover songs, Lindgren has different goals for her own music. “I need the beat in my songs to be R&Bish, a little more funky and uptempo,” Lindgren said. Lindgren said a brunch gig is significantly different than a regular concert. “I do a lot of cocktail parties and I started doing that early on,” Lindgren said. “So I got used to people talking, smiling and laughing while you play. You can tell they can hear you, every once in awhile, they’ll look at you and smile.” The event’s timing is important for her repertoire as well. “The early hour makes things different, loud or too fast won’t work,” Lindgren said. “Also, it’s a different type of audience in that they have usually made reservations. So it’s not so much about drawing a crowd, as it is in a regular show. It’s more about providing the right music for the diners.” According to Lindgren, the morning listeners tend to favor jazz standards “but I’ll mix it up with some Motown or even Michael Jackson. There can be such a wide variety of people there that you try to have a little something for different aspects of the crowd.” Upcoming projects include delving into the world of soundtracks. Meanwhile, Lindgren said she is working on a followup to her 2000 album “Finally.” Lindgren attributes the delay in new recordings to a heavy work schedule between her various groups and occasional session dates. She said she intends to keep the bulk of her original material with Stellita’s Groove, though there may be some crossover. “I’m working material into the band slowly but surely, but I may also eventually incorporate a tune or two in the brunch or cocktail party setting,” Lindgren said. After two decades performing, Lindgren has seemingly lost none of the passion or fire for her craft. “I’ve always felt that music soothes the soul,” Lindgren said. “It takes away the stress. You can see it in people’s faces as they listen, while they eat. It feels good to have that affect with your music.” Lindgren performs at 10 a.m Dec. 20 at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Drive on Shelter Island. For more information, visit www.humphreysbackstagelive.-com.