Sunday, August 31, 2014

'Tunesmithing' to Celebrate Americana Music Festival on Sept. 16


     NASHVILLE -- The monthly "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase will celebrate the Americana Music Festival by spotlighting five professional Americana performing songwriters from 7-9:30 p.m. Sept. 16 (Tuesday) at WXYZ Restaurant/Bar at the Aloft Nashville Hotel, 1719 West End Ave. (near Music Row).
Chris Beall

     Taking the stage for 25-minute performances will be Amy Allen (Top-15 singles “Someday Is Today” and “Josie Rae”), Chris Beall (the new album “The Gin Mill Hymns”), Mary Beth Cross (the new album “Beyond Good and Evil”), Suzahn Fiering (presented the “Honored Friend Award” by Paul McCartney), and Brian Ashley Jones (new CD “Out of the City”).
Amy Allen

     Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Publicists Chuck Whiting and Scott Johnson will emcee the show. Songwriter/audio engineer AJ Bigler will handle sound.

     "It's going to be a terrific show featuring some of the nation's most accomplished Americana singer-songwriters," said Chuck Whiting, founder of 'Tunesmithing'. All of the performers have performed extensively, with substantial radio airplay. The show will be a great way to help kick off the Americana Music Festival."

     "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Records and Books. "Tunesmithing" was founded in 2003 to spotlight emerging, professional and hit songwriters. The event offers mentoring, career growth and networking opportunities for tunesmiths at all levels.

     For more information about "Tunesmithing", call (615) 423-9857, write Info@Tunesmithing.com, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com.

Mary Beth Cross

Suzahn Fiering

Brian Ashley Jones

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Amy Allen to Perform at 'First Night Alexandria' in Washington, D.C., Area on Dec. 31


            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 2014) – Country-blues-Americana artist Amy Allen will celebrate her top-15 single, "Josie Rae", with several major performances, including "First Night Alexandria" in the Washington, D.C., area on Dec. 31.

            Allen will receive exposure in Nashville during the Americana Music Festival on Sept. 16 with a spotlight performance at the "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase near Music Row. The artist will headline a similar show in Independence, Va., on Sept. 12 as part of the "Reaching Your Dream" arts weekend. Other stops include El Dorado, Ark.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Roanoke, Va.; and Fredericksburg, Va.

Amy Allen performs at W.O. Smith School
            "I'm really looking forward to performing at 'Tunesmithing" and other events in Tennessee and Virginia this fall, and next spring" said Allen, whose "Someday Is Today" has generated two hit singles on terrestrial and Internet radio.

            Allen's "Josie Rae" single reached number 15 on Roots Music Report's Top 50 Pop Country Song Chart (just below Luke Bryan, Big & Rich, and The Band Perry) and number 23 on RMR's Top 50 Country Chart. The song continues to air on radio stations around the world, including Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

            "Josie Rae", a mid-tempo country/pop song about motherhood, is being promoted to radio stations across the United States by Nashville-based Bill Wence Promotions. The song is the second single from her "Someday Is Today" CD. The album reached number 38 on RMR's Top 50 Country Album Chart and number 2 on the RMR Arkansas Album Chart. The first single, "Someday Is Today", hit the Top 15 on the STS Main Country Chart.

            Allen's concerts feature various songs from her albums "Someday Is Today" and "Night Vision", as well as classic covers in blues, country, pop, rock and Americana. View her latest performances on video at www.TheAmyAllen.com/music/video/.

            "Response to 'Josie Rae' and my other songs has been wonderful," the former Warner Music studio singer added. "My latest single expresses a mother's love for a daughter. The song prompts tearful reactions from mothers of all ages everywhere I perform. It's a reflection of what I've experienced raising my children."

            The "Someday Is Today" CD features 11 original songs inspired by real-life experiences. The artist describes her sound as a versatile mix of blues-accented country, pop and Americana with hints of Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Elton John, and Patsy Cline. The online retailer iTunes named the album "New and Noteworthy" shortly after it was released. "Josie Rae" and other selections from the album can be heard at www.TheAmyAllen.com/music/ and purchased from iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/someday-is-today/id710800873?ign-mpt=uo%3D4.

            In the song "Josie Rae", the singer-songwriter writes: "You make my world such a wonderful place to stay... Thanks for making everyday for me Mother's Day." Allen penned the song for her daughter, drawing inspiration from the unforgettable, life-changing experiences mothers have while raising children.

            According to a reviewer for Skope Magazine, the artist has an "irresistible, bubbly personality backed by powerful vocals that evoke real emotion. She sings loud and proud in the song "Josie Rae" about her daughter. When she is describing her [daughter's] smile, you can't help but grin ear-to-ear yourself."

            "I have had the pleasure of hosting inspirational singer-songwriter Amy Allen on more than one occasion," said Sean O'Shea, music director for the 400-member Center for Spiritual Living Nashville. "Her melodies are memorable and her lyrics are poignant and all delivered in an energetic and relatable performance. Further, Amy is an absolutely pleasure to work with -- showing respect and caring for all who surround her. Off stage, Amy is an inspiring parent and caring human being."

            Allen recently performed to full houses at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado, Ark., and the Co-Creators Coffeehouse (at CSLN) and The Row in Nashville. Upcoming performances include "Tunesmithing" at the Aloft Hotel West End in Nashville (Sept. 16); the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City, Tenn. (Sept. 19); The 1908 Courthouse in Independence, Va. (Sept. 12); "First Night Alexandria" at the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Va. (Dec. 31); and the Songwriters Showcase in Fredericksburg, Va., on April 24, 2015.

            Produced and recorded in Nashville by Denny Martin Productions, "Someday Is Today" offers heartfelt ballads, mid-tempo crowd pleasers, and rock-accented dance numbers. Allen is joined by an all-star cast of Nashville session musicians, including guitarist Scott Neubert, background vocalists Jaimee Paul and Vickie Carrico, electric guitarist Jason Roller, and keyboardist Steve Peffer.

            The "Someday Is Today" CD is available through major online retailers such as Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby. The singles "Someday Is Today", "Josie Rae", and "Cryin' Time" are available for download at iTunes. A portion of the proceeds from album and concert ticket sales will benefit local non-profit charities that provide the support and resources people need to discover their dreams.

            "Every note I sing or every note or chord I strum is given with all of the love I have for the song I am performing," the singer-songwriter said.

            Allen is represented in the United States by Bill Wence Promotions, Whiting Publicity and Promotions, Music City Artist Management, and in Europe by Hemifran.

            To book Allen for an upcoming event, call (615) 423-9857 or (870) 918-4403; send an email message to info@TheAmyAllen.com, or mail correspondence to Wormwood Records, 736 Bodenhamer Drive, El Dorado, AR 71730. To learn more about the artist, visit www.TheAmyAllen.com. Media and management-related inquiries may be directed to Arts@WhitingPublicity.com or by calling (615) 423-9857.
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Friday, August 1, 2014

'Tunesmithing' to Spotlight Film/TV Music Composers on Aug. 20


     NASHVILLE -- The monthly "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase will celebrate the writing of music and songs for film and television during a special presentation from 7-9:30 p.m. Aug. 20 (Wednesday) at WXYZ Restaurant/Bar at its new home, the Aloft Nashville Hotel, 1719 West End Ave. (near Music Row). 

     Taking the stage for the "Professional Songwriters Segment" at 7 p.m. will be a dozen area composers and songwriters who are working to place original music and songs in movies and TV shows. They will be AJ Bigler, Ed Branding, Katie Brooks, Valerie Connelly, Carlos Enrique, Warren Evans, Holly Hiese, Christy Hunniford, Javier Lynch, Max Niederle, Doug Sisemore, and Chuck Whiting.


     Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Publicists Chuck Whiting and Scott Johnson will emcee the show. Songwriter/audio engineer AJ Bigler will handle sound. "Tunesmithing" is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions, Music City Arts Update, and Shine Time Records and Books. "Tunesmithing" was founded in 2003 to spotlight emerging, professional and hit songwriters. The event offers mentoring, career growth and networking opportunities for tunesmiths at all levels. 

     Future shows include a special Americana "Tunesmithing" to celebrate the Americana Music Festival (Sept. 16). For more information about "Tunesmithing", call (615) 423-9857, write Info@Tunesmithing.com, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com.