Frank Sinatra Tribute Concert Tour to Begin in Washington, D.C.

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

(Editor's Note: From time to time, we post information about arts-related events occurring in other areas of the country. We hope the "Our Way" show celebrating Frank Sinatra will eventually make its way to Nashville. The show will air online on a date TBA.)

           WASHINGTON (June 2016) -- Mishkan Torah Synagogue and Bigshot Records will celebrate pop/jazz legend Frank Sinatra by staging a special 100th birthday concert in Greenbelt, Maryland, on June 26 featuring the Choper Jazz Project, a band led by noted drummer Brian Choper.

           The "Our Way" concert will occur from 3-5 p.m. at Mishkan Torah Synagogue, 10 Ridge Road in the Washington suburb of Greenbelt. The show will include performances of "My Way", "New York, New York", and other classics by vocalist Peter Cannella, a Sinatra prodigy who joined the band last year after packing houses in venues along the East Coast.

           Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for teens 13 and over, $5 for kids 12 and under, and $50 for a family group. They may be purchased online at www.MishkanTorah.org or www.BigshotRecordsLive.com.

Photo of Choper Jazz Project by Mickie Hill

           Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will support Sinatra for Seniors, an organization that brings music to senior citizens to help improve mental health. To learn more about Sinatra for Seniors, visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sinatra-for-seniors#/.

            "We are delighted to partner with the Mishkan Torah Synagogue for this highly worthwhile event to honor Frank Sinatra, while also supporting better mental health for our seniors," said Choper, founder of BigShot Records and its parent company, Washington Entertainment Connection. "This concert has been months in the making."

           Ol' Blue Eyes was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Dec. 12, 1915, going on to become one of the popular and influential musical artists in the 19th Century. The Choper Jazz Project will use the concert as the kickoff for a national concert tour honoring Sinatra.

           Cannella will be backed by the Choper Jazz Project, a band featuring veteran Washington musicians Choper on drums, Harry Appelman on keyboards, and Ephraim Wolfolk on bass. The show also will include a horn section with tenor and alto sax.

           "It's true that Frank Sinatra never worked with a combo or small band, so this concept is brand new," Choper noted. "We have intentionally orchestrated this to produce a great sound with fewer musicians. Most of the people we've introduced this concept to have been impressed or wowed by the rich, full sound of this music coming from fewer players. We also plan to stage shows with 17-piece orchestras like Sinatra used."

           Cannella's vocals have been described as “jaw-dropping and memorable.” Before signing exclusively for Bigshot Records, the vocalist sung both classics and originals at restaurants, nightclubs and casinos from New York to Washington. He describes his sound as traditional pop, swing and jazz. The tenor’s favorite classics include Bobby Darin’s version of “Mack the Knife”, and of course the eponymous Sinatra anthems.

           "Sinatra fans are in for an unforgettable evening," Choper added. "We plan to mix it up by throwing in a Michael Buble’ version of a Sinatra tune, and there will be a few surprises."

           Choper is the founder and drummer of the renowned New Klezmer Quintet and the Nexus Rock Band. Appelman, who teaches at Montgomery College, has appeared around the world with many popular jazz bands. Wollfolk is a veteran talent who serves on the board of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Federation of Musicians.

           The "Our Way" Sinatra tribute concert will be recorded for future online broadcasts at www.BigshotRecordsLive.com.
 

Amy Allen to Join All-Star Band for Nashville Concert on Feb. 7

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 2014) – Blues-accented country/pop/Americana singer-songwriter Amy Allen will take the stage for a special "Someday Is Today" concert from 8:30-10 p.m. Feb. 7 (Friday) at the CoCreators Coffeehouse at the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville, 6705 Charlotte Pike in Nashville.

            Opening for Allen from 7:30-8:15 p.m. will be singer-songwriters Taylor Giese, Chris 'Freight Train' Floyd, and Denny Martin. The artist will be joined onstage at 8:30 p.m. by an all-star cast of Nashville musicians, including Joel Atkins, Lance Hoppen, Max Niederle, Sean O'Shea, Rick Perry, J.Karen Thomas, Jody Lopez-Robinson, Susan Shann, and Mike Wagel. Admission is free; donations support the non-profit Global Village Education Foundation through the Just Give Movement.

            Allen is celebrating the recent release of her second album, "Someday Is Today". The title track from the project recently hit number 15 on the STS Main Country Chart.  "Josie Rae", a mid-tempo country/pop song about motherhood, was released to radio nationally on Jan. 6.

            Hoppen is the co-founder of the legendary rock/pop band Orleans, and Thomas has starred in movies and TV shows, including ABC-TV's "Nashville". O'Shea serves as the music director for the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville. Other musicians on the bill have performed extensively at venues and recording studios across the country.

            "It's an honor to perform with some of Nashville's most successful musicians," said Allen, who will perform in various cities during 2014, including a Blue Ridge Mountains tour in late September. "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. My voice is the voice of someone who has been down many different roads."

            Allen's surprising success follows a long break from the music industry. In the late 1990s, she landed a recording contract and opened for acts such as John Conlee, Patty Loveless, and Brooks & Dunn -- even performing at The White House and the Ryman Auditorium. Health-related issues and the decision to become a mother prompted her to leave Nashville for her hometown of El Dorado, Ark. Her family recently encouraged her to write, sing and record again.

            To learn more about Amy Allen, visit http://www.TheAmyAllen.com. For information about her upcoming concert, visit http://www.CoCreatorsCoffeehouse.org.

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Artist Spotlight: Matt Strasner Stands Out as One of the Only 'True' Country Artists in Slovenia

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            Matt Strasner is a country pop singer-songwriter from Slovenia known for his one-of-kind performances in the tradition of popular American country acts such as Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean.

            Considered one of the only "true" country artists in his home country (who writes and performs his own songs in English), he has performed at major clubs and appeared on the Slovenija National Television Network. He brings a one-of-a-kind mix of country pop and country rock in a region better known for Slovenian pop music. This makes the artist stand out -- drawing national exposure and introducing American-style country music to thousands of appreciative fans.

            "Songwriting and singing to me is a chance to help other people go through life easier," says Matt, who recently recorded his first country album, "Fly", in Nashville, Tenn. "It's a chance to tell people that how they feel is okay, and that they're not the only ones. We are together in this, and we have to do the best we can with what we've got. For me, it's a way out of the ordinary routine... a chance to relax and just enjoy the moment."

            Although he's only in his early 20s, Matt's view of life (reflected in his songs) has been impacted by personal relationships and unforgettable experiences. He wrote the title track of his new album while walking to the final test before graduating high school. He had meticulously studied five major subjects for two weeks, knowing that missing the smallest details might derail his future.

            "I just felt like I wanted to fly away and not think about it any longer," notes the artist, whose album was produced by music industry veteran Kim Copeland. "Most of my songs come from just seeing people rush and worry, cry and smile." 

            For Matt, writing country-pop songs represented a major transition. He began his musical journey in his teens as a punk rock artist, performing at a host of major clubs in front of hundreds of concertgoers. The change in his artistry is a reflection of his life-changing experiences and a growing appreciation of the U.S. country acts who deeply inspire him. He now dreams of performing across Europe and eventually in front of American audiences.

            The singer-songwriter is beginning to land significant exposure in his home country. He has appeared twice on the Slovenija National Television Network's morning show and at popular Slovenian venues such as Orto Bar, the Pekarna nightclub, and the Taverna concert hall. He has received standing ovations (and new fans) in major cities such as Koper, Ljubljana and Maribor.

            While visiting Nashville to record "Fly", he had the opportunity to perform at a popular songwriting venue called the Commodore Grille. He says he loved sharing the stage with professional and emerging tunesmiths. He also was thrilled to work in the studio with some of Music Row's most accomplished session players.

            The artist's onstage experience as a former punk rock artist gives him a confident and passionate persona that appeals to fans of all ages. He brings crowds to their feet with rousing renditions of hits by Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, then captures their hearts with expertly sung original ballads about love and loss. His shows, which range from one to four hours, offer depth with a wide range of originals and classics made famous by America's country stars. Matt's vocals and guitar licks are accented with piano, bass guitar and drums.

            Matt's playlist includes original songs from his new album ("Fly", "Afraid", Stay A Little Longer" and "Still Around"), as well as popular country covers ("Drunk On You"/Luke Bryan, "Tattoos On This Town"/Jason Aldean, "Let Me Down Easy"/Billy Currington, "Wagon Wheel"/Darius Rucker, "Stupid Boy"/Keith Urban, "Folsom Prison Blues"/Johnny Cash, and "Desperado"/The Eagles).

            The artist is receiving praise from music professionals and the news media.

            "What can you say about a boy born and raised in Slovenia who grows up to be a writer of country songs and a Nashville recording artist?" asks Nashville producer Kim Copeland. "A lot of good things if you are talking about Matt Strasner. His talent transcends language and borders. Matt writes about love and loss, and his smooth vocal texture makes you a believer. His humble attitude and warm smile are infectious, and both come through in his music. He is a new voice in country music, but one that is destined to be around a long time."

            "Every week there's two or three songs that stick with me," writes Bill Hughes, host of the "Rising Stars" show for radio stations Y 99.5-FM, 101.7 WJSQ-FM and WYGO-AM in Tennessee. "[The tune 'Still Around"] is one of them."

            "[Matt's] four-song EPK is amazing," raves Digital Rodeo reviewer Pam Stadel. "His style is pop-country, his vocals are smooth and strong, and the lyrics are clear and well written. As he sings, he draws you in with the emotion and has you hanging on every note. It is amazing that from halfway around the world, a great artist can emerge onto the country music scene."

            Matt is available to perform at concert venues, fairs, nightclubs, hotels, casinos and festivals. He plans to launch a European tour in 2014 with stops in Germany, Austria, Italy and the United Kingdom. He also plans to visit Nashville to write and record new songs, attend music industry events, and perform at legendary songwriting venues.           

            For more information or to book Matt Strasner for your next event, send an e-mail inquiry to management@mattstrasner.com or visit http://www.mattstrasner.com.

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Amy Allen's CD "Someday Is Today" Now Available

Congratulations to... Amy Allen, whose new CD of 11 original songs is now available at iTunes (digital download) and CD Baby (CD).

The album includes the hit single, "Someday Is Today", which is currently in the Top 50 of the New Music Weekly Country Main chart. 

"Someday Is Today" at iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/someday-is-today/id710800873?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 

"Someday Is Today" at CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/amyallen 

Please listen and let Amy know what you think (with a testimonial) at http://www.TheAmyAllen.com.

CD Review: Amy Allen's 'Someday Is Today' Offers Colorful Mixture of Country, Pop and Americana

(Editor's Note: Amy Allen's new CD, "Someday Is Today", will be released on Sept. 24. Amy will celebrate with a CD release party and concert at The Row Kitchen & Pub in Nashville on Sept. 26. The first single from the album recently hit the Top-50 of the New Music Weekly Country Main Chart.)

By Scott Johnson

MCAU Assistant Editor

It’s not easy to put Amy Allen in a musical box. Her second CD, “Someday is Today,” is a colorful mixture of country, pop, Americana and the blues. It’s also the perfect soundtrack for the new season. This release is unique in its joyfulness and hopeful attitude. Even the album artwork has the artist smiling and embracing her guitar. It’s clear that Amy is re-energized after returning from a musical hiatus and wants to share that excitement in her music. The album is even more personal as all 11 songs were either written or co-written by the artist. Amy’s positive attitude is most clearly revealed through the first single “Someday is Today.” This catchy earworm of a song will not leave your head for days! It’s no surprise that the song is gaining airplay across the country and in Europe. This is an anthem for chasing your dreams.

            Another standout is “Josie Rae,” a song written about Amy’s daughter. It has an undeniable hook and joy oozes out in every note. The artist knows some of her listeners might not have kids, but they can connect with the feeling of joy that another person can bring.

The album has something for everyone, including heartbreaking ballads. “Cryin’ Time” allows Allen a chance to show off her emotional vocals. She pours out all the feeling into the lyrics:

I get the cryin’ time

I get to feel that sting inside

From where the nagging memories don’t seem to fade

I’m the one who feels the pain

I get the cryin’ time

            This Patsy Cline-esque ballad is the kind of classic that will stand the test of time.  

            Amy’s influences can easily be heard in sassy songs such as “Thought of Being Alone.” This song would not be out of place on a Bonnie Raitt or Wynonna album. Meanwhile “Abbey Lane” is a song any Beatles fan would enjoy. It is full of Beatles references, and it’s fun to pick all of them out. From "Penny Lane" to "Abbey Road", there’s a lot for Beatleheads to find!

“Someday is Today” is hopefully the first of many musical offerings from the talented El Dorado, Ark., songwriter/artist. Don’t call it a comeback. This time Amy Allen has truly arrived, and Nashville is more than ready for her musical take over.

            Amy’s album, “Someday is Today”, is now available at iTunes and other major online retailers.

            Learn more about the artist and her music at http://www.TheAmyAllen.com.

Amy Allen to Release 'Someday Is Today' CD with Nashville Party and Concert

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 2013) – Amy Allen, a blues-accented country, pop and Americana singer-songwriter who has performed at venues ranging from the White House to the Ryman Auditorium, will celebrate the release of her second album in late September with a CD release party and concert near Music Row in Nashville, Tenn.

            "Someday Is Today" features 11 original songs inspired by real-life experiences. Selections from the project, including the title track, are receiving radio airplay across the U.S., Europe and Australia in advance of the CD's Sept. 24 release date. An invitation-only concert and CD release party for music industry professionals will occur on Sept. 26 near Music Row at The Row Kitchen & Pub, 110 Lyle Ave. Learn more about the artist at http://www.TheAmyAllen.com.

            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. She has opened for country acts such as John Conlee, Patty Loveless, and Brooks & Dunn. A preview EP, which was released in August, was named "New and Noteworthy" on the country music page at iTunes.com.

            "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 former Warner Music Nashville studio singer said. "My voice is the voice of someone who has been down many different roads."

            Recorded in Nashville, "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 album, which retails for $15, is distributed by Wormwood Records.

            Allen left the music industry in 2001 to raise a family in her hometown of El Dorado, Ark. She is returning to the national stage with the help of noted producer Denny Martin, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and others. Her concert tour, which will begin in September, will include stops in Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas.  She recently performed to a sold-out crowd at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado, Ark.

            "I produce a lot of artists in my studio, and Amy is truly an original," said Denny Martin, who co-wrote her bluesy ballad, "Cryin' Time". "Her natural-given voice is stunning in its clarity and expressiveness. Her sense of humor and joyful personality come through in her writing and her singing. I consider myself extremely fortunate to know her, to write with her, and to produce her. The world is about to hear what I've been hearing for more than two years."

            Amy's songs are an emotional reflection of what's she's experienced as a singer, songwriter and mother.

            The title cut, "Someday Is Today", was written for individuals who are patiently waiting for their dreams to come true. Allen's passionate alto vocals express the joy of overcoming life's sometimes-difficult road to discover what she's always longed for -- making music to change lives. Her country/pop anthem encourages listeners to believe that anything is possible in a fast-changing world of constant doubt.

            The CD's 10th cut, the moving ballad "Putting the Music Back In Me", expresses love and appreciation to the teenaged girl who encouraged Allen to sing again. She shares a thought-provoking story when introducing the song at her concerts.

             Amy was only 20 years old when she was first "discovered" in an Arkansas honky-tonk by a music industry executive. Her rendition of Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" led her to the footsteps of Shoney's on Music Row and eventually a contract with an independent record label. With stars in her eyes, she recorded her first album with some of Nashville's top musicians.

            Then came heartbreak. At age 22, Amy experienced a mild heart attack after going on a strict diet and losing more than 100 pounds. Although Amy was her ideal weight, she was told she must have plastic surgery to keep her contract. Amy faced a hard decision. She could continue to pursue her dreams under very difficult circumstances or return home to marry and raise a family. As her car climbed the ramp onto Interstate 40, she thought her days as a songwriter and singer in Nashville were over.

            Some years later, while going through a very difficult divorce, Amy heard a 12-year-old girl singing songs from her first album, "Night Vision".

            "It was as simple as that," Amy added. "Somehow, every emotion flooded through my body at that very moment, as well as the first realization that my musical story was not over. I wrote the song as a gift for that teenager. That experience is what led me back to Nashville."

            Allen's role as a loving parent is revealed in "Josie Rae", a mid-tempo country pop song that can easily be renamed to reflect any mother's love for a daughter. The singer-songwriter writes, "You make my world such a wonderful place to stay... Thanks for making everyday for me Mother's Day."

            The artist closes her "Someday Is Today" CD with the rocky, rousing, dance-inspiring "Tailshaker". Allen shows her versatility and ability to just let loose. She feels totally comfortable taking the nightclub stage, growling to her listeners, "I'm a tailshaker, money maker... I'm a woman, I'm an entertainer... I'm in a different town every night... And I bet you think you're my first Mr. Right...."

            Allen joined the Winchesters soon after arriving in Nashville in the 1990s, appearing at tourist bars on Broadway and at festivals in Arkansas and Tennessee. The artist also served as a studio singer for Warner Music Nashville. She has taken the stage as a solo artist at the Statue of Liberty, the White House, the Ryman Auditorium, Disney's Magic Kingdom, Vanderbilt University, and the Garden Hotel in Machakos, Kenya.

            The artist delighted audiences for the first time at age 4 as a singing angel in the children's choir at First Christian Church in her hometown of El Dorado, Ark. With her grandmother's encouragement, she spent her childhood years soaking in recordings by artists such as BB King and The Rolling Stones. She was only 12 when she joined the Down Home Band as a vocalist and pianist, giving her first professional performance at the American Legion Club. The band played dozens of bars across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. She joined the Ralston Girls country duet at age 15, opening for country artists such as John Conlee, Patty Loveless and Brooks & Dunn. While attending South Arkansas Community College and the University of Arkansas, she sang and played guitar and piano for the band Spare Change.

            Since the release of her first album, "Night Vision", and return to her hometown of El Dorado, Ark., she has performed regularly at Fayrays restaurant; the South Arkansas Arts Center; hundreds of house parties and charity events; Timberlane Health and Rehab; and numerous churches.

            "I can sing the blues as well as put a tear in my beer with country music," Allen noted. "I have been blessed with diversity and the ability to touch people with different musical styles.

            Allen will take her "Someday Is Today Tour" to concert venues, arts centers, nightclubs, art galleries, hotels, casinos, festivals, assisted living centers, and churches.

            The "Someday Is Today" CD will be available beginning Sept. 24 through major online retailers such as iTunes, Sound Cloud and Amazon. An EP featuring the singles "Someday Is Today", "Cryin' Time", and "Josie Rae" is available for download at iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/someday-is-today-single/id677814938?ign-mpt=uo%3D4. 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.

            For more information about the CD or booking Allen for an upcoming event, call (870) 918-4403, send an e-mail 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 http://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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