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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The WannaBeatles to Perform on 'Huckabee' Show in New York on Feb. 1

     NASHVILLE - The WannaBeatles, the world’s only Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band, will travel to New York City to make their national television debut when they appear on “ Huckabee” on Fox News Channel on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET. 

     The award-winning songwriters/musicians will help celebrate the highly anticipated and publicized 50th Anniversary of the Beatles first performance on American soil ("The Ed Sullivan Show") by playing a medley of Beatles classics as well as debuting their self-proclaimed Beatles fan anthem “Because They Were Fab.” Gov. Huckabee will sit in with The WannaBeatles on bass as the “Fifth WannaBeatle.”

     Straight from their first national television performance, the high energy musical tribute band will make their Big Apple debut, bringing their uniquely energetic live show of Beatles classics and their own original Beatle-esque songs to New York City’s famed The Cutting Room (44 E. 32nd St.). For tickets ($15 advance / $20 at door) click HERE or go to the venue's website at http://tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com or call (212) 691-1900.

     The WannaBeatles, who use their multi-instrumental skills to recreate the sights and sounds associated with BeatleMania, will be headlining Nashville’s own gala celebration of the Beatles 50th Anniversary on Feb. 9 at Barlines in the new Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville. The special celebration is from 5 -9 p.m. and free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by Nashville’s own WHPY 94.5 (Hippie Radio). A live webcast of the concert begins at 7 p.m. CT on HippieRadio945.com. The WannaBeatles will recreate moments from "The Ed Sullivan Show" with their unique live-to-film sequence. Footage from "The Ed Sullivan Show" will be shown, and a menu consisting of Liverpool flavored dishes will be available.

     Hippie Radio has added "In '63", their nostalgic original song that depicts the times in which the Beatles got their start, to their playlist.

     In 2012, The WannaBeatles (Dennis Scott, David Toledo, Nathan Burbank, Bryan Cumming) were nominated for a Grammy (Spoken Word category) for their album "Fab Fan Memories - The Beatles Bond". Louise Harrison (George’s big sister) hosts over an hour of interviews and commentary in this unique forum of Beatles fans from across the globe. Featuring guest appearances by Janis Ian, Phil Keaggy, Nancy Lee Andrews, Melissa Manchester, Ken Mansfield, Alan Menken, Wesley Orbison, Bruce Spizer, Billy Swan and devoted fans.

     Learn more about The WannaBeatles at http://www.TheWannaBeatles.com .

Amy Allen's New Single 'Josie Rae' Celebrates Motherhood

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 2014) – Country-pop-Americana artist Amy Allen is releasing the second single from her highly successful new album, "Someday Is Today".

            "Josie Rae", a mid-tempo country/pop song about motherhood, is being promoted to radio stations across the nation by Nashville-based Bill Wence Promotions. The first single (the album's title track) recently hit number 15 on the STS Main Country Chart. Selections from the "Someday Is Today" CD continue to air on country and Americana radio stations around the world.

Amy Allen

            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. She returned to Music City to record the album in 2012 and 2013.

            "Response to 'Josie Rae' and other songs from the CD has been wonderful," said Allen, who will perform a concert in Nashville in early February. "My new 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.

            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."

            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 album, which retails for $15 (USD) and $9.99 (USD) for digital sales at iTunes, is distributed by Wormwood Records.

            "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."

            Allen recently performed to full houses at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado, Ark., and The Row in Nashville. Upcoming performances include the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville (Feb. 2 and Feb. 7) and the Songwriters Showcase in Fredericksburg, Va., on Sept. 26. The artist is available to perform at concert venues, arts centers, nightclubs, art galleries, hotels, casinos, festivals, assisted living centers, and churches.

            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. "Josie Rae" and other selections from the album can be heard at http://www.TheAmyAllen.com and purchased from iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/someday-is-today/id710800873?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 .

            "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, including motherhood."

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

            For more information about the CD or booking Allen for an upcoming event, call (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 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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'Tunesmithing' to Feature Claudia Nygaard, Les Kerr and A.C. Helms on Jan. 21

     NASHVILLE -- The monthly "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase will spotlight eight professional and emerging songwriters from 8-10:30 p.m. Jan. 21 (Tuesday) at The Row Kitchen & Pub, 110 Lyle Ave. (near Music Row).

Claudia Nygaard

     Taking the stage for the "Professional Songwriters Segment" at 8 p.m. will be country/contemporary Christian singer-songwriter A.C. Helms (noted Nashville recording session vocalist); hillbilly blues/Caribbean/Rock 'n' Roll singer-songwriter/author Les Kerr ("The Americana Boogie" and "The Tennessee Book"); and hit Americana/Roots/folk singer-songwriter/storyteller Claudia Nygaard ("Let The Storm Roll In"/climbed to number one on the Cashbox Roots Music Country Chart).

Les Kerr

     The "Emerging Songwriters Segment" at 9:30 p.m. will feature Global Songwriters Connection members Erskin Anavitarte, Gary Chapman, Melissa Miller, Debbie Pascarella and Sarah Spencer.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. For more information about "Tunesmithing", call (615) 423-9857, write Info@Tunesmithing.com, or visit http://www.Tunesmithing.com.

A.C. Helms