Folk-Americana Artist Mary Beth Cross Releases New Bluegrass EP 'Feels Like Home'

By Chuck Whiting

Editor of Music City Arts

            DENVER (May 2016) – Award-winning folk-Americana artist Mary Beth Cross has released an eight-song bluegrass EP that celebrates the importance of home in the lives of average, everyday Americans.

            "Feels Like Home" includes original songs, as well as classics written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Garry White, Van Morrison, George Gershwin, and Dubose Heyward. The recording spotlights Cross's soaring, pure-tone soprano vocals. It was produced by veteran banjoist Chris Pandolfi, who joins nationally respected musicians Jeremy Garrett on fiddle, Tyler Grant on guitar, and Adrian Engfer on bass. The EP is dedicated to her late nephew, Christopher Chmiel, who died unexpectedly in 2015.

Click here to download songs from "Feels Like Home"

 
            "My latest project includes cover songs that are part of the tapestry of my upbringing in Wisconsin, as well as originals that reflect my current home in Colorado," said Cross, whose last project, "Beyond Good and Evil", was named "2014 Folk-Country CD of the Year" by the National Traditional Country Music Association. "We went with less is more, taking an approach that feels live, acoustic, down-to-earth, and not too far from home. Good memories or sad memories are evoked by some of my favorite songs."

            Cross recently celebrated "Feels Like Home" with a concert at Baur's listening room in downtown Denver. She will perform a second concert at Denver's Swallow Hill Music Association in October after attending the IBMA Conference and Bluegrass Ramble in Raleigh, N.C. Among the covers on the EP are "Kathy's Song", a classic written and recorded by folk-pop legend Paul Simon, and "Long Long Time", a hit song for Linda Ronstadt.

            "Feels Like Home" debuted at number one on the APD Americana/AAA Albums chart. To download selections from the EP, visit https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/feels-like-home-ep/id1097215219 or www.MaryBethCross.com.
 

Americana-folk artist Mary Beth Cross explores bluegrass with "Feels Like Home"

            "My favorite original on the project has to be 'Threshing Time'," Cross added. "It's a true story about my grandparents that was narrated to me through my father's memory. When he was a little boy, he always looked forward to working together with relatives and neighbors at threshing time. After a long, hot summer day in Wisconsin, they would return from the fields to enjoy a spread of homemade chicken, corn, salads and desserts. To quench their thirst, there was cold lemonade and homemade beer and wine."

            The artist said she was especially pleased with "Kathy's Song", a cover that features "soft, tender and lovely" guitar by Grant and banjo by Pandolfi. Other songs on the project are her original "Cottonwood Creek"; the Doc Watson classic "Shady Grove"; and "The Medley", an eight-minute performance featuring Heyward and Gershwin's "Summertime", Van Morrison's "Moondance", and Cross's "Pas De Deux".

            Cross praised the contributions from her fellow musicians, who helped her transition from the Americana-folk sound she has long been known for to a down-to-earth bluegrass presentation that evokes memories of home in Wisconsin, Colorado, Tennessee and other parts of America.

            "Capturing a truly live feel in the studio takes experience and commitment, but it always brings the music to life," said Pandolfi, a banjoist/producer known for the Trout Steak Revival project, "Brighter Everyday". "Mary Beth went for it on this project, and she did an amazing job with both her original material, as well as meaningful takes on a few classic songs."

            Guitarist Tyler Grant added, "Mary Beth Cross is not just a fine musician and songwriter. She is also a wonderful person with an honest and authentic spirit that shines through her music. It was a great pleasure to work with her and Chris on this album."

            Cross received national exposure in 2013 with release of her fourth CD, "Beyond Good and Evil". That project, which was produced by Dave Bechtel, landed a top-five ranking on Airplay Direct. Critics around the world praised the album, with Country Music News International calling it worthy of "Americana CD of the Year".

            “I’ve discovered that people are yearning to find acceptance and solace in a dizzying world of pressure-filled expectations,” Cross said. “People long for an authentic, non-formula approach.

            An accomplished vocalist and tunesmith, Cross moved to Denver in the 1980s to pursue a nursing career. Her music is influenced by the rural farmland and forests of her Wisconsin upbringing and the Rocky Mountains where she now resides. She carefully chooses acoustic instrumentation to bring her story-driven songs to life. Her music represents a few of the cultures that have contributed to what has become American music today.

            To learn more about Mary Beth Cross or her music, call (303) 842-1587, send an email message to MaryBeth@MaryBethCross.com, or visit www.MaryBethCross.com or www.reverbnation.com/marybethcross .

Scott Coner Teams Up With Hit Songwriter Carol Chase for 'Whiter Shade of Pale'

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 2016) – Country artist Scott Coner and hit singer-songwriter Carol Chase have teamed up for a new single and music video of the classic Procol Harum rock classic, "Whiter Shade of Pale".

            Coner, who has recorded several classic rock covers in the past, says he discovered the song in the early 1980s on the soundtrack for the movie "The Big Chill". It's been a favorite ever since.

            "Procol Harum did a great job with the song," said Coner, who will include the tune on a new EP to be released this summer. "When I first started talking with Carol Chase, I wanted to begin on common ground. We hadn't begun writing together at that point, and I thought it would be good to start with a more established song. I had been considering the song already, and when I mentioned it, she loved the idea."

            To view the "Whiter Shade of Pale" music video, visit Scott Coner's YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/n1AMo4-g7zk. To download the song at iTunes, visit https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/whiter-shade-pale-feat.-carol/id1114887283.

            Scott's wife, Cyndi, shot the video for Cynnamae Media Productions on the Coner family farm in Nancy, Kentucky, and during a recording session at 515 Studio in Nashville. The video was themed with different transition shots using natural shades of white. She added 1960s effects at the beginning after studying the original Procol Harum video.

            "We've all reviewed the video, and everyone is very happy with the results," Scott added. "I like working on our family farm because of the pretty surroundings, the seclusion, and my own memories of the farm itself. We hope people will enjoy it as much as we did while recording and filming the song."

            Scott's goal for the recording was to take a new approach, while respecting the original feel and structure of the original Procol Harum hit. Listeners can still hear the signature Hammond B-3 organ licks and "Beatlesque" percussion made famous in the original.

 'Whiter Shade of Pale' - Scott Coner Featuring Carol Chase

            "We kept the song at the same beats per minute," the artist continued. "My direction to the drummer was to attack it like John Bonham on a very simple, stripped-down set. As things progressed in the studio, the song went a slightly different direction with more of a pop sound. To allow for easier transition, we went with a simple bend in the guitar hook to maintain the contrast of the organ and the original direction of sound."

            "Whiter Shade of Pale" follows the release of a music video for "Maybe She Lied", a hit duet featuring Scott Coner and country singing legend Tanya Tucker. The "Maybe She Lied" video has been downloaded almost 250,000 times at http://www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic. The song hit number one on the United Kingdom's Hot Disk Top 40. "Maybe She Lied" and other song selections can be downloaded on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/scott-coner/id333235738.

            Scott also has recorded with country legends T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. Other songs, including "Sanibel" (a duet with Brown) and "Reedy's Dream" (with vocal and instrumental contributions from Daniels), have been heard on terrestrial and online radio stations around the world. Also an emerging author, Scott recently penned the book "Lynyrd Skynyrd: Ronnie Van Zant and Me" with Gene Odom, a survivor of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash.

            To learn more about Scott Coner or to download his songs and videos, visit www.ScottConer.com. Follow Scott at www.Twitter.com/ScottConer. Subscribe to the artist's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCepl18iQT9-j_GX8eYZHrVA?sub_confirmation=1 .

'FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical' to Premiere in Middle Tennessee July 7-17

            COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (May 2016) -- The Broadway-style play "FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical" will hold its world premiere on July 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the 450-seat Cookeville Performing Arts Center, 10 E. Broad St. in Cookeville, Tennessee. 

            Show times for "FEARLESS!" are 7 p.m. from Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $16 (adults age 18 and over), $12 (seniors age 62 and over), and $10 (students age 17 and under, and individuals in groups of five or more). Ticket sale proceeds from the play will benefit the Putnam Country Habitat for Humanity's new Cookeville West End Place Housing Initiative, the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and the Mustard Seed Ranch for endangered, at-risk children. 

            "I'm thrilled to stage the world premiere of my musical at the beautiful CPAC theatre in Cookeville," said Cookeville playwright/composer Valerie Connelly, who spent many years writing what some are calling today's version of "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music". 

            "FEARLESS!', which features a vibrant cast (including two puppies) and a 24-piece orchestra, is a wholesome family double-love story that previewers agree "provokes toe-tapping, laughter and tears." The story's characters sing and dance across the stage, expressing 2016 challenges, opportunities, joys and the importance of fearlessness in the pursuit of life, love and happiness.

            Connelly is a Cookeville-based songwriter-performer, fine artist, film score composer, and book publisher in Cookeville. She joined ASCAP in 1987 as a songwriter and professional performer and has composed hundreds of songs. Tickets to "FEARLESS! may be purchased online at http://www.cookeville-tn.gov/ls/cpac/cpac-calendar/. To learn more about Valerie Connelly and her play, visit http://www.fearlessthemusical.com. 

'FEARLESS' Fashion Show and Wine Tasting to Occur on May 15 in Cookeville

            COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (May 2016) -- A popcorn, fashion show and wine tasting in Cookeville, Tennessee, on May 15 will help fund production costs for the eight-performance world premiere of the original Broadway-style stage show, "Fearless! The Golden Glove Musical", with ticket sale proceeds supporting three nonprofit charities.

            The "FEARLESS! Spring/Summer Popcorn, Fashion, Cosmetics, Fragrance Show & Wine Tasting" fundraising event will occur from 2-5 p.m. at the Country Inn & Suites, 1151 S. Jefferson Ave. in Cookeville. Donations raised from the free event will help stage Cookeville playwright/composer Valerie Connelly's new musical "FEARLESS!" at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center from July 7-17. Ticket sale proceeds will benefit the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity's new Cookeville West End Place Housing Initiative, the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and the Mustard Seed Ranch for endangered, at-risk children.

            "We are very appreciative for the more than 100 businesses and organizations that are supporting our efforts to help bring this lifelong dream creation to Middle Tennessee, while benefiting three local nonprofit causes," said Connelly, who composed and arranged the music and lyrics for all 24 songs, and who wrote all of the script for the two-act play.

            Highlights of the "FEARLESS!" fundraising event are

            * A fashion show presented by Belk, with models showing fashions, cosmetics and brand fragrances for all ages.

            * A wine tasting featuring various selections from Del Monaco Winery & Vineyards.

            Attendees also will enjoy all-you-can-eat popcorn provided by Carmike Cinema. Staging for the fashion show will be provided by Hobby Lobby and/or Abel Gardens.

            "FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical" will premiere on July 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the 450-seat CPAC theatre with a vibrant cast (including two puppies) and a 24-piece orchestra. Years in the making, many describe the music as "today's version of 'West Side Story' and 'The Sound of Music'." "FEARLESS!" is a wholesome family double-love story that previewers agree "provokes toe-tapping, laughter and tears." The story's characters sing and dance across the stage, expressing 2016 challenges, opportunities, joys and the importance of fearlessness in the pursuit of life, love and happiness. Cast members will be announced in mid-May.

            The show's creator, Valerie Connelly, is a Cookeville-based songwriter-performer, fine artist, film score composer, and book publisher in Cookeville. She joined ASCAP composer in 1987 as a songwriter and professional performer and has composed hundreds of songs.

            Tickets to "FEARLESS!" are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $16 (adults age 18 and over), $12 (seniors age 62 and over), and $10 (students age 17 and under and individuals in groups of five or more). Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.cookeville-tn.gov/ls/cpac/cpac-calendar/. To learn more about Connelly and her play, visit http://www.fearlessthemusical.com.

Mary Beth Cross to Celebrate Release of 'Feels Like Home' EP with Denver Concert

            DENVER (April 2016) – Award-winning folk-bluegrass-Americana artist Mary Beth Cross will celebrate the release of her new bluegrass-Americana EP, "Feels Like Home", with a concert and meet-and-greet from 3-5 p.m. May 15 (Sunday) at Baur's Restaurant, 1512 Curtis St. in Denver. 

            Cross's latest project celebrates the importance of home in the lives of average, everyday Americans. The eight-song EP features originals, as well as classics written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Garry White, Van Morrison, George Gershwin, and Dubose Heyward. 

          The artist will be joined on stage by National Flat-Picking Champion and Grant Farm Band founding member Tyler Grant, Grant Farm Band bassist Adrian Engfer, banjoist George Guthrie, mandolinist Jack Dunlevie, and fiddler Chuck Hugenberg. Admission is free.

          The EP is dedicated to her late nephew, Christopher Chmiel, who died unexpectedly in 2015. "My latest project includes cover songs that are part of the tapestry of my upbringing in Wisconsin, as well as originals that reflect my current home in Colorado," said Cross, whose last project, "Beyond Good and Evil", was named "2014 Folk-Country CD of the Year" by the National Traditional Country Music Association. 

          Among the covers is "Kathy's Song", a classic written and recorded by folk-pop legend Paul Simon.  

          For more information about the event or to listen to a preview release of the song from the EP, visit http://www.MaryBethCross.com.

'Tunesmithing' to Feature Five Songwriting Acts in Nashville on May 18

         NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 2016) -- "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase will spotlight five Americana, country and jazz songwriting acts from 7-9:30 p.m. May 18 (Wednesday) at WXYZ Restaurant/Bar at the Aloft Nashville Hotel, 1719 West End Ave. (near Music Row). 

          Attendees will enjoy original songs by Sally Burgess, Wil Comstock, Melissa Javors, Linda McRae, and Mike Rodgers. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Publicist Chuck Whiting will emcee the show. Songwriter/audio engineer AJ Bigler will handle sound. 

          "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase is sponsored by Music City Arts Network. The monthly show was founded in 2003 to spotlight emerging, professional and hit songwriters, as well as artists of all kinds. The event offers mentoring, career growth and networking opportunities for artists at all levels. 

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

'The Ryman Diaires' Continues at Bibb Center Through May 7

          NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 2015) – Award-winning actor/playwright/director Tom Dolan and author/musician/educator Debbie Mathis Watts will portray Music City legends Captain Tom Ryman and Bettie Baugh Ryman in the multi-media musical stage play "The Ryman Diaries" through May 7 at the Bibb-White Bluff Civic Center.

          The shows will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. No shows will be offered Sunday-Wednesday. Admission is $12. The Bibb Center is located at 10545 Old Charlotte Road in White Bluff, Tenn., near Dickson. 

          Described as a 19th Century love story, "The Ryman Diaries" is a historical drama that depicts the life and times of Cumberland riverboat Captain Tom Ryman as told through the eyes of his wife, Bettie Baugh Ryman. The story covers 70 years of the couple's lives through film media, stage acting, and original musical numbers. It tells of their unlikely romance, marriage, entrepreneurship, raising seven children on a riverboat, ultimate success, Christian conversion at a tent meeting, and the building of the Union Gospel Tabernacle. 

Debbie Watts and Tom Dolan portray Captain Tom Ryman and his wife Bettie.

          The play is based on Watts' book, with additional dialog from Dolan. The actors penned seven original songs for the production. Film clips feature flashbacks of young Bettie and historical stills provided by the Metro Archives. 

          "Both Bettie and Tom had the hearts of musicians, so it was totally fitting that they would play and sing," said Watts, a former producer for various shows on TNN: The Nashville Network. "They were true romantics who laid the musical foundation for Middle Tennessee." 

          A veteran educator, professional pianist-vocalist, and author, Watts' theatrical roles include Mollie in "Mousetrap" and Agnes in "I Do, I Do". Dolan has received national acclaim starring as Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey", Dr. Albert Schweitzer in "Memoirs from Africa", and Sam Clemens in "Mark Twain Live". The actors also star in a new play in San Diego based on the lives of John and Lillie Spreckels.  

          To buy tickets for "The Ryman Diaries", call (615) 797-1154 or send an e-mail inquiry to Wattsd2@att.net. To learn more about the play, visit http://wattsd2.wix.com/rymandiaries.