Nashville Composer-Author-Educator Chuck Whiting Releases New Album 'Dreamer On The Prowl'

         NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2018) -- Nashville composer, author and educator Chuck Whiting has released a new album of original songs and instrumentals featuring performances by respected Nashville musicians.

         Whiting describes his first solo effort, "Dreamer On The Prowl," as a reflection of his life's work. For many years, he wrote songs with the goal of landing cuts with other artists. Now his passion is aimed more towards the arts and originality, with a focus on film and television. 

         "I have a love for all kinds of music," Whiting said. "For me, recording this album wasn't about trying to fit into a particular genre. It was more about being true to who I am. I hope listeners will appreciate the authenticity. At this stage of my life and career, my work is more about expressing myself and being real."

         "Dreamer On The Prowl" features eight instrumentals and four vocal tunes, with guest appearances by acclaimed musicians such as clarinetist/saxophonist Max Niederle, harmonica player Chris "Freight Train" Floyd, violinist Myles Thompson, guitarist Tim Thompson, cornetist/guitarist Bryan Cumming, and the Grammy-nominated The WannaBeatles.

         The album is available at a host of online retailers, including CD Baby and iTunes. To hear or download selections from "Dreamer On The Prowl," visit http://store.cdbaby.com/cd/chuckwhiting3 or https://itunes.apple.com/mn/album/dreamer-on-the-prowl/1324598666 .

         "These incredible Nashville area artists helped lift my work to a higher level than I could have done myself," Whiting added. "They totally understood what I was reaching for."

         Highlights on the album include the Broadway-esque instrumental and vocal tune "Baby You're Good" (written with Candy Paull), the inspirational pop ballad "When You Have Love" (written with Lisa Aschmann), the classical instrumental "Water" (a duet with violinist Myles Thompson), a New Orleans-inspired instrumental called "Ragtimer Blues," and an "outside-the-box" jazz instrumental arrangement of "You Never Give Me Your Money" (a classic cover written by Lennon/McCartney). Max Niederle duets with Whiting on several instrumentals, including the title track.

         "I couldn't record my first album without including an instrumental cover of a Beatles song," Chuck continued. "They've been with me since the very beginning."

         Selections from "Dreamer On The Prowl" were recorded in various recording studios with engineering support from Fett, Bryan Cumming, Tim Thompson, Eric Normand, Dennis Scott, John Nicholson, and Michael Erin Woody. The project was mastered by Fett, and graphic design was handled by Brian T. Cox.

         Chuck Whiting is a songwriter, composer, pianist, singer, author, publicist and educator. He began his career as a reporter for The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register and The Birmingham (Ala.) News. He worked in the PR field after that, including a seven-year stint as the PR representative for the Opryland Hotel. He launched his own Nashville company, Music City Arts Network, in 1993. He currently serves as an instructor of Mass Communications for Motlow State Community College in Smyrna, Tennessee. 

Chuck Whiting performs at "Tunesmithing" in Nashville

         Music-wise, Whiting has previously released the Christmas book and CD, "The Littlest Star: a musical story." The song hit the Top 100 on various charts, landing radio airplay around the world. Performers on the project include Nashville Chamber violinist Conni Ellisor, country star Margo Smith, and Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist Denny Jiosa. Chuck also runs a monthly songwriters night in Nashville called "Tunesmithing." His arts blog, Music City Arts Update, provides insights on arts happenings in Middle Tennessee. Follow Chuck Whiting on Facebook @ChuckWhitingMusic or on Twitter @ChuckWhiting

Gail McDaniel to Return to Nashville in November 2018 for Watercolor Painting Workshop

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (2018) -- Award-winning artist/instructor Gail McDaniel will return to Nashville this fall to teach a new three-day watercolor painting workshop.

            "Watercolor Underpainting/Eight Unique Applications" will be offered to beginning, intermediate and advanced artists from Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2018 at Plaza Artist Materials, 633 Middleton St. in downtown Nashville. Sessions will occur from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.

            The artist/instructor will show attendees eight unique techniques to create exciting underpaintings that feature areas of sparkling whites. The course is structured to serve artists at all skill levels, from the very raw beginner to the most advanced. McDaniel will close each session with individual critiques.

            "With this process, you, to some extent, must let the medium dictate the direction you will take," said McDaniel, who now teaches and paints near Griffin, Georgia, south of Atlanta.

Former Franklin/Nashville artist/instructor Gail McDaniel (Photo by Ken McDaniel)

            Because space is limited for the workshop, reservations are required. Tuition is $175 for all three days of training. Attendees are eligible to receive a 30 percent discount on the purchase of art supplies from Plaza Artist Materials. For more information or to register, contact the artist by phone at (678) 603-1502 or send an inquiry to gail@gailmcdanielart.com. Individuals can learn more about the artist/instructor and view her artwork at http://www.GailMcDanielArt.com and follow her at http://www.Facebook.com/GailMcDanielArt and http://www.Twitter.com/GailMcDanielArt.

            "Gail can get more color out of watercolor than you can imagine," said Bev Silsby, an artist/student in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who helped host McDaniel for a similar workshop in 2005. "She is literal, impressionist and abstract."

            McDaniel is an acclaimed watercolorist who, by invitation, has served as an associate member and demonstrating artist/instructor for the prestigious Winsor & Newton Creative Artist Network of London. She was commissioned to create four program covers for Griffin (Ga.) Choral Arts' 10th anniversary concert season. Before moving to Georgia, McDaniel spent more than 20 years working as a professional watercolorist and art instructor in Nashville and Brentwood, Tennessee. During that time, she taught more than 1,400 students in classes and workshops around the world. A number of her former students have developed into professional artists with exhibitions and commissions.

Gail McDaniel works with students during a watercolor painting workshop in Nashville (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

            "Like me, others love the look of watercolor paintings and want to learn the medium," said the artist, who painted the invitation cover for "A Little Night of Music" starring country superstar LeAnn Rimes. "Many come for the change of pace and the new, wonderful, relaxing challenge it brings. The intermediate and advanced students come to me to grow in the medium."

            McDaniel will demonstrate the techniques, shortcuts and concepts that she has developed or learned by doing, reading or studying with others. She plans to show her students everything she knows, holding nothing back. Her goal is to inspire them without making them feel overwhelmed.

            During her career, McDaniel has trained artists from 36 different states (including Alaska and Hawaii), the District of Columbia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and South Korea. She has taught 11 workshops at historic Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, a landmark where the late Georgia O’Keefe lived and painted. She also served as a member of the arts faculty of Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art.

"Bubbles" by Gail McDaniel

            In 2002, she and her husband, Ken, launched the "Students and Friends of Gail McDaniel Awards", raising almost $90,000 for Middle Tennessee public schools. The fundraising effort earned Gail and Ken a nomination in the "volunteer innovator" category of the 2009 Mary Catherine Strobel Award. In 2012, the artist was named the PENCIL Foundation's "Volunteer of the Year".

            Before leaving Tennessee, she received an award for "Excellence in Community Service" from the Travelers Rest Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was inducted into the Cave City, Ky., Hall of Fame and named (as an eighth generation Kentuckian) to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels as one of  "Kentucky's ambassadors of good will and fellowship around the world."

            In 2001, she was invited by directors of the "Art in Provence" program to conduct an eight-day watercolor workshop in Dieulefit, France. She also has taught in Central America, South America and Canada. She studied under 38 noted art instructors to help build her reputation as one of the South's top artists/instructors. -- even accepting a commission to paint a family landmark for former Kentucky Gov. Louie B. Nunn.

            Gail McDaniel's artwork was featured on the program covers of four major concerts in 2016-17 performed by The Griffin (Georgia) Choral Arts group. The choir, which is led by Artistic Director Dr. Stephen J. Mulder, is celebrating its 11th anniversary season.

            For more information about Gail McDaniel or to see her work, visit www.GailMcDanielArt.com.

Heritage Church in Fayetteville, Georgia, to Host Watercolor Painting Course

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (July 2018) -- Award-winning artist/instructor Gail McDaniel will teach a new eight-week watercolor painting course 22 miles south of Atlanta in the Peachtree City/Fayetteville area this summer/fall.

            The course will be offered to beginning, intermediate and advanced artists on selected Thursdays starting July 26, 2018 at Heritage Christian Church, 2130 Redwine Road in Fayetteville. Sessions will occur from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on July 26; Aug. 2, 9 and 16; and Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27. The class will not meet on Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.

            The artist/instructor will provide insights on composition, value, color theory and application. She also will demonstrate some of the techniques that have helped make her an award-winning artist, including abstract under paintings, disappearing purples, painting on Masa Paper, white on white, monotype paintings, let it flow, texturize your paintings, portraits, reflective surfaces, and wax-resist Batik. The course is structured to serve artists at all skill levels, from the very raw beginner to the most advanced. McDaniel will close each session with individual critiques.

Award-winning artist/instructor Gail McDaniel

            Because space is limited for the classes, reservations are required. Tuition is $165 for eight class sessions. For more information or to register, contact the artist by phone at (678) 603-1502 or send an inquiry to gail@gailmcdanielart.com. Individuals can learn more about the artist/instructor and view her artwork at http://www.GailMcDanielArt.com and follow her at http://www.Facebook.com/GailMcDanielArt and http://www.Twitter.com/GailMcDanielArt.

            McDaniel is an acclaimed watercolorist who, by invitation, has served as an associate member and demonstrating artist/instructor for the prestigious Winsor & Newton Creative Artist Network of London. She was commissioned to create four program covers for Griffin (Ga.) Choral Arts' 10th anniversary concert season. Before moving to Georgia, McDaniel spent more than 20 years working as a professional watercolorist and art instructor in Nashville and Brentwood, Tenn. During that time, she taught more than 1,400 students in classes and workshops around the world. A number of her former students have developed into professional artists with exhibitions and commissions.

            "Like me, others love the look of watercolor paintings and want to learn the medium," said the artist, who painted the invitation cover for "A Little Night of Music" starring country superstar LeAnn Rimes. "Many come for the change of pace and the new, wonderful, relaxing challenge it brings. The intermediate and advanced students come to me to grow in the medium."

"Swan Song" by Gail McDaniel

 
            Over the years, McDaniel has seen the positive change that comes over many people when they spend three hours with her, creatively thinking from the right side of their brain.

            "It's truly a night-and-day change, not to mention the fun they have," McDaniel added. "Many who come to me with no art background find they really have a true talent for painting. Some of them never had the slightest notion they had any talent. It's such an outstanding reward for them and a source of real pleasure for me."

            A good example is Phyllis Tatum, a watercolorist who studied with McDaniel for 14 years in Middle Tennessee. She and her fellow students were thrilled when she won four blue ribbons and a red ribbon at the Tennessee State Fair. Her crowing achievement came later when she won the fair's "Best of Show", a rare occurrence in watercolor circles.

            McDaniel fondly remembers receiving a thank you note from former student Suzy Foy of Boulder, Colo., who wrote, "My whole life I have dreamt about being an artist... I never believed I could live that dream, one painting at a time. Because of my nine workshops, mentoring and support (from McDaniel), it is happening."

            "One of the obvious results of classes is the togetherness that comes upon the group," McDaniel noted. "Friendships develop, and with that interest in each other's lives and the happenings and events in their world. The group watches children grow up, grandchildren being born, and members die. The group celebrates the joys together, as well as the sad times, giving special support. Sometimes, our paintings reflect those experiences."

            The classes near Atlanta should be no exception. McDaniel will demonstrate the techniques, shortcuts and concepts that she has developed or learned by doing, reading or studying with others. She plans to show her students everything she knows, holding nothing back. Her goal is to inspire them without making them feel overwhelmed.

            During her career, McDaniel has trained artists from 36 different states (including Alaska and Hawaii), the District of Columbia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and South Korea. She has taught 11 workshops at historic Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, a landmark where the late Georgia O’Keefe lived and painted. She also served as a member of the arts faculty of Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art.

            In 2002, she and her husband, Ken, launched the "Students and Friends of Gail McDaniel Awards", raising almost $90,000 for Middle Tennessee public schools. The fundraising effort earned Gail and Ken a nomination in the "volunteer innovator" category of the 2009 Mary Catherine Strobel Award. In 2012, the artist was named the PENCIL Foundation's "Volunteer of the Year".

            Before leaving Tennessee, she received an award for "Excellence in Community Service" from the Travelers Rest Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was inducted into the Cave City, Ky., Hall of Fame and named (as an eighth generation Kentuckian) to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels as one of  "Kentucky's ambassadors of good will and fellowship around the world."

            In 2001, she was invited by directors of the "Art in Provence" program to conduct an eight-day watercolor workshop in Dieulefit, France. She also has taught in Central America, South America, and Canada. She studied under 38 noted art instructors to help build her reputation as one of the South's top artists/instructors. -- even accepting a commission to paint a family landmark for former Kentucky Gov. Louie B. Nunn.

            Gail McDaniel's artwork was featured on the program covers of four major concerts in 2016-17 performed by The Griffin Choral Arts group. The choir, which is led by Artistic Director Dr. Stephen J. Mulder, is celebrating its 11th anniversary season.

            For more information about Gail McDaniel or to see her work, visit www.GailMcDanielArt.com.

 

Gail McDaniel to Lead Watercolor Painting Course This Summer/Fall in Griffin, Georgia

            GRIFFIN, Ga. (July 2018) -- Gail McDaniel, an acclaimed watercolor artist/instructor who, by invitation, has served as an associate member and demonstrating artist/instructor of the prestigious Winsor & Newton Creative Artist Network of London, will lead an eight-week watercolor painting course this summer/fall in Griffin, Georgia, near Atlanta.

            The course will be offered to beginning, intermediate and advanced artists on selected Wednesday afternoons starting Aug. 1, 2018 at Griffin First United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple Drive. Sessions will occur from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 1, 8 and 15; Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26; and Oct. 3.

            McDaniel will provide invaluable insights on composition, value, color theory and application. She also will demonstrate some of the techniques that have helped make her an award-winning artist, including abstract under paintings, disappearing purples, painting on Masa Paper, white on white, monotype paintings, let it flow, texturize your paintings, portraits, reflective surfaces, and wax-resist Batik. The course is structured to serve artists at all skill levels, from the very raw beginner to the most advanced. McDaniel will close each session with individual critiques.

Award-winning artist/instructor Gail McDaniel

            Because space is limited for the classes, reservations are required. Tuition is $165 for eight class sessions. For more information or to register, contact the artist by phone at (678) 603-1502 or send an inquiry to gail@gailmcdanielart.com. Individuals can learn more about the artist/instructor and view her artwork at http://www.GailMcDanielArt.com and follow her at http://www.Facebook.com/GailMcDanielArt or http://www.Twitter.com/GailMcDanielArt.

            "Participants are encouraged to paint their own choice of subject matter, in their own style, at their own speed, all the while being challenged to work out of their comfort zone and having fun along the way," said McDaniel, who was commissioned to create four program covers for Griffin Choral Arts' 10th anniversary concert season. "My classes provide opportunities for artists to develop their skills and find success.

            Before moving to Georgia, McDaniel spent more than 20 years working as a professional watercolorist and art instructor in Nashville and Brentwood, Tenn. During that time, she taught more than 1,400 students in classes and workshops around the world while raising almost $90,000 for student arts supplies through the "Students and Friends of Gail McDaniel Awards".

"Entrance Island Lighthouse" by Gail McDaniel

            "The Griffin area has a host of artists, so it's the ideal community to teach classes," McDaniel added. "I'll be demonstrating the techniques, shortcuts and concepts that I have developed or learned by doing, reading or studying with others. I show my students everything I know, holding nothing back. My goal is to inspire them without making them feel overwhelmed."

            During her career, McDaniel has trained artists from 36 different states (including Alaska and Hawaii), the District of Columbia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and South Korea. She has taught 11 workshops at historic Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, a landmark where Georgia O’Keefe lived and painted.

            In 2002, she and her husband, Ken, launched the "Students and Friends of Gail McDaniel Awards. The fundraising effort earned Gail and Ken a nomination in the "volunteer innovator" category of the 2009 Mary Catherine Strobel Award. In 2012, the artist was named the PENCIL Foundation's "Volunteer of the Year".

            The couple also hosted fundraising events such as the "Chase Away The Blahs Party Artistically" benefiting school children in their Franklin, Tenn., home and the "Building Bridges Through Art" exhibition at CharacterEYES Boutique in Franklin, Tenn., benefiting Bridges Domestic Violence Center.

            Before leaving Tennessee, she received an award for "Excellence in Community Service" from the Travelers Rest Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was inducted into the Cave City, Ky., Hall of Fame and named (as an eighth generation Kentuckian) to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels as one of  "Kentucky's ambassadors of good will and fellowship around the world."

            McDaniel gained international notoriety in 2001 when she was named an associate member of the Winsor & Newton Creative Artist Network in London, England, and invited by directors of the "Art in Provence" program to conduct an eight-day watercolor workshop in Dieulefit, France. She also has taught in Central America, South America, and Canada. She studied under 38 noted art instructors to help build her reputation as one of the South's top artists/instructors. -- even accepting a commission to paint a family landmark for former Kentucky Gov. Louie B. Nunn.

            Other commissions have included painting the invitation cover for "A Little Night of Music" starring country superstar LeAnn Rimes; 13 pieces for the annual Nashville Scene N-Focus social calendar; and a promotional streetscape of four homes for Newmark Homes and five other paintings for the Nashville Home Builders Association/SunTrust Bank 2001 "Parade of Homes."

            The artist has showcased her original paintings at 56 solo exhibitions. She also has served as a member of the arts faculty of Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art in Nashville, teaching weekly art classes. She created and painted the design for the theme poster and t-shirt for the Nashville Symphony’s "Italian Street Fair" two years in a row.

            Gail McDaniel's artwork was featured on the program covers of four major concerts in 2016-17 performed by The Griffin Choral Arts group. The choir, which is led by Artistic Director Dr. Stephen J. Mulder, is celebrating its 11th anniversary season.

            "Griffin has a wonderful arts community, and I'm delighted to contribute," McDaniel said.

            For more information about Gail McDaniel or to see her work, visit www.GailMcDanielArt.com.