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

Americana Fest to Stage 16th Annual Honors & Awards Show at Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 13

     NASHVILLE -- Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller will be returning as hosts for the 16th annual Americana Fest Honors & Awards Show at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

     The Americana All-Star Band will feature Larry Campbell, Robbie Crowell, Jim Hoke, Jerry Pentecost, Chris Wood and the McCrary Sisters.

     Check out the entire festival schedule at http://americanamusic.org/2017-schedule 

     Here's a list of this year's awards show performers:

Billy Bragg
Brent Cobb
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Rodney Crowell
Iris DeMent
Drive-By Truckers
Rhiannon Giddens
Joe Henry
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Jason Isbell
The Lumineers
Lori McKenna
Van Morrison
Graham Nash
Old Crow Medicine Show
Sam Outlaw
Margo Price
John Prine
Amanda Shires
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
Aaron Lee Tasjan
 
     A live video stream of the 2017 Honors & Awards show will be webcast via www.NPRMusic.org starting at 6:30pm. A live audio simulcast of the show will also be available via SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country, and on Nashville area terrestrial radio stations: WRLT (100.1 FM), WSM (650 AM) and WMOT (89.5 FM).

     Individuals can catch performance highlights on Austin City Limits for a special broadcast to air on Nov. 19 on PBS.

     Tickets for the 16th annual Americana Honors & Awards are made available for purchase with an AMERICANAFEST℠ conference registration. To buy tickets or learn more about the festival, visit http://americanamusic.org/buy-your-pass.

 

Jazz-Americana Artist Bryan Cumming Releases New Jazz CD

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 2017) -- Bryan Cumming, a jazz-Americana artist who has recorded with popular acts such as Al Jarreau and The Pointer Sisters, has released a new CD that pays tribute to the classic songs and legendary jazz artists of the Silent Generation.

            "Come Out Swinging" celebrates the spirit of swing with a lively mix of traditional jazz classics and originals. Highlights include covers of standards written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, and Irving Berlin. The album, which was recorded at Java Jive Studio in Nashville, features Kelli Cox on keyboards, Adam Mormolstein on drums, and John Vogt on bass.

            "I grew up listening to the music my father loved, including recordings by jazz artists such as Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Glen Miller," said Cumming, who also performs as a member of the Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles. "As my music career has developed, I've found myself gravitating toward swing. It has a life-affirming tempo that expresses optimism, enthusiasm and energy. I hope my new album will inspire motion, inviting dancers to sway together, bounce, and enjoy the moment, just like in my daddy's day."

Bryan Cumming (Photo by Johnathan Pushkar)

            "Come Out Swinging" is available at major online retailers including CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon. To download, order or hear tracks from the album, visit http://www.CDBaby.com/CD/BryanCumming2 or https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/come-out-swinging/id1206565869 .

            Among the covers are "Sunny Side of the Street," a standard recorded by Tommy Dorsey and The Sentimentalists in 1944. Other covers include "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "It Had to Be You," and "Blue Skies."

            The album's title track, "Come Out Swinging," swings to life with the sounds and lyrical images of the '30s, '40s and '50s.

            "I wrote the song in 2008 to honor the classic swing music I learned from my parents," said Cumming. "'Come Out Swinging' is a nostalgic look at yesterday. It is presented as an imaginary epiphany,
where the singer hears the phone ring and mysteriously hears the sounds of old swing tunes. He gets inspired and preaches the message 'it's time to play' to his listeners."

            According to music critic Chuck Davis, '"Come Out Swinging' is a fluent expression of a musical maturing... delivering swing-inspired original tunes for his father's generation and re-distributing 'that thing called swing' to the next generation."

            Cumming is receiving positive reviews from top music industry professionals.

            Hit songwriter and author Jason Blume says the project "offers a refreshing blend of original and traditional swing tunes that are both fun and exhilarating."

            "Honest and unflashy singing with wit and joy, and refreshingly relaxed playing makes these songs well worth hearing," raves Nashville musician William "Tiger" Fitzhugh.

            "Veteran musician Bryan Cumming has come up with a very good album that should appeal to the same audience as Steve Tyrell, with Cumming's charming vocals and the added attraction of his Sidney Bechet-influenced soprano sax playing, along with a solid combo," notes hit songwriter Billy Vera.

            Harry Stinson of the Marty Stuart "Fabulous Superlatives" praises Cumming's project for its "tight arrangements, innovative solos, and finger-snapping right-in the pocket rhythms."

Bryan celebrates with fellow musicians Kelli Cox, Adam Mormolstein and John Vogt (Photo by Chuck Whiting)

            A Georgia native, Bryan Cumming grew up in a musical family playing Dixieland and classic jazz and singing harmony on Beatles songs. After serving a year in the U.S. Army playing saxophone, he toured and recorded with Martin Mull. He moved to Los Angeles in 1976, playing sax on sessions with artists such as Al Jarreau, The Pointer Sisters, Maria Muldaur, Al Hirt, and The Ohio Players. He later joined Billy Vera and The Beaters, performing at the Tokyo Music Festival and on the number one single "At This Moment". He performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as a member of the Los Angeles Jazz Choir. He toured Japan and South America with David Soul, and toured four years as the lead guitarist for ShaNaNa.

            Since moving to Nashville in 1988, he has performed and/or recorded with artists such as K.T. Oslin, Cleve Francis, and the Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles. In 2009, The WannaBeatles received a Grammy nomination for the CD "Fab Fan Memories - The Beatles Bond." Cumming also produces and records artists at Studio 23 Nashville.

            For more information about Bryan Cumming and his new album, "Come Out Swinging," visit http://www.BryanCumming.com.

Bryan Cumming to 'Come Out Swinging' with Concert and Party on Feb. 17 in Nashville

Bryan Cumming to Celebrate Jazz Legends at 'Come Out Swinging' Concert in Nashville

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 2017) -- Jazz-Americana artist Bryan Cumming will celebrate the release of his new album, "Come Out Swinging," with a concert and CD signing from 6-10 p.m. on Feb. 17 (Friday) at World Music in Bellevue.

            Cumming, who has recorded with popular acts such as Al Jarreau and The Pointer Sisters, is launching his solo career by paying tribute to the classic songs and legendary jazz artists of the Silent Generation. Joining him on stage will be keyboardist Kelli Cox, drummer Adam Mormolstein, and bassist John Vogt. Admission is free; complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

            "I grew up listening to the music my father loved, including recordings by jazz artists such as Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Glen Miller," said Cumming, who also performs as a member of the Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles. "As my music career has developed, I've found myself gravitating toward swing. It has a life-affirming tempo that expresses optimism, enthusiasm and energy. I hope my new album will inspire motion, inviting dancers to sway together, bounce, and enjoy the moment, just like in my daddy's day."

             Cumming's 10-song project, which will be released on Feb. 17, will celebrate the spirit of swing with a lively mix of traditional jazz classics and originals. Highlights will include covers of standards written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, and Irving Berlin. The album was recorded at Java Jive Studio in Nashville.

            Among the covers will be "Sunny Side of the Street," a standard recorded by Tommy Dorsey and The Sentimentalists in 1944. Other covers will include "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "It Had to Be You," and "Blue Skies."

            The album's title track, "Come Out Swinging," swings to life with the sounds and lyrical images of the '30s, '40s and '50s. Jazz and Americana music fans can hear the preview single at https://soundcloud.com/bryan-cumming/come-out-swinging.

            "I wrote the song in 2008 to celebrate the timeless swing music I sang and played with my dad," said Cumming. "'Come Out Swinging' is a nostalgic look at yesterday. It is presented as an imaginary epiphany, where the singer hears the phone ring and mysteriously hears the sounds of old swing tunes. He gets inspired and preaches the message 'it's time to play' to his listeners."

            According to music critic Chuck Davis, '"Come Out Swinging' is a fluent expression of a musical maturing... delivering swing-inspired original tunes for his father's generation and re-distributing 'that thing called swing' to the next generation."

            A Georgia native, Bryan Cumming grew up in a musical family playing Dixieland and classic jazz and singing harmony on Beatles songs. After serving a year in the U.S. Army playing saxophone, he toured and recorded with Martin Mull. He moved to Los Angeles in 1976, playing sax on sessions with artists such as Al Jarreau, The Pointer Sisters, Maria Muldaur, Al Hirt, and The Ohio Players. He later joined Billy Vera and The Beaters, performing at the Tokyo Music Festival and on the number one single "At This Moment". He performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as a member of the Los Angeles Jazz Choir. He toured Japan and South America with David Soul, and toured four years as the lead guitarist for ShaNaNa.

            Since moving to Nashville in 1988, he has performed and/or recorded with artists such as K.T. Oslin, Cleve Francis, and the Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles. In 2009, The WannaBeatles received a Grammy nomination for the CD "Fab Fan Memories - The Beatles Bond." Cumming also produces and records artists at Studio 23, a production company he founded in Nashville.

            For more information about Bryan Cumming and his new album, "Come Out Swinging", visit http://www.BryanCumming.com. World Music is located at 7069 Highway 70 S. in Bellevue (at Old Hickory Boulevard).

Bryan Cumming to Celebrate New Jazz Album on Feb. 17 with Nashville Concert

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 2017) -- Jazz-Americana artist Bryan Cumming will celebrate the release of his new album, "Come Out Swinging", with a concert and CD signing from 6-10 p.m. Feb. 17 (Friday) at World Music, 7069 U.S. Highway 70 S. in Bellevue. 

            Cumming will be joined on stage by drummer Adam Mormolstein, keyboardist Kelli Cox, and bassist John Vogt. Cumming's 10-song project celebrates the spirit of swing with a lively mix of traditional jazz classics and originals. Highlights include covers of standards written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh, and Irving Berlin.

            "I’ve always gravitated toward optimism, enthusiasm, energy, and music that conveys those qualities," said Cumming, who has performed with popular acts such as Al Jarreau, The Pointer Sisters, Al Hirt, K.T. Oslin, and The WannaBeatles. "Swing is a life-affirming tempo. It inspires motion, invites dancers to sway together, bounce, and enjoy the moment." 

            Among the covers is "Sunny Side of the Street", a standard recorded by Tommy Dorsey and The Sentimentalists in 1944. 

            Admission to the Bryan Cumming concert on Feb. 17 is free; complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided. For more information about Bryan Cumming and his new album, "Come Out Swinging", visit http://www.BryanCumming.com.

Jazz-Americana Artist Bryan Cumming Releases Preview Single for Upcoming Album 'Come Out Swinging'

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 2017) -- Jazz-Americana artist Bryan Cumming has released a preview single for an upcoming album that pays tribute to the classic songs and legendary artists of the Silent Generation.

            The album's title track, "Come Out Swinging," swings to life with the sounds and lyrical images of the '30s, '40s and '50s. Cumming recorded the song at Java Jive Studio in Nashville with drummer Adam Mormolstein, pianist Kelli Cox, and bassist John Vogt. Jazz and Americana music fans can hear the song at https://soundcloud.com/bryan-cumming/come-out-swinging.

            "I wrote the song in 2008 to celebrate the timeless swing music from back in my daddy's day," said Cumming, who is launching his solo career after recording with popular acts such as Al Jarreau, Al Hirt, and The Pointer Sisters. "'Come Out Swinging' is presented as an imaginary epiphany, where the singer hears the phone ring and mysteriously hears the sounds of old swing tunes. He gets inspired and preaches the message 'it's time to play' to his listeners."

            Cumming's 10-song project, which will be released on Feb. 17, will celebrate the spirit of swing with a lively mix of traditional jazz classics and originals. Highlights will include covers of standards written and/or performed by legendary artists such as Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, and Irving Berlin.

            Among the covers will be "Sunny Side of the Street," a standard recorded by Tommy Dorsey and The Sentimentalists in 1944.

Bryan Cumming (left) records "Come Out Swinging" with fellow artists (clockwise) pianist Kelli Cox, bassist John Vogt, and drummer Adam Mormolstein. (Photo by Ashley Green)

            According to music critic Chuck Davis, '"Come Out Swinging' is a fluent expression of a musical maturing... delivering swing-inspired original tunes for his father's generation and re-distributing 'that thing called swing' to the next generation."

            Cumming also is a member of the popular Beatles tribute band The WannaBeatles. The Nashville act received a Grammy nomination for its album "Fab Fan Memories" in 2011.

            The artist will celebrate the release of "Come Out Swinging" with a concert and CD signing at World Music in Nashville on Feb. 17.

            For more information about Bryan Cumming and his new single and upcoming album, "Come Out Swinging", visit http://www.BryanCumming.com or write the artist at Bryan@BryanCumming.com.

Nancy Moran's 'Ultimate Booking and Touring' Training Program to Begin June 10

 
         NASHVILLE -- Hit singer/songwriter/educator Nancy Moran will offer her "Ultimate Booking and Touring" online training program starting June 10.  

         Moran's popular, four-week, in-depth program is aimed at performing musicians who want to have more (and better-quality) gigs through expert booking techniques. It’s very detailed and hands-on, and she walks artists through the entire process of professionally booking gigs and tours. Students have reported career-altering results from what they learned in the program.

         "In my five-week-long, in-depth online program, I'm going to walk performing musicians through the entire process of booking gigs and planning tours," said Moran, a former member of the popular group The Bitchin' Babes. "I'm truly going to share everything I can think of to help artists book better gigs and to get them out on the road sharing their music with the world."

         The "Ultimate Booking and Touring" training process will show artists how to

         * Prepare for their first on-the-road gig.

         * Expand into new towns, new venues or even brand new music markets.

         * Land bigger, better and more lucrative gigs (to be able to quit their day jobs).

         *  Overcome the self-booking blues.

         Participants will receive five weeks of step-by-step guidance and in-depth instruction. Video, audio and written lessons will be delivered online and available for Mp3 download onto iPods, Mp3 players and other mobile devices. Artists can also download a host of worksheets, sample scripts, and sample contracts. They will receive personal attention during live group Q&A phone calls. Conference calls will be recorded for 24-hour access. A private group Facebook forum will provide additional insights and student interaction. Participants will have lifetime access to all educational materials.

         Tuition for the "Ultimate Touring and Booking" class is only $397. To sign up, click here.

         Moran is a working indie recording artist who performs at notable venues such as The Bluebird Cafe, house concerts such as Rouse House, and festivals such Kerrville Folk Festival. Declared "Songwriter of the Year" by the Virginia Sound Achievement awards and WXGI-FM Radio, she has released four solo albums, including her most recent "Something Old, Something New".

         The artist's CDs have garnered her public and commercial radio airplay on stations coast-to-coast and have landed her on the Gavin Americana charts alongside Delbert McClinton and Joan Baez. She also has been featured internationally on radio stations in Australia, Canada and Europe. 

         The Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch called Moran "nothing short of a [modern-day] Joni Mitchell". Dirty Linen Magazine says Nancy has "a powerful, expressive voice...stunning."

         Moran is a former member of the acclaimed all-female folk troupe, The Four Bitchin' Babes. She also is a frequent keynote speaker at music conferences and events, an NSAI-endorsed music business instructor, a SongU.com online instructor, the former assistant editor of American Songwriter Magazine and the author of several books, audio series, and live or online courses including, “The Songwriter’s Survival Kit,” “The Professional Songwriter’s Code of Conduct,” "Ultimate Booking and Touring", and “Making and Releasing Your Own CD.”

        
        

Sir Paul McCartney Presents Award to Nashville Singer/Songwriter/Educator Suzahn Fiering

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

          NASHVILLE, Tenn. (2014) – When it comes to success in the arts, Nashville singer/songwriter/educator Suzahn Fiering has done it all -- performing on stages around the world, landing songs on popular TV shows, and working with legendary artists such as Vince Gill, Larry Gatlin, Pete Seeger and Victor Wooten.

            She stepped to even greater career heights on July 31 when she received the "Honored Friend Award" from the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. LIPA founder Sir Paul McCartney presented the honor to Fiering during a star-studded graduation ceremony in Liverpool, England, attended by students, staff and other award recipients from around the world. Nashville's "jazz diva" delivered a poignant and humor-laced speech to the students and attendees as part of the celebration recognizing her contributions to the school as an educator, organizer and fundraiser. Fiering co-hosted fundraising events with McCartney at "Bonnaroo 2013" and Nationals Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Sir Paul McCartney congratulates Suzahn Fiering
 onstage during the LIPA ceremony

             The internationally known jazz/folk/Americana vocalist, professional songwriter and guitarist celebrated the award with a month-long European tour that included stops in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland and Denmark. She will stage a "mini-Beatlefest" concert/party/jam after she returns to Nashville in late October or early November.

            Fiering first learned about LIPA several years ago when she served as the international events manager for Gibson Musical Instruments. Through her efforts, the company funded the "John Lennon Scholarship" and donated guitars and other instruments. With Gibson on board, she was able to facilitate partnerships with other major music manufacturers and organizations. The artist now serves at LIPA as a regular guest instructor and Nashville liaison, booking celebrity and music industry leaders for master classes.

            "I never would be receiving this award had I not followed my heart," said Fiering, a Warner/Chappell Music tunesmith whose songs have aired on radio in more than 41 countries, on more than 20 network TV shows, and in numerous independent films. "I was very impressed by the clear, clever and progressive vision Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty, the dean and CEO, had for the school. It is an honor to receive this award from an institution and men who embody my core beliefs. "

            Fiering's affiliation with LIPA has given her the opportunity to work closely with McCartney, an artist she considers to be the "greatest living songwriter".

            "At 'Bonnaroo', my job was to take Sir Paul's arm, walk him around, and introduce him to backstage guests who made donations to LIPA," Fiering added with a smile. "It was incredible and Paul was great to work with. During Paul’s show we danced, partied and carried on backstage for more than three hours. Paul later told me it was one of his favorite stops on the tour."

            Another more comical experience occurred during a VIP graduation party in Liverpool. Fiering found herself standing in a circle with Sir Paul and three awkward looking, tied-and-coated English gentlemen. After being introduced, the men started mumbling and looking down at their shoes. In her typical happy-go-lucky manner, Fiering broke the ice, asking the pop legend why he played the ukulele on his rendition of "Something" during his world tour.

            "Paul swung around and directly faced me," the Nashville artist continued with a laugh. "His eyes got really big, his voice rose in pitch, and in an animated way he said, his Liverpool accent getting stronger as he went, 'Well, ya know, Georgie wrote it that way, and I said to him, we should play it like an anthem-y type ballad. And so we did.' He was silent and introspective for a few seconds, and I could see melancholy in his expression. Then he piped up again and said, 'I hear you play jazz guitar. You should play jazz ukulele.' I smiled and told him that was a good suggestion. Needless to say, I now play jazz ukulele and even play a few Beatles songs on it."

            Fiering launched her celebratory tour at the legendary Fredericks On Hope Street on July 29 with an honorary performance with Parr Jazz and the Geni Lamb Band for LIPA students, staff members and friends. Other stops included the "La Rouche Bluegrass Festival" in France from Aug. 1-3; Grotto Mai Morire in Avegno, Switzerland, on Aug. 5; Talmassons, Italy (as a guest of the mayor) on Aug. 10; and Odiles Gibsons’ (grand niece of Charles De Gaulle) Concert Series in Toulouse, France, on Aug. 23. She plans to share more Sir Paul memories after she returns home.

            During her LIPA master classes, she shines a spotlight on the commercial facets of her art. She shares insights on the skills students will need after they graduate. Although the artist is often serious, she presents her thoughts in a humorous and accessible way, touching on topics such as marketing and interpersonal skills. She emphasizes the importance of diversity in the marketplace by performing jazz and Americana numbers on her guitar.

            When it comes to teaching, Fiering has many career-related stories to tell. She begins by taking her audiences back to her formative years in New York City, where she first discovered her love of music and later trained as an audio engineer. After freelancing in recording studios while running nightclubs in between, she landed a job with RCA and BMG.

            "When you're working for a label, it's all about one thing: sales, marketing and PR," Fiering said. Record labels have a bottom line, and their goal is to meet it. It is not art. It is a business."

            After joining MCA Music, she was transferred to the label's office in Nashville. She performed countless shows and began penning songs for Warner/Chappell, eventually collaborating with legendary engineer and producer Richard Adler on her highly successful jazz/Americana album, "Paris Without His Kiss".

            "It was Richard who convinced me to become an international touring artist," Fiering added. "I thought I was happy as a corporate person. I was playing jazz on the weekends, but in reality a full-time performer, songwriter and educator is what I always wanted to be. Nashville was a turning point for me."

            Her students also hear how she has emerged as a professional songwriter, earning credits that include TV shows such as "Oprah", "Desperate Housewives", and "Coyote Ugly". Other Suzahn Fiering songs can be heard on programs aired by networks such as Disney and National Geographic. She even has four songs at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington as part of a permanent collection of contemporary songwriting and two songs in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

            Fiering loves to share her collaborative experiences with Roger Daltry, Sean Lennon, Julian Lennon, Reba McIntyre, Ashley Judd, former Vice President Al Gore, and so many others. One of her favorite experiences was dining out with Gloria Steinem in Manhattan.

            "My students make me a better songwriter and teacher,” Fiering noted.  LIPA offers them a state-of-the-art facility in all disciplines of the performing arts with encouraging instructors who constantly challenge them. It's a safe place to try new things, and students blossom beyond their wildest dreams."

            A critic for The Birmingham (England) Post summed up the artist's musical talents this way: "An accomplished composer and guitarist, Suzahn's writing style is influenced by blues, R&B, and pop -- although traditional jazz runs throughout like molten steel... and she can scat with the best of them."

            Back home in Music City, four-time Grammy-winning producer Richard Adler wrote that "Suzahn is a wonderful teller of stories through song and a great guitar player with a rich and colorful voice. Her ability to write and play in so many styles so well is a sight to behold."

            LIPA's students, faculty and supporters know her best as an "honored friend" who has made significant contributions to their careers.

           To learn more about Suzahn Fiering or to book her for musical or educational opportunities, visit www.Suzahn.com .