Americana Artist Chakra Bleu Releases New Reggae Single to Help Heal a Divided World

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2015) – Americana artist Chakra Bleu is using a new Reggae single to encourage Americans to unify peacefully to help solve important issues related to equality and justice.

            Although she usually shies away from politics in her music, the artist said she feels a sense of urgency in sharing her song, "We Shall Overcome", with people from all walks of life. The tune calls people to use love and acceptance of one another to help heal a divided world. It will be featured on an upcoming album to be released July 29.

            "The overall vibe of 'We Shall Overcome' is upbeat, inspiring and empowering in the Reggae genre," said Bleu, whose last single hit number one on various Americana record charts. "This genre is welcoming of just hanging out where you are, whomever you are, with the intent of all of us coming together heart, soul and mind."

            To listen to "We Shall Overcome," visit https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/we-shall-overcome-single/id1117175136 or http://www.chakrableu.com/music/.

            The artist added that the song practically wrote itself. She intuitively chose the key of A-Major to help brighten a passionate lyrical message that promotes positive change through the love and acceptance of one another. By dedicating a single to social causes, Bleu follows in the footsteps of legendary artists such as Bob Marley, Pete Seegar, John Lennon and Joni Mitchell. She said she hopes the song can be used by non-profit organizations to help inspire true equality and justice for all races, genders, immigrants and sexual identities.

            "My song asks the listener to consider his or her own dignity and encourages the dignity of all others through peaceful measures," Bleu noted. "It calls us to speak out, stay involved and informed, vote, and expect total equality for humanity as a whole."

            "We Shall Overcome", which was recorded in Nashville, features an infectious, sing-along chorus.

            "We shall overcome and lead the way... We won't bow down to fear and hate... We shall overcome and lead the way... Our voice won't be choked another day... We'll raise our hands... We've only just begun... Yes we can... We shall overcome."

            "The song speaks out against violence and hate crimes, as well as social-economic issues such as guaranteeing fair voting rights, raising the minimum wage, offering more affordable housing, and improving access to higher education," Bleu continued. "I believe my favorite line is 'only cowards choose to intimidate'."

            Born and raised in Spokane, Wash., Bleu grew up with a passion for music and the outdoors. Her music accomplishments have been substantial since then. The rock/pop tune "All of Me" hit number one on New Music Weekly's Top 40 Indie Chart, while climbing into the top 10 on the NMW mainstream Top 40 and Hot 100 singles charts. Another recent single, "The Shadow", quickly climbed various NMW charts, reaching number four on Top 40, number four on Hot 100 A/C, number five on Top 40 Internet, and number one on Indie Top 40 (where it remained for six consecutive weeks). Her sixth album, "Souvenir", generated five top-40 hit singles on various charts, with the song "Addicted to You" receiving "Spotlight" recognition in Cashbox Magazine. Other hit singles from previous albums include "When I Hold Your Hand" and "Hopelessly in Love".

            For more information about Chakra Bleu or to hear her music, visit www.ChakraBleu.com. To book the artist for an upcoming event, send an e-mail message to 1746Records@chakrableu.com.     

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 .

Fans Can Meet Paul McCartney on June 14 at 'Bonnaroo' in Tennessee

           How would you like to meet Paul McCartney? What if it included a backstage pass at "Bonnaroo" on June 14 (Friday) with VIP tickets to the concert, a private meet-and-greet (with Paul), and access to the backstage party tent.

           All of the proceeds will support an international arts education charity and help fund renovations for the new John Lennon performing arts building in Liverpool, England. There's also an opportunity to get an engraved plaque in the new building! 

            If you're interested, please contact Suzahn at jazzizdiva@yahoo.com or call (615) 385-9349.  But do so ASAP! There is a small window of opportunity, and a limited number of fans can attend. Tickets are $2,500 ($2,000+ is tax deductible).


            See you at "Bonnaroo" (with Paul) on June 14!

MCAU: The Latest Nashville Area Arts News

***JULY 18 (Wednesday): 'TUNESMITHING OFF MUSIC ROW'...  The monthly songwriters show "Tunesmithing Off Music Row" will feature 10 songwriters at Taps in Hillsboro Village with performances by hit songwriter Casey Kelly; the Roots music duo LORENA with Diane King and Crystal Miller; singer-songwriter Susan Shann; and singer-songwriter Mike Mitchell.  Butterfly will read poetry during the opening segment, which features five performers (TBA). Learn more about "Tunesmithing" at http://www.Tunesmithing.com .  To sign up to perform for the "Opening Guest Segment", send an email inquiry to tunesmithing@earthlink.net . 


(Photo: Casey Kelly)


PUBLICIZE YOUR DREAM!... The annual "Publicizing Your Dream" PR workshop for artists and entrepreneurs will occur from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. July 28 (Saturday) at O Gallery at Marathon Village with a day of hands-on publicity training, followed by an artist-sharing event called "Arts On The Row".  The first 10 people to sign up will receive complimentary tours/Q&A sessions on July 27 at a news media operation and arts industry business/organization (TBA).  Many surprises are in store.  The seminar will be led by former newspaper reporter Chuck Whiting.  For information or to register, visit http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com or write PublicizingYourDream@earthlink.net .  (Scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for the full story.)

WATERCOLOR PAINTING CLASSES... Artist/instructor gail McDaniel's next round of watercolor painting classes will begin on July 31 in Brentwood and Aug. 1 in Nashville.  (See "Artist Resources")

CONGRATULATIONS TO... The WannaBeatles, who plan to release a new song and video honoring Betty White. (See "Congratulations to...")

NEW INSTRUMENTAL... Chuck Whiting, with the help of expert clarinetist Max Niederle, has released the new instrumental recording "Dreamer On The Prowl" on Shine Time Records.  You can listen to a clip of the tune at http://www.CDBaby.com/ChuckWhitingMaxNiederle .

ARTIST QUOTE FOR JUNE... "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."  -- John Lennon, songwriter 




***Check out the entire Music City Arts Update newsletter with photos and extra articles at http://www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com .