Maree McRae
Having worked as lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for one of the Rocky Mountain Region's most sought after acts, McRae took a solo creative venture and released the successful project I Won't Settle for Less. She quickly became recognized as a top notch singer/songwriter and her debut album quickly made its mark on the reputable National Gavin's Top 40 Americana Radio Chart, gaining her acclaim and top awards as an insightful and melodic singer songwriter. McRae was selected for the Ace Award winning TV show, “Alley Tracks”, as well as the top selling artist at the World MusicFest in Sweden. She was also chosen for the cover story of an industry favorite, Performance Magazine.
McRae's debut album features performances by Tim O'Brien, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who were recording their acoustic album in the same studio as McRae and happened to hear her project in the making. They then joined her on the powerful song, Homefields.
Due to a chronic illness with her young son, McRae was forced to stop touring early after her first release. She has now finished the highly anticipated Urgency, recorded in Nashville and set to release nationally August 3, 2009. After multi-platinum producer, Wyatt Easterling, heard McRae's new writing, he offered her an opportunity to record in Nashville with triple grammy engineer, Mark Capps. Producer Easterling was head of A&R for Atlantic Records and was a chief player in the signing of Keith Urban, Aaron Tipin, Michael Johnson and produced the multi-platinum album, Life's A Dance of John Michael Montgomery's. Easterling also worked alongside well known Miles Copeland (The Police, Sting).
The new disc's 12 originals maintain the truthful resonance that echoes a variety of styles from Americana/Folk Rock to Adult Contemporary. This album boasts a sterling assortment of world class players including Bonnie Raitt's longtime guitarist, George Marinelli, Alison Prestwood (Shawn Colvin, Jessica Simpson), John Gardner, (Jewell, Dixie Chicks) Catherine Marx (Alison Krause, Reba, Kelly Clarkson). The list goes on. Dan Dugmore adds his classic guitar and dobro, as he did for James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt during their hey days. Chances are you own an album on which he's performed on hits of the Pointer Sisters, Michael McDonald and Stevie Nicks. Linda Ronstadt, Martina McBride and Faith Hill also accompany McRae playing keyboards and guitar. National and International Radio and Touring to follow this highly anticipated August 2009 release.
McRae composed all tracks on this sensational project. Each tune stands strong and is worthy of “radio-hit” attention. The album is filled with her trademark, memorable melodies and lyrics from the soul. Urgency is her most intimate work yet, with the title cut examining the preciousness of each moment in life and the poignant universal theme of immortality. This soulful collection of works hold McRae's heartfelt voice front and center. The variety of moving styles and songs hold the listener's interest.
Because of the poignant universal message she creates in this feature song and title cut, “Urgency”, McRae was offered and accepted the role of International Music Ambassador for the Colon Cancer Awareness Foundation.
Urgency, Urgency
Stanton Lanier
Stanton Lanier’s passion is to offer “peace and rest in a hurried world.” A one-time chemist and financial planner, since 2004 he has been following his heart to make a positive difference in today’s music culture. He has released six albums, with his latest three produced by Will Ackerman, Grammy winning Founder of Windham Hill Records and producer of pianist George Winston’s early recordings. Stanton’s newest release “December Peace” won “2009 Best Holiday Album” in the ZMR Music Awards, the industry source for instrumental music genres.
The words “calming, soothing, and uplifting” have become a universal description by a global audience, whether listeners hear a song or experience a live concert performance with piano, inspirational stories and captivating visuals. Stanton’s love for piano began in Chapel Hill, North Carolina at the age of six. He wrote his first song at age fourteen while living in Milton, Florida. His signature style of lyrical, reflective melodies evolved from influences such as Bach, Billy Joel and Windham Hill. Will Ackerman says, “Stanton is among the finest composers and pianists on the contemporary scene...his music is filled with soaring inspiration and remarkable peace.” Stanton’s works have been heard across radio and television, including Music Choice’s “Soundscapes” cable music channel, Sirius-XM Satellite Radio’s “Spa” channel, Lifetime TV’s highest rated show “Army Wives,” The Weather Channel, NPR, Delilah and Solo Piano Radio.
In 2004 Stanton founded Music to Light the World, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which has a vision called Get Music Give Hope℠, where for every album purchased one album is donated to a cancer center or hospital offering hope and healing to patients. Stanton lives in Marietta, Georgia with his wife and two children. For music, video and more information please visit www.stantonlanier.com.
Peace, December Peace
"2009 Best Holiday Album” - ZMR Music Awards
Beau Davidson
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and heavily influenced by the music of Elvis Presley, Al Green, and Otis Redding, Beau Davidson writes and performs music reminiscent of the soulful inflections of “the Memphis sound.” Citing Elvis as a main source of inspiration, Beau has always been fascinated by the musical boundaries that Elvis transcended with simultaneous hits on the country, rhythm and blues, and rock ‘n’ roll charts, respectively. In Memphis, Beau began taking classical piano lessons at age four, but tried to squeeze in time to learn contemporary hits like “Great Balls of Fire.” Beau was soon winning regional talent competitions, competing as a finalist in The Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest- a contest graced by Elvis, Justin Timberlake and many other talents.
Beau then took his musical aspirations to new heights by attending Northwestern University’s prestigious School of Music in Chicago, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in vocal performance/opera and political science. At Northwestern, Beau appeared as “Danny Zuko” in Grease and as the leading man in many other productions. Although operatically trained, Beau simply could not relinquish his Memphis roots, writing original music that captured his own Memphis experience.
Rather than moving to New York to pursue a career on Broadway, Beau moved to Los Angeles where he guest starred on Days of Our Lives and Gilmore Girls. In between projects, Beau wrote music that he later released as a digital EP titled “The Good Hurt.” Beau's debut single, “More Than I Can Give,” was the song that catapulted his career. Independent of any record label or production company, the corresponding music video landed on the websites of CMT, GAC, MTV, and Vh1, indicative of the fact that Beau’s music appealed to a diverse audience from contemporary country to pop/rock. The song was featured on the in-flight audio programs of Northwest, Delta, and Cathay Pacific Airlines, as well as the SUBWAY sandwich franchise’s own radio station. This success gave rise to interviews and performances on radio stations all across the country.
Beau was featured on Oprah in May 2009, due to their mutual love for Skype. He was featured in Country Weekly magazine (August 2008) and gained international media attention when asked to pen and premiere an honorary lullaby for Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman’s daughter, Sunday Rose. Beau won CMT’s Music City Madness original song contest with his song “Mr. Wrong,” and opened for Josh Gracin and Craig Morgan. He also partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, performing at the Komen 3Day walk in Atlanta. Beau was named one of “Nashville’s 25 Most Beautiful People” by Nashville Lifestyles Magazine in 2008, along with fellow recording artists Jewel and Chuck Wicks, and was a featured music pick in In Touch magazine’s “Can’t Miss Guide.” (Feb. 2009). Beau was named one of Cosmopolitan Magazine’s 50 Hottest Bachelors of 2009, representing his home state of Tennessee. As a result, he as appeared and performed on The Today Show, Fox & Friends, Fox’s The Strategy Room, Entertainment Tonight, and The Daily Buzz. He also performed at the 2010 Outback Bowl in Tampa, FL. Beau was selected by ClearChannel and MDA to perform at Jerry Lewis’ MDA Telethon live in Las Vegas. In April 2010, Producer Brad Bell of The Bold and the Beautiful created a role for Beau to guest star on the show, both acting and singing the Frank Myers song “You’re All I Ever Wanted.” In December 2010, Beau will be performing his original song at the fist annual American Spirit Pageant, hosted by Mario Lopez.
Beau’s insatiable drive and tenacity have enabled him to experience unprecedented success through his own initiative, He represents a new breed of artists who push musical boundaries, in much the same way Elvis did, finding innovative ways to integrate music with television, film, and other media, while staying committed to the purity and soul of each song.
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"The Good Hurt," Beau's debut album is on iTunes.