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Cali
Track List
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| Pop artist Cali is in a unique place to not only relate to her peers (along with those a little younger and slightly older) but she also has her fair share of life experiences and artistic leanings that are all well beyond her years. In the latter... |
 Pop artist Cali is in a unique place to not only relate to her peers (along with those a little younger and slightly older) but she also has her fair share of life experiences and artistic leanings that are all well beyond her years. In the latter sense, she refuses to be a part of the pre-fabricated, manufactured, pretty as a picture pack, instead turning towards pure and powerful vocals, making songwriting with substance a priority and relying on natural beauty in place of highly tampered airbrushed imaging. Add in a desire to connect with tweens, teens and beyond with genuineness and relevance and this youngster makes for an extraordinarily compelling listen.
“I’ve grown up dancing and singing since I was three years old and was performing in shows at Dollywood by the time I was nine,” says Cali, her sweet southern voice streaked in sincerity and enthusiasm. “It’s always been my way of expressing myself as I grew up and I recorded a demo and went on tour for the first time when I was sixteen. I sang about eight songs on each date, we had dancers, costume changes throughout the show, our own sound system and the music that fell somewhere between Britney Spears and Destiny’s Child.”
After generating buzz from those dates and those within Nashville (where she currently resides), Cali signed on with Waypoint Entertainment and crafted a brand new self-titled CD under producers Darrell Vanzant (former Director of A&R, Mark Chesnutt, Chely Wright, Tonic Sol-fa), Sam Mizell (Jump 5, American Idol’s RJ Helton), and Ric Robbins (Multi-Grammy Award Winner, GRITS, TobyMac), plus mixing engineer extraordinaire Steve Hodge (Multi-Grammy Award Winner and the master engineer behind such acts as Janet Jackson, Sounds of Blackness, TLC, Toni Braxton, Usher, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, New Edition).
“As far as the pop side of what I do, I wanted to get a really fun feel,” she relates, citing Britney Spears, Stacie Orrico and Jessica Simpson as frequenting her CD player. “But I also wanted to put a message behind it with real substance that people can dig into.”
Several examples can be traced throughout the disc, which are loaded with a mixture of remarkable honestly and unbelievably fun expositions. “Sound So Good” offers empowerment to anyone struggling through a rocky relationship, the lead single “Get Up” talks about making the most of life, while “Can It Be” addresses the general struggles teenagers go through.
“Mainly with this CD, I wanted to bring my story to it,” explains Cali. “I want people to relate no matter where they are in life and so far audiences love it.”
Fans will have the chance to check out the show for themselves this coming fall/winter as Cali hits the road in support of her national debut project. Already she is earning a name for herself on tour, opening dates for the incredible Tonic Sol-fa and a headlining spot on this past summer’s Camplified Tour with fellow teen acts Kristy Frank, Scarlett's Web and 3D. The tour was sponsored by Fender, Sonic Bids and PopStar! Magazine, previously hosting the likes of Fefe Dobson (Island Records), Skye Sweetnam (Capitol Records), Nikki Flores (Epic Records), Katelyn Tarver (American Idol Juniors) and Rose Falcon (Columbia Records). Cali was also invited out for this year’s ShoutFest 06, sharing the stage with Krystal Meyers, Building 429, SuperChick, Jump 5, Jessie Daniels, Day Of Fire, and By The Tree.
As for the immediate future, audiences nationwide will have the opportunity to hear and see it as RadioDisney.com will be featuring Cali as an Incubator Artist (December 2nd-15th) in anticipation of the national release of her debut project in January 07. Cali just wrapped production on the video for the first single, “Get Up” which was directed by Jonathan Kingsbury (Sonicflood). The video will be featured on RadioDisney.com as well as other major media outlets. |
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9/22/2009 - Grammy Nominated Vocalist Kierra Sheard Releases "Kiki's Mix Tape"
GRAMMY® nominated vocalist Kierra Sheard will release KIKI’S MIX TAPE (EMI Gospel) on September 22, 2009. Included on the project are 2 brand new songs, the lush and slow-grooving “Teach Me” and the church-girl-gets-her-rock-girl-on high-octane praise anthem “Sing To The Lord”. An EP comprised of 8 tracks, KIKI’S MIX TAPE is a vivid portrait of a young artist fully coming into her own.
The material on KIKI’S MIX TAPE spans Sheard’s dynamic young career, virtually documenting her artistic development from her explosive introduction as a solo artist in her own right via her 2004 debut smash single, the Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins-produced “You Don’t Know” to current radio hit “Love Like Crazy (Extended Mix)”, making several stops in between.
“I love how this project shows how I’ve grown as an artist from my first single until now,” says Sheard of the release. “I went on facebook and twitter to ask my fans what some of their favorites were that they wanted to see on the project that we could mix in with some remixes and new songs. I love the artwork, I love the concept and overall this project was just a lot of fun to put together.”
Sheard enjoyed letting her hair down and shifting into a bit of a different gear for the new song “Sing To The Lord”. “I really like to jump around and have a good time when I praise God. We tend to put limits on ourselves when it comes to expression and I wanted to get outside all that with this song,” she says. “I had so much fun with this song and can’t wait to do it live!”
Also included on KIKI’S MIX TAPE is a new remix of “Wave Your Banner (Monsta Mix)”, a special Tommy Sims-produced duet with vocalist Marcus Cole on the classic Donnie Hathaway-penned holiday favorite “This Christmas” and the futuristic-sounding urban aural assault of “I Want Back”, which was previously available only as an exclusive bonus track to fans who purchased Sheard’s last release, Bold! Right! Life! on iTunes.
The words “spare time” are foreign to Sheard, and in between studio sessions and live concerts she has more than enough to keep her busy. In addition to actively pursuing a degree in English at Wayne State University in her hometown of Detroit, she is working hard on the launch of her clothing line, MaMAJik™, in the spring of 2010. More information about MaMAJik™ can be found at www.mamajik.com.
Another effort close to Sheard’s heart is her youth ministry initiative BRL (Bold! Right! Life!), which just held its second-annual youth conference in August 2009 in Detroit. “My vision with BRL is to nurture and empower my generation both naturally and spiritually, and show them that it is entirely possible to be young, saved and still have a full, vibrant and fun life,” says Sheard of the BRL initiative. More information about BRL can be found at www.boldrightlife.com.
Sheard will also be making her big-screen debut alongside LeToya Luckett, Clifton Powell, Essence Atkins and others in the Warner Premier/Gener8xion Entertainment film “The Preacher’s Kid”, which hits theaters October 30, 2009. More information about The Preacher’s Kid can be found at www.preacherskidfilm.com.
Fans can connect with Kierra Sheard online at myspace (www.myspace.com/kierrakikisheard), facebook and twitter (http://twitter.com/kierrasheard). For more information, visit http://kierrasheard.emigospel.com.
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4/24/2009 - Natalie Grant Takes Home Fourth Consecutive Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Curb recording artist Natalie Grant was named Female Vocalist of the Year for the fourth consecutive time at last night’s 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Grant now joins Sandi Patty as the only other artist to have received the prestigious honor four or more consecutive years.
In addition to her win, Grant performed “Make It Matter,” from her 2008 best-selling recording, Relentless, along with Group 1 Crew, during the live broadcast of the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards on Gospel Music Channel.
The ceremony capped a GMA Music Week that saw other high-profile appearances for Grant, including a celebration honoring the RIAA Gold certification of her 2005 breakthrough, Awaken. In addition, Grant co-hosted the BMI Songwriter Showcase with singer /songwriter Matthew West, where she performed her Song of the Year-nominated hit single, “I Will Not Be Moved.”
Last year Grant was both the most-played female artist at Christian radio and the top-selling Adult Contemporary female solo artist in Christian music. One of the genre’s biggest names, Grant is among a select number of artists to have also achieved a formidable foothold at mainstream media and radio. In addition to her music, she is an outspoken advocate for victims of international human trafficking. The Home Foundation, which Grant created in 2005, has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to fight the trafficking of women and children for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
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3/30/2009 - GMA's Reigning Female Vocalist Of The Year, Natalie Grant Brings The 'Make It Matter Tour' To Multiple Cities This Spring
GMA's reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year and Curb recording artist, Natalie Grant, will hit the road this week for her spring "Make It Matter Tour." Sponsored by The Revolve Tour, HearItFirst.com and Grant's Home Foundation, the tour will also feature American Idol finalist and Brash recording artist Chris Sligh, Word recording artist Meredith Andrews, and will introduce new recording artist Evan Milby.
Kicking-off March 19 in Columbus, Ohio, the "Make It Matter Tour" is slated to hit St. Louis; Baltimore; Indianapolis; Omaha, Nebraska; Elkhart, Indiana; and Asheville, North Carolina, among other cities before concluding April 26 in Martinsburg, West Virginia. One of the most noteworthy tours in Christian music this season, the March 22 stop in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is already sold-out.
Grant is one of the top nominees at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, which will be held April 23 in Nashville. Once again nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, her win in this category last year marked the first time in 13 years an artist has been named Female Vocalist three consecutive times. In addition, "I Will Not Be Moved" is nominated for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. The hit single, written by Grant, is featured on her best-selling 2008 recording, Relentless, which also received a nod for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. The Grant-penned "Breathe On Me," featured on Worship With Natalie Grant & Friends, is nominated for Worship Song of the Year.
Grant was the most-played female artist at Christian radio last year. Her latest single, "Our Hope Endures," is currently #13 on R&R's Christian AC National Airplay chart and #3 on the publication's Soft AC/Inspo National Airplay chart, according to the March 20 issue.
As American Idol finalist Chris Sligh's debut, Running Back to You, became one of the best-selling Christian albums on iTunes®, and wowed critics from USA Today to CCMmagazine.com last year, it also had the highest debut on Christian SoundScan in its first week. He is among the nominees for New Artist of the Year at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Heralded by Billboard Magazine as one of 2008's "Faces to Watch," new female vocalist and worship leader Meredith Andrews released her debut project, The Invitation, for Word Records last year. She has served as worship leader at Chicago's 12,000-member Harvest Bible Church.
The "Make it Matter Tour" is sponsored by The Revolve Tour for teen girls. "4Real," the 2009 event from The Revolve Tour, combines amazing music, relevant real-life stories, drama, excitement, and fun for a one-of-a-kind inspirational weekend for girls. The Revolve Tour events are produced by Thomas Nelson Live Events and began in 2005 as a response to thousands of requests from women attending Women of Faith conferences who wanted a similar experience for their daughters.
"Make It Matter Tour" sponsor HearItFirst.com is the best in class, definitive online destination for the Christian music fan. Filled with rich content covering the entire Christian music industry, HIF boasts a membership of over 196,000 registered users, and hosts an array of features on the site, including Exclusive Content Rich Media – videos, photos and audio streams, Genre Sections, Artist Pages, News, New Releases, Store, Tour Information, Community and Blogs. HearItFirst.com is THE destination for Christian music enthusiasts to connect within a fan community to enjoy the newest and most exclusive content and information about their favorite artists.
A tireless advocate for victims of human trafficking, Grant was one of the first Christian artists to raise awareness of this worldwide atrocity. She created The Home Foundation in 2005 to support various anti-trafficking efforts around the world. The organization's current H.O.M.E.S. Project initiative, which operates in conjunction with various faith-based agencies, is working to provide resources and build shelters for human trafficking victims in the United States.
For further information on Natalie Grant and the "Make It Matter Tour," visit www.nataliegrant.com.
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2/20/2009 - Francesca Battistelli Makes History with Five Nominations for 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Including Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year
(NASHVILLE, TN) February 20, 2009 –Today Word Entertainment, through its artists, projects and other contributors, garnered 56 GMA Dove Award nominations, with Fervent/Reprise Records’ new singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli leading the way with five nominations, including “Song of the Year” (“I’m Letting Go”), “Female Vocalist of the Year,” and “New Artist of the Year,” the most for any new female artist in the history of the Gospel Music Awards.
“I am thrilled and honored to just be nominated!” says Battistelli. “It’s humbling to be among such great company, especially as a new artist, and being nominated for Song of the Year is a dream come true. I’m still soaking it all in!”
Word Records’ rock newcomers Remedy Drive were also honored in this year’s “New Artist” category, in addition to nods for “Rock/Contemporary Album” (Daylight Is Coming), and “Short Form Music Video” (“Daylight”). Fervent Records’ Dove-award winning hip hop trio Group 1 Crew were also honored in three categories this year, including “Rock/Contemporary Song” (“Keys To The Kingdom”), “Rap/Hip Hop Album” (Ordinary Dreamers), and “Short Form Music Video” (“Movin’”). Word Records’ powerhouse vocalist David Phelps received “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Long Form Music Video” (“O Holy Night”) nominations, while Word Records’ new worship artist Meredith Andrews garnered two nominations for “Worship Song” (“You’re Not Alone”) and “Praise & Worship Album” (The Invitation). Canaan Records’ legendary Kim Hopper also received two GMA Dove Award nominations including “Bluegrass Recorded Song” (“What Will I Wear”) and “Southern Gospel Album” (I Just Wanted You To Know).
Word Label Group (a division of Word Entertainment comprised of Word Records, Fervent Records, Myrrh Records, Canaan Records and Word Music Publishing) garnered 38 nominations, including top categories “Song,” “Male Vocalist” (David Phelps), “Female Vocalist” (Francesca Battistelli) as well as “New Artist” (Francesca Battistelli and Remedy Drive).
Word Distribution, another division of Word Entertainment, collected an additional 17 nominations including two nominations for “Song of the Year” (Chris Sligh and Natalie Grant), “Female Vocalist of the Year” (Natalie Grant), and “New Artist of the Year” (Chris Sligh).
Word Music was represented with five nominations, including two for “Musical of the Year,” one for “Youth/Children’s Musical of the Year,” and two for “Choral Collection of the Year.”
Encompassing distributed labels, artists, affiliated producers, published writers and printed collections, Word Entertainment has representation in 31 of 43 total nomination categories.
A full list of Word Entertainment and Word Label Group finalists are below. The GMA Dove Awards event will be held April 23, 2009 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
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4/25/2008 - Natalie Grant Named GMA's Female Vocalist for Third Consecutive Year
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Curb recording artist Natalie Grant has become the first artist in 13 years to win the GMA Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year three consecutive times. Grant received the honor at last night’s ceremony in Nashville, which was broadcast live on the Gospel Music Channel. Not since Twila Paris earned the Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year from 1993-1995 has this distinction been achieved.
The 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards broadcast also featured show-stopping performances from some of the top artists in Christian music and beyond, including the electrifying duet “Bring It All Together” by Grant and country superstar Wynonna.
Grant’s critically-acclaimed seventh recording, Relentless, released in February and was the highest debut and top album by a female artist on both Nielsen SoundScan’s Top Christian Albums and Christian Retail charts. With a formidable foothold at mainstream media and radio, Grant is a featured speaker and performer on the Women of Faith and Revolve Tours and is an outspoken advocate for victims of international human trafficking.
Her “Relentless Tour,” with special guest Jimmy Needham and introducing new artist Ashmont Hill, will be making stops in Pittsburgh; Chicago; Tupelo, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; and Knoxville, Tennessee, before concluding May 18 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
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