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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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4/20/2012 - Natalie Grant Garners Fifth Dove Award for "Female Vocalist of the Year"
Recent GRAMMY ® nominated female vocalist and dove award forerunner Natalie Grant was honored last night as she accepted her fifth Dove for “Female Vocalist of the Year” at the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards. The highly anticipated event was held at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA and will air on GMC TV on April 24 at 8PM and 10PM ET.
Grant also received a standing ovation when she gave a powerful performance of the Dove and GRAMMY® nominated song “Alive” featured on The Story, alongside her husband and award-winning producer Bernie Herms.
Hosted by comedian Chonda Pierce and actor David Mann from Tyler Perry’s sitcom Meet the Browns, music fans can tune into the nationally televised broadcast on GMC TV on April 24 from 8PM to 10PM ET.
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2/17/2011 - Brandon Heath Continues "Male Vocalist Of The Year" Streak
Christian music’s reigning two-time Male Vocalist of the Year, Brandon Heath is once again tapped in the coveted category with his nomination announced today from Atlanta, Ga., for the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards. Heath won the title in 2009 and 2010.
The Nashville native continues to have the biggest song in the land, as his fourth career No. 1 single “Your Love” remains No. 1 for a sixth week on Billboard’s National Christian Audience chart.
The single is featured on Heath’s chart-topping third studio release, Leaving Eden. The highly-acclaimed album released Jan. 18, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Current Contemporary Christian Chart and reached the No.1 position on iTunes Christian Albums chart.
Last month, Heath reached another career milestone as the digital sales of his previous 2009 Dove-winning Song of the Year hit “Give Me Your Eyes” surpassed 500,000 and officially certified as a RIAA Gold digital single. Heath is currently on tour with GRAMMY Award winning artist TobyMac as part of the Winter Wonder Slam Tour. On March 4, he kicks off headlining a month of shows with special guests Dave Barnes and Kristian Stanfill, and then joins MercyMe for an estimated 20 cities.
For tour dates, and to view Heath’s new Leaving Eden video sessions, please visit www.brandonheath.net.
The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Ga. on Wednesday, April 20th. The awards show will be televised on GMC at 8:00p.m. ET/delayed PT on Easter Sunday, April 24th. GMC is the fastest-growing network in television and can be seen in 47 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.
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2/16/2011 - Kerrie Roberts Nominated for New Artist and Female Vocalist of the Year
Pop songstress Kerrie Roberts celebrates her first career nominations today for the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards, with honors in the two high-profile categories of New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Nominees were announced today in Atlanta, Ga., at the historic Fox Theatre.
After receiving the news this morning, Roberts said, “I’m just so thankful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had this year that have led up to today’s announcement.” She adds, “I couldn’t be more proud of my fellow nominees in both categories, and am truly honored to be associated with them.”
Roberts released her soulful-pop, self-titled debut album Aug. 24, 2010, on Reunion Records. The project’s lead single, “No Matter What,” performed as a multi-format Top 5 hit on Billboard’s Christian AC and CHR radio charts, receiving 115 million cumulative listener impressions to date. The album’s second single “Outcast” remains a Top 5 hit on the CHR radio chart this week, and the new single, “Take You Away,” is currently adding to Christian AC stations around the country.
The album’s track “Unstoppable” has also been featured on the FOX network in broadcast promos for the current 10th season of “American Idol.” With proven strong radio support, the emotive singer’s huge, soaring vocals and transparent songwriting poise her to be the next breakthrough voice in Christian music.
As stated last year, Mike Prendergast, Director of Programming for KLTY in Dallas, predicted Kerrie Roberts as “New Artist of the Year” saying, “She’s one of the best new acts I’ve heard in a while.”
Roberts wrapped a 10-city run with Building 429 this month as part of the Food For The Hungry Winter Blast 2011 tour, following a busy 2010, opening for Casting Crowns on several show dates, and appearing on the Very Merry Christmas Tour with Newsong and Newsboys.
The south Florida native’s first performance came at the age of five years old. Growing up a pastor’s daughter, she was the youngest member of the church choir and would stand on top of a milk crate to see over the choir’s partition. After learning to play piano, Roberts wrote her first songs in high school and began performing in churches and local venues.
For more information on Kerrie Roberts, with performance videos and more, please visit: www.kerrieroberts.com and www.twitter.com/Kerrie_Roberts.
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2/9/2011 - Teen Pop Vocalist Katelynne Cox Releases Label Debut, One Girl, March 22
Sixteen-year-old pop artist Katelynne Cox will release her first national label project via Red Hammer Records on March 22. Titled One Girl, the record communicates a message of integrity and empowerment, inspiring listeners toward confidence and self-respect.
Produced by Grammy Award nominee Aaron Rice, with songwriting by Rice, Sam Mizell (Francesca Battistelli, Matthew West) “American Idol” alumnus Chris Sligh, Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, and Jamie Moore (tobyMac, Ayiesha Woods), One Girl comprises 12 tracks showcasing pop-rock melodies and hooky choruses. A victim of school bullying for many years, Cox’s songs address issues of peer pressure, self-esteem, and embracing one’s individuality.
“The lyrics on this album were very important to me,” she says. “That’s the main reason I chose One Girl as the CD title. That song talks about being one girl in a crowd, standing up and saying what you want to be said and not trying to blend in with everyone else. It talks about being proud of who you are and being unique.”
Other songs like “You and Me” are about being above the influence, while light-hearted tune “Smile” is an ode to friendship. Rice comments on the album’s significance, “Katelynne draws her inspiration from a unique set of circumstances. Having experienced so much at such an early age, she truly can relate to young people in a relevant way. There are so few voices in Christian music that speak to her generation. This record is one that needed to be made, and Katelynne was the perfect artist to do it.”
The project’s first single, “Me” will vie for adds at Christian Hit Radio beginning Feb. 25. Additionally, production is currently underway on a music video for “Me.” For more information on Katelynne Cox or One Girl, visit: www.katelynnecox.com or www.myspace.com/katelynnecox. Follow Katelynne on Twitter at twitter.com/katelynnecox
Portland, Ore. native Katelynne Cox is an accomplished singer, songwriter, model, dancer and actress. The sixteen-year-old has won more than 75 state and national modeling titles, including National Miss American Jr. Teen Victory 2009 and Miss Washington Pre-Teen in 2006. In 2010, she appeared on the cover of Supermodels Unlimited magazine.
Cox began her professional music career after being accepted to the first “American Idol” camp, which led to her recording the National Anthem for KUPL, a local radio station in Portland. Red Hammer Records president Darren Bowls heard Cox’s voice and signed her to his Portland-based label, which is distributed by Entertainment One Distribution. For more information, visit www.katelynnecox.com.
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6/16/2010 - Sanctus Real Vocalist Matt Hammitt Offers Personal Confession with "Lead Me" From Pieces of a Real Heart
GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award winning Sanctus Real released its fifth studio album, Pieces Of A Real Heart, on Sparrow Records in March amidst growing critical acclaim. As the first radio single from the album, “Forgiven,” went to the top of the charts becoming one of the most played Christian radio singles this year, the second single, “Lead Me,” was released last week to AC radio and becomes the most added new song ever for the band this week, launching into the top 20 of the overall Billboard Christian radio national audience chart. Already a Billboard Top 30 AC Monitored and Top 5 CHR hit, the song is a personal confession and prayer written by lead vocalist Matt Hammitt, and is proving to be a source of hope as he and his wife, Sarah, walk through a difficult pregnancy.
“My wife and I aren’t shy about sharing that we’ve had some pretty major struggles,” admits Matt after his wife implored him to be a better spiritual leader in the family. “I think the challenge for me in the song, and hopefully for other men as well, is every time I hear it, every time I sing it, I ask myself, ‘what kind of man am I?’ Not yesterday, not tomorrow, what kind of man am I today? Have I invested in my family emotionally, spiritually the way that God has called me to reach out to them and to lead them.”
To lead them with strong hands / To stand up when they can’t /
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love / Chasing things that I could give up /
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight / And give them the best of my life /
So we can call this a home / Lead me, ‘cause I can’t do this alone /
Father, lead me, ‘cause I can’t do this alone
Implementing this shift in daily priorities, Matt is now walking together with Sarah through one the most difficult points yet in their marriage. Parents to Emmy and Claire, the couple is struggling to bring to term their first baby boy, Bowen Matthew Hammitt. Bowen, which means "small victorious one," is 26-weeks-old and has been diagnosed with a serious heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart (HLHS).
“On April 12th of this year, Sarah and I walked into our nineteen week ultrasound excited to find out whether we were having a boy or a girl. Since we’ve already been blessed with two beautiful girls, we were excited to find out it was little boy! However, shortly after the ultrasound, our OB [obstetrician] entered the room and said she had some bad news.
“Knowing Bowen is sick has brought me face to face with the sobering reality that none of us are promised tomorrow and has pulled that nagging ache, the one to make every moment count, straight to the surface of my daily life,” confesses Matt on a blog he and Sarah created to give updates on Bowen at http://bowensheart.com/.
Again finding encouragement and strength in the song “Lead Me,” Matt and Sarah share the story of the song on video at www.sanctusreal.com. Hoping to help other couples struggling in their marriage, Sanctus Real also leads corporate prayers that can be found on the website.
As the song “Lead Me” continues to gather radio airplay, here is what media have been saying about the song and Pieces Of A Real Heart:
“‘Lead Me’ is a surefire hit…This song is a ‘must own’ for all husbands, fathers and young men looking for an honest portrayal of the prayer of a Christian man asking God to lead their lives.” – NewReleaseTuesday.com (“A+” album review.)
“We put every track to the test and can say that the superb production quality and heartfelt lyrics go a long way toward making this their best album yet.” – Napster.com
“This album is more mainstream in its pop/rock appeal… the album is nearly perfect.” – The Album Project
“With honest lyrical prose and heightened musical charm, Sanctus Real re-energizes their stay as one of Christian music’s favorite bands.” – CCM
“Pieces Of A Real Heart is an album that finds strength in brokenness, navigating the tension between humility and confidence, joy and pain…a solid album and a great addition to the latest chapter in Sanctus Real’s career.” – JesusFreakHideout.com
“On their fifth studio album, Sanctus Real reached a place very few rock bands ever ascend to…Hammitt knows what to say and how to say it, offering his own experiences and ponderings as counsel without coming across as trite or even the least bit holier-than-thou.” – All Music Guide
“Pieces Of A Real Heart offers pop-rock songs of worship even while addressing real-life issues and questions. Listeners will also appreciate Sanctus Real’s transparency and honesty.” – Charisma
“Sanctus Real continues to grow in their craft. This is their best album to date!” - CMSpin.com
“They’ve developed a more refined and mature pop/rock sound.” – ChristianityToday.com
“There are many amazing songs on this new project… it does not disappoint.” – StereoTruth.com
“The American rockers have gone from strength to strength down the years and in Matt Hammitt have one of the best vocalists on the current CCM scene.” – Christian Marketplace
“The Sanctus Real library is a must for every Christian’s music collection. This current album will not disappoint. Five stars for Pieces Of A Real Heart.” – Everyday Christian
“Pieces Of A Real Heart is by far the band’s best record to date…” – thebridgelive.net
“The songs on this album are…excellent, with insightful lyrics and memorable hooks…” – Cross Rhythms
“With Pieces Of A Real Heart, Sanctus Real remains a cut above similar popular Christian pop-rockers with superior lyrics, and clear, sharp production.” – The Phantom Tollbooth
“Singer Matt Hammitt’s voice is very distinct and crisp as he sings with heart and emotion…Sanctus Real still packs a powerful musical touch.” – TitleTrakk.com
“…Pieces Of A Real Heart, is really really good…I encourage you to go beyond the music and allow yourself to really hear the lyrics.” – The Gospel Blog
Popularly known for its captivating recordings and live performances, Toledo, OH-based Sanctus Real is all about living out their lives as “real” Christians, not only on the stage and as they interact with fans, but in the quieter moments of their lives as husbands, fathers and fellow believers. The band creates compelling, authentic music that lives up to the meaning of their name: to be Holy (Latin meaning of “Sanctus”).
With 14 No. 1 and Top 5 radio hits, Sanctus Real’s 2006 breakthrough album, The Face of Love, landed at No 2 on the Billboard Top Heetseekers chart while the band’s most recent release, We Need Each Other, garnered the band a GRAMMY nomination. Pieces Of A Real Heart is the result of the band maturing and growing as songwriters, musicians and individuals, while retaining its aggressive edge and incorporating a more diverse musical palette of instrumentation and themes.
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