Featured Homegrown Songwriters!!!

Our own songwriters from right here at home in Huntsville, Alabama, have  certainly been busy lately! Makes my head spin like an old 78 rpm record ... anyone remember those besides me! This is just a catch-up report hitting some highlights on just a few ... writing, co-writing, public appearances, recording, releasing albums, teaching, mentoring. We are blessed to have so much talent right here at home. Just think about it, our friends, our neighbors and what's more they are always there to support each other!

 Ken Cooper

Ken was accepted into Barbara Cloyd's Play for Publishers Workshop at the Bluebird in February. Ken has been appearing at the Bluebird quite frequently lately which is a coveted gig among the country songwriters. Congratulations, Ken.  He had the opportunity to write with a new artist band, and is now writing for Parish County as well as Borrowed Blue. Ken, also got an Indie cut called "Highway to Helen" on Andrew Velez's (another of  "our own") new album. You cannot keep a Rocket Scientist on the ground for very long, especially one that writes and sings like this one!

Earl Watts

Earl is in the Artist Spotlight of the Week on American Veterans Radio all this week! Earl has been in the "spotlight" for several weeks now. He was invited to sing for Mayor Battle's Proclamation Ceremony announcing March 29th, as Vietnam Veteran's Day. Then, he sang at the FIRST celebration of the new Vietnam Veteran's Day. There was a dedication ceremony of the statue honoring our veterans. Earl sand "To My Brother Private William Jones" at these ceremonies. Congratulations, Earl!

Gracie Newsum

One of our "young-set" songwriters, Gracie Newsum, a multi-award winning songwriter, has won top awards in the MOVA songwriting competitions. In December 2011, Gracie who is a member of the TCGMA (Tennessee County & Gospel Music Association) was nominated and awarded the TCGMA 2011 New Gospel Songwriter of the Year Music Award for her song, "Amazing Grace, Once Again" as well as New Gospel Vocalist of the Year. She brought home four trophies from that event! First places all! These wins qualified Gracie to compete in the nationals! On March 18th, at the North America Country Music Associations, Int'l Music Awards Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Grace brought home the trophies!!! ... The 2012 NACMAI Songwriter of the Year for "Amazing Grace Once Again" and the 2012 NACMAI Most Promising New Gospel Vocalist! We are proud of you, Gracie!

Jim Parker

Jim sang at  Tin Pan South, Friday March 30th, with Danny Flowers, Ricky Ray and Mike Willis! What a line up! Don't forget his upcoming Jim Parker Songwriters Series on Friday, April 13th with performers Walt Aldridge, Suzi Ragsdale, James Casto and special guest, Ken Gaines, of Houston, TX. 

Jim Parker Songwriter Series is  celebrating the 7th year at the VBC Playhouse in May! Congratulations, Jim!

MaryJusice Lucas 

MaryJustice Lucas is another of our "young-set" songwriters. She is a multi-award winning songwriter and singer having won top awards at MOVA, iPOP!, TCGMA and NACMAI. In December, 2011, at the TCGMA Music Awards in Dalton, Georgia, MaryJustice was nominated and awarded the 2011 New Country Video of the Year, 2011 New Country Songwriter of the Year, 2011 New Country CD of the Year and 2011 New Country Most Promising Entertainer of the Year. These wins qualified her to compete at the national level with the North America Country Music Associations, Int'l Music Awards in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She was awarded 2012 Rising Star New Country CD of the Year (all acoustic recordings of her original songs), 2012 New Country Songwriter of the Year, and the .... 2012 New Country Entertainer of the Year!!! So proud of you, MaryJustice!

Alvia Dale Sandburg

Alvia Dale Sandburg, or Alvie as his friends call him, is a relatively newcomer to the Huntsville songwriting community. Born and raised in Wyoming, Alvia came to Huntsville in 2010 via California and quickly became known and loved by all. Alvie is writing and co-writing with local songwriters and has just laid down ten tracks for a CD.  The vocals are all by Alvie and the project will be  co-produced by Jay Vernali and Alvia Dale Sandberg. One of the great things about his collection is the diversity in musical style, feel, tempo and lyrical subject matter. Alvie is considering naming the album "Farm Boy". We will just have to wait and see.  Expect to see and hear a lot of great things from this young man! 

We are so blessed to have all this talent ... oh, there are more, many more. When you're in Huntsville, Alabama on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday night drop in at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew and you're liable to hear one of them in person. Hey, shake hands, ask for an autograph ... They are Homegrown Songwriters from Our Sweet Home Alabama!

Jim Parker's Songwriters Series March 9th

Von Braun Center PLAYHOUSE at 6:30 PM

Friday, March 9th, 2012
700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801

Hear the stories behind the song!

Thanks to all of you who helped make our February performance the first SOLD OUT show of the 2012 season!

Friday, March 9th is our 3rd show for 2012. I have a great lineup of performers! Tim and Myles Thompson, Charie and Dana Black with Billy Ryan Droze as my Special guest! Season tickets for reserved seating are available and a few tables now open. If you're interested in a table contact me directly at jim@JimParkerMusic.com .

NSAI HALL OF FAME SONGWRITER CHARLIE BLACK

One of the most recorded Nashville songwriters ever, Charlie Black has been named Songwriter Of The Year three times and was elected to the NSAI Songwriter Hall Of Fame in 1991.

Since his first hit “I Don’t Know You Anymore”, recorded by Tommy Overstreet, Charlie has written 15 #1 songs including “Shadows In The Moonlight” by Anne Murray, “Right On The Money” by Alan Jackson”, “You Lie” by Reba McEntire, 100% Chance Of Rain by Gary Morris, “Honor Bound” by Earl Thomas Conley, and the Grammy nominated songs “A Little Good News” by Anne Murray and “Come Next Monday” by K.T.Oslin.

Charlie Black songs have been recorded by such legendary artists as Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Don Williams, Paul Anka, Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, Faron Young, Marty Robbins, Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea, and George Strait. His song “Goodbye Says It All” was Blackhawk’s

first big hit, and he helped launch Phil Vassar’s amazing career with “Carlene” and “Six-Pack Summer”.

Tim & Myles Thompson are a Nashville-based Americana-jazz-folk duo featuring International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion Tim Thompson and acclaimed violinist Myles Thompson. Since forming as a duo in 2009, the father-son act has entertained audiences from coast-to-coast, presenting high-energy instrumental and vocal duets of improvised originals and classics reminiscent of legendary artists such as Chet Atkins, Stéphane Grappelli, Chick Corea and Jackson Browne. Although influenced by the masters, their down-to-earth musical style is all their own -- a one-of-a-kind combination of improvisational jazz, traditional folk, singer-songwriter, country, rock and World.

A native of northern Minnesota, Tim's guitar playing, vocals and songwriting reveal his Midwestern musical roots with a hint of Americana Nashville. Audiences smile and tap their feet as he layers intricate melodies, chords and textures with his acoustic and electric guitars while his son, 17-year-old Myles, answers and/or takes the lead with soaring and drifting echoes on violin, occasionally surprising audience members with a humorous, homespun story. Tim’s unique technique, intricate and fun arrangements helped him win the International Fingerstyle Championship in 2008.

Tim has released seven solo albums -- one showcasing his talents as a singer-songwriter. The duo “Tim & Myles Thompson” has released one CD “Road Runner” and most recently a DVD “Tim & Myles Thompson Live”. Tim’s music has been used in film (Casper’s Haunted Christmas), TV, and software (Flip Video Camera). Tim has performed with popular acts such as Crystal Gayle and Highway 101, appeared on National Public Radio stations around the country, and shared billing with guitar icons Tommy Emmanuel and Phil Keaggy. Myles' touring career, which started at age 13, has taken him and his guitarist father coast-to-coast in the United States (including the Virgin Islands), as well as other countries such as England, Romania, Cyprus, Norway, and Canada.

My Special Guest is Billy Ryan Droze! As a teenager he would perform anywhere, at anytime for anyone who would listen. If he couldn’t get somebody to take him to a gig, Billy would walk for miles, carrying his guitar down the country roads of Alabama to play. Billy now lives in Nashville with his wife, Marija, son , Nicholas. He recently signed a recording contract with Directions International Nashville, and looks forward to releasing his first EP soon. In addition to all that Billy has acquired cut’s on such artist like ”DARRYL WORLEY, BILLY YATES, MARTY RAYBON (from the group Shenandoah) and many more to come. “I am genuinely blessed and I thank God everyday for all the good people he has put in my life”, says Billy. “I know I am nothing without the talent God gave me”. Billy has been featured in several magazines and his music has been heard on radio all over the world. Talent truly is the key word.

Jim Parker's Songwriters Series will celebrate it's seven year anniversay at the VBC during the May performance! Be sure to mark your calendars!!!

Finding Help - Update Michael Sexton

Michael Lee Sexton

April 17, 1980 - April 13, 2012

Michael Lee Sexton, 31, Bear Creek, after a courageous battle with Cancer, passed away on Friday, April 13, 2012 at his residence. The visitation will be 6:00 - 9:00. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Spry Memorial Chapel. The funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Spry Memorial Chapel. Officiating at the service will be Bro. Michael Farris. Burial will follow at Knights of Pythias Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Amy Sexton, children, Alyssa Sexton Shackleford, Timothy Sexton, Jessica Jane Sexton, Michael Lee Sexton, Jr., Malachi Sexton, Masyn Saban Sexton, Alexia Wilson; parents, tim and Cynthia Newell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you to all who came out to support the Songwriters For Survivors immediate need benefit for the Michael Sexton Family.

We had a good turnout of performers, fans and friends to support this cause. We raised $1,331 which has been sent directly to Amy Sexton. Please continue to donate to this family as Michael is in the last stages of Lymphoma.

Although the devastating storms took place almost a year ago, there is still much to be done. People, like the Sexton family, who lost everything were put in temporary housing miles away from their homes and the schools their children attended. They were uprooted by these storms and clean-up, rebuilding is still on-going. Please read this message from one of our members:

This email was sent from a member of Songwriters For Survivors and I thought it would be good to post it.

When I was trying to find help, I came across several people who think FEMA and Red Cross helped, so there’s no sense in helping anymore, but it isn’t true. FEMA only there a few days and barely helped. Red Cross stayed until Joplin got hit by a tornado. A lot of the help and donations actually came from regular people, not organizations. It is gonna take years to rebuild and even longer for people to accept what happened, and as one woman cruelly said, “move on.” A lot of lives were lost in a small community. If you drive through Phil Campbell there are still stripped trees, piles of people’s lives laying on the ground. You also still see clothes and tin wrapped into trees and power poles. The mess isn’t cleaned up, most homes are not rebuilt, and the people here are just beginning to start over.

This testimony comes form a woman who lives in Phil Campbell.

Email from Susan Belk

Please visit the new website frequently to see what our plans are. There is a big event planned for May 12th for the City of Hackleburg. The website is still under construction and Terry, our webmaster is adding slideshows of events and more information so keep visiting and clicking on the PayPal link to donate. Every little bit helps and goes to the project.

About Us

Songwriters for Survivors is a collaboration of songwriters and musicians in the Tennessee Valley. Our goal is to organize benefit concerts to raise funds that will help meet the needs of the citizens of North Alabama who have been devastated by various disasters. We were founded after the tornado outbreak of April 25-28, 2011.

Songwriters For Survivors Benefit

Everyone come out and join the Songwriters For Survivors Open Mic Benefit for the Sexton family. They lost everything they had during the tornadoes of last April and now the father, Michael, has terminal liver cancer. This family has an immediate need for your love and support.

Mrs. Sexton was pregnant at the time of the devastating tornado that destroyed everything they had. Thankfully, she delivered a healthy baby as you can see above. Now tragedy has struck the Sextons again. It is not expected that the Michael will be with them much longer. This is a heart-breaking situation and we need your help to help this family!

 

About Us

Songwriters for Survivors is a collaboration of songwriters and musicians in the Tennessee Valley of Alabama. Our goal is to organize benefit concerts to raise funds that will help meet the needs of the citizens of North Alabama who have been devastated by various disasters. Songwriters For Survivors is a non-profit organization. All funds collected will go directly to this family. Donations may be made through PayPal at http://sw4s.org/.

Meet Sean Patrick Adams

Not a “Homegrown Songwriter from Our Sweet Home Alabama” but a songwriter with an interesting story to tell.

Singer/Songwriter Sean Patrick Adams was born in Dallas, Texas, lived in the Panama Canal Zone for 17 years and now resides in Corning, New.York. He started playing guitar at age 14 but did not start writing songs until later in life.

“Well, I will say that the songs I write come from the heart. After losing my wife that I still loved very much to divorce, I started to write songs as a form of therapy for myself. I wrote down the good and bad feelings that I had and started composing songs that expressed the way I felt. This was a form of healing for me and I discovered purely by accident that my songs were a hit with all my friends. They could relate to the things I said. This was the beginning of an incredible journey for me!

Most of my first songs were about love, hate and hurt feelings…sad songs. I got past those feelings and started really learning how to write songs. I started exploring other genres and topics of expression in Christian Praise & Worship … songs about saving the planet… about life and death and the hurdles we sometime face by just living. I have survived and conquered depression, addiction and feeling that being adopted meant I was worthless.

Finally, I now feel that I’m coming into my own in life. I know who I am, what I want to accomplish. I’m still new to all of this but I’m very excited about what the future holds. I have been approached by a couple of music labels and producers to make my music mainstream.

My two best friends, who are awesome musicians, are in training for the ministry. I hope to work with them to help with suicide intervention for teens and young adults. I would also like to start or work with an organization or ministry to work with other adopted children who now feel as I used to feel. To help them understand that they are very special and God put them here for a reason.

Through deed or song, my goal is to reach as many people as I can to let them know that although life can be very hard never give up. There is always a way to change your stars if you try hard enough.” ~Sean Patrick Adams~

Please visit Sean Patrick Adams on ReverbNation and give his music a listen. He is also on Facebook and you may follow him on twitter @seanpatrickadams.

Jim Parker's Songwriters Series

Dear Homegrown Songwriters,

We had a last minute cancellation. Rebecca Lynn Howard found out today that she has to shoot a television show on the 6th! Karen Staley came to the rescue! Bless you Karen!

It's been an amazing year for JPSS and I owe every success to you, my fans and my sponsors for which I am deeply grateful. The first show for 2012 is coming up very soon, next Friday, Jan. 6th. I have a great lineup of performers: Rebecca Lynn Howard, Michael Anthony Curtis and Kurt Fortmeyer, with special guest Keith Elder, from Birmingham.Season tickets and a few tables are still available. If you're interested in a table contact me directly at 256-337-6006.

I hope to see you next Friday!

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Jim

 Weirton, Virginia, USA. Karen Staley is a singer-songwriter whose credits include a number of songs for Faith Hill (‘Take Me As I Am’ and ‘Let’s Go To Vegas’), Patty Loveless and Tracy Byrd (‘Keeper Of The Stars’). Raised in Georgetown, Pennsylvania, Staley claims to have been attracted to a career in music through the boredom she endured at the Methodist church meetings her parents took her to. In October 1984, she relocated to Nashville. Kathy Mattea recommended her to Bob Doyle at ASCAP, later Garth Brooks’ manager, who introduced her to various publishers. Within a month she had a staff publishing deal. Her first big hits came with Patty Loveless - ‘Lonely Days, Lonely Nights’ and ‘Wicked Ways’. After establishing herself as a songwriter she signed with MCA Records, but lost her way when the label was taken over by Universal. She moved to Warner Brothers Records instead, and received rave reviews for her 1998 debut for the label, Fearless. Karen is commited to charitable work and is a humorist as well as a hit singer/songwriter and performer.

Curtis was raised in Lewisburg, Tenn., but has lived most of his adult life in Alabama. He began writing songs at the early age of 12, and, by the time he turned 19, he was signed to ASCAP by Garth Brooks' manager Bob Doyle.

Curtis has written and co-written such great songs as "Drive Another Nail" by Randy Travis; "Father Knows Best" by Ricky Skaggs; "Get Up In Jesus Name" by Lee Ann Womack; and "Carpenters Son" by Sawyer Brown. He also wrote seven of the 10 songs recorded by Marty Raybon (former lead singer of Shenandoah), and began producing, which resulted in several No. 1 hits, that garnered Dove and GMA nods.

Kurt Fortmeyer was born in a barn and raised in a stable environment, or so he might tell an unwitting listener in one of his sillier moments. His life was changed irreparably at a tender and impressionable age when he was subjected to Roger Miller, Allan Sherman, Chubby Checker, and Trini Lopez.

His first solo show was at the HOLE IN THE WALL SALOON in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the late '70s, influenced by Jack Kerouac, Jesse Winchester, and Townes Van Zandt, he hitchhiked coast-to-coast...

Singer, songwriter, retreat leader--Keith Elder has spoken and performed for over thirty years in a wide variety of church, conference, and community settings. While serving local churches in North Alabama as a youth director then as a pastor, Keith continued to write and record, play small concert venues, and provide leadership for special events.

Kenneth Cooper

One of our own "Homegrown Songwriters From Our Sweet Home Alabama" ... a nicer person you will not meet! And,  you've always heard "behind every successful man is a woman" ... TRUE ... as you read through this article, it is very clear that Jennifer with her intelligence, clear thinking and sweet nature knew when to gently "push" Ken in the right direction!

Kenneth  started composing songs while stationed for NASA in Washington, DC in 2005, when his wife, Jennifer (now co-writer), bought him an acoustic guitar for $1 on EBay. He found the songwriting process to be very therapeutic after stressful days at work. They moved back to Alabama in June of ’05, and his daily job once again took over for a few years.

So, in early 2008, Jennifer instigated a small intervention of sorts because Ken was working lots of overtime and did not realize the duress he was under. Jennifer suggested he kick back a little and find a creative outlet. For Valentine’s Day, she bought him a Washburn guitar and studio recording session for the 10 songs he had written. After the first session with professional musicians he was hooked!

Since then, Kenneth has written 110 more songs, including co-writes with many of his Huntsville songwriter friends as well as Nashville professional staff writers and artists. Kenneth now has Jennifer contributing to some of his latest (and best) tunes. While Kenneth’s style has evolved more to the rough-n-rowdy style of contemporary country, like his current single “Bad Ass Country”, he’s still known to throw down the occasional hearty love song.

2011 was a jamb-packed year for Kenneth and Jennifer. Jennifer kicked it off on Valentine’s with his custom Martin guitar. Everything started falling in place from there, including writing 46 songs and recording the seven studio singles Kenneth has started releasing on ReverbNation. 

 

Kenneth and Jennifer have made countless road-trips to Nashville, writing  as well as playing shows at the Bluebird Café, the Commodore Grille, Ri’chard’s Café, and Bellcourt Taps and Tapas. Kenneth progressed to the semi-finals in the Puckett’s Grocery Rising Star contest, and performed in the Nashville Ear Songwriter Series at Nashville’s Bost Harley Davidson dealership.  

When at home in Huntsville, Kenneth continues to make music with his friends at the local songwriter hangouts, The Coffee Tree, The Daily Brew, and CD’s Bar and Grill.

Kenneth is a member of Songwriters For Surviors. He is right there to support the Benefit Series helping to raise money for victims of the April 2011 tornado outbreak. He is also involved in benefits for the Renaissance Theatre in Huntsville, Alabama.

Currently Kenneth is writing with hot, new Nashville artists, Lindsay Bruce and Parish County.  Writing sessions are booked into 2012 with more new up-and-coming pop and country artists. He has upcoming shows at the Commodore Grille, Hotel Indigo, and the Red Rooster Bar. Check out his show schedule

and latest releases at www.reverbnation.com/kennethcooper. Follow Ken on his Facebook Page Kenneth Cooper Music and be sure to click LIKE. Follow him or Twitter @KenCooperMusic.

So, as another one of our songwriters, MaryJustice says,

 "Hit it, Ken!"

Platinum AStar Entertainment - Nashville

AND

Madd Talent Management*

Music City - Nashville

PRESENT A SPECIAL EVENT
SHOWCASING

 "RISING STARS IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC"

IN BEST BUY'S ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE SERIES

FEATURING

Hannah Jones*

Grace E. Newsum

MaryJustice Lucas*

With Special Guests

 

Matt Morrow*

Kristen Dragotto

Thursday, November 17^th

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

BestBuy Brentwood Store*

Instrument Department

1600 Galleria Boulevard

Brentwood, TN 37027

You will be entertained by multi-award-winning performing songwriters featuring their original songs, plus covers : POP, New Country, Folk, New Gospel

*click link to websites

"One Brick At A Time"

Once again, the Tennessee Valley songwriters joined hands to lend a helping hand with a concert on October 22nd, benefiting the Phil Campbell High School Band Room which was destroyed during the April 27th tornados. For those of you who were members of a high school band and learned to play an instrument there, remember those great times with the band and what it meant to you. Just imagine having that taken from you! This will be and should be an on-going project to help Phil Campbell rebuild and restore their band room "On Brick At A Time"...

Join us in this effort by clicking this link to the glee website

and watch the video and click vote for Phil Campbell! Please share with everyone you know. Only one vote per day per computer I.P. address.

Thanks!

MaryJustice Lucas "Fix You" ColdPlay Cover

MaryJustice Lucas, a talented 16 year-old  songwriter from Huntsville, Alabama, has just released a new video on YouTube. A beautiful young artist, a beautiful voice, a beautiful work of art ... check it out!  MaryJustice usually sings her original songs but recently started adding a few cover songs to her shows.

"Fix You" cover recorded by MaryJustice may be purchased from ReverbNation. I understand that several originals by MaryJustice will be released sometimes in November.

MaryJustice Lucas covers Fix You by ColdPlay
Follow on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MaryJustice-Music/206209019430488
Follow me on twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/maryjustice07
Purchase Song and Follow me on Reverbnation:
http://www.reverbnation.com/maryjusticemusic

Special Thanks to:
Jeff Wyatt Wilson (DP/Director) http://wilsonindependent.com/front/
Email:wyatt@wilsonindependent.com

Eric Nelson - Producer/Drums/Backup Vocals
Mike Waldron - Electric Guitar/Mixing
Randy Coleman - Drums Track Engineer
Charles Jones - Acoustic Guitar/Bass

Madd Talent Management and Production
Email: mgmt@maddtalentmgmt.com

MaryJustice will be at the Commodore Grill in Nashville

 October 19th for a Songwriter's Round at 8:30 p.m.

 Drop in to see her live performance! 

We are proud of our young, local talent! Keep up the good work, MaryJustice!

Thin Blue Line

Randy Duck is a retired police officer in Huntsville, Alabama. He is also a great singer and songwriter. He's also an Elvis Impersonator! Can't get him to do it frequently, but when he does it is entertainment ... embellished costume, black wig, the whole works!

Randy is very active in getting funding and promoting The Huntsville Police Fallen Officers Memorial. He does many benefit concerts to honor our men and women in uniform, Military, Police, Firefighters, EMTs. Needless to say, Randy can fill the seats in any venue. We look forward to his shows on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and those he can squeeze in at other times. He is also busy performing at nursing homes and places for senior citizens. Randy is a true man of God and has not had an easy walk in his own shoes but never forgets his friends who are hurting or in need. That's just the kind of guy he is.

I know you will enjoy this video. It makes me swell with pride and invokes bittersweet memories of the fallen heroes dear to me. Help spread the word to promote this song and spread the word about the memorial. Proceeds from the original release of Randy's album, "A Thin Blue Line" went to the memorial fund. You may click the link above to the Fallen Officers Memorial and make a donation at the website.

Come Meet MaryJustice Lucas!

MaryJustice Lucas

 "Music is what I love! I started writing little songs when I was five and more detailed lyrics by age seven. Believe it or not, I was a dancer for seven years. Something I loved very much.  Long story short ... when I was younger, I was knocked down at a skating rink and injured my knee. I wasn't able to dance like I used to. Down the street from the dance studio was the Coffee Tree Books & Brew and I happened to drop in one songwriter's night. It's so true that God opens another door when one closes. I started singing at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew Songwriter Open Mic. At first, I was shy about sharing my songs, but a songwriter friend encouraged me by saying God gave me the gift to write music and I should share that gift. I joined a songwriting group and  met some great people who have been very encouraging!"

"My favorite part of a song is its lyrics.  Sometimes people say “Oh, I love this song!” and when I ask 'What’s it about?' they will sometimes say they don’t know, that they don’t listen to the words.  If you are someone who does that, it’s perfectly all right, but as for me, I find it impossible to NOT listen to what is being said. I love listening to the story being told in the song, just as much as I enjoy sharing stories in the songs I write."

"I love drawing, painting, photography, reading and the performing arts.The past couple of years have been like a whirlwind with competition wins, lots of traveling, learning guitar and leaving public school for a college preparatory home school program! Although I have a flexible schedule that allows for songwriting, performances and trips, it gets very hectic.  My faith and love of Jesus, my friends and family keep me going and give me inspiration for my songs." 

Whether Pop or New Country, MaryJustice's songs appeal to teens as well as older music lovers.

MaryJustice Lucas is performing with fellow songwriters, Chapman James and John Tinger at the Madison Gazebo, Main Street, Madison, Alabama, Thursday, July 7th at 6:30pm.  

Come Meet John Tinger!

John Tinger

 

Some of life's most powerful interests and avenues of expression begin at an early age. My desire to play the guitar started at the tender age of eight. A neighbor first introduced me to the wonders of this marvelous instrument. My interest was immediately sparked as I watched her play. I was hooked! I knew that music would play a major role in my life. The first guitar I held was a modestly priced instrument, (red, white and blue!), of questionable quality. 

Formal instruction was essential and with tremendous motivation and dedication, I made rapid progress in my studies. By the time I had reached early adulthood, my talents were such that I was able to enter into collaboration with like-minded musicians, eventually leading to the creation of a band focusing on cutting-edge experimental rock and heavy metal. After many well-received live engagements and promising recording sessions, my disillusionment with the commercial music scene began to grow, eventually leading to my putting aside my beloved instrument for nine years.

As I grew personally, exploring other methods of artistic expression,  my music career came into perspective. I realized just how important music was to me. It was becoming more apparent with each passing year that the genuine expression of my musical soul might best be articulated in acoustic styles rather than the more provocative and energetic electric medium of my earlier years. Finger-style artists such as Alex Degrassi (with whom I have studied) and Michael Hedges spoke to me in ways that other guitar virtuosos had not. It was their commanding influence that brought me back to music, this time focusing exclusively on the acoustic medium.

Once again I was dedicated to music with a passion I had never before experienced ... as though a higher power was guiding me to a deeper, more spiritual involvement with this medium, resulting in a satisfaction and fulfillment unmatched in my younger days. I hope that, in some way, I can reach and inspire others to similar interest and expression. Ultimately, arousing and nurturing such interest in others is undeniably even more fulfilling. This would explain my compelling desire to instruct others willing to study music and the guitar, a pursuit that has harnessed my wholehearted commitment.

John Tinger is performing with fellow songwriters, MaryJustice Lucas and Chapman James at the Madison Gazebo, Main Street, Madison, Alabama, Thursday, July 7th at 6:30pm. 

Come Meet Chapman James!

Chapman James

 

 

Born James Chapman Polhemus in Stuttgart Germany and brought up nicknamed 'Buddy' in the deep southeast (now residing in Huntsville, AL), Chapman has had unique insights into the development of a Folk musician. "A writer is not necessarily the one that shouts 'Hear Me!' (that's the performer talking) , but one that listens and seems to whisper 'I heard you'." Whether it's the sound of a human trotting across the prairie, the epic life of a tree, the loneliness one needs to combat garden gnomes or a view of war through the eyes of a 4 year old boy, Chapman's songs are honest and simple. "If the song is good, the genre doesn't matter! Choosing among frames for artwork has never been my passion, that's for the talented producers & cover artists" "After having written my first song at the age of 12, I have finally found so many decades later the exact reasons I write songs. I write to remember. Once I have learned either a complex idea that I think is important to answer back to life, or a humorous perspective I want to recall to bring some levity to the insanity, I make a song out of it... selfish as it may seem I do it for me so this is why I share it and welcome everyone to the therapy session I call a 'Live Performance'. I write so the things I've learned just won't become lost like so many raindrops in the ocean and just maybe they'll shed a little light on what is to be expected from this seemingly insignificant species called human"...

Chapman James is conducting a "Therapy Session" with fellow songwriters, MaryJustice Lucas and John Tinger at the Madison Gazebo, Main Street, Madison, Alabama, Thursday, July 7th at 6:30pm.