New Territory - ProfilesArchive

About Me

New Territory was started in 1989 by Singer/Songwriter Melissa Gordon Rhine in Atlanta, Georgia. Her idea was to have a project that would allow growth and development for all the musicians involved while moving the group along a creative corridor where all styles could meet.Improvisation is the main contribution that all members bring to the ensemble.Melissa began her love affair with music as a baby (maybe earlier). She began picking out tunes by ear on the family piano at 2 years old. At 8, she began writing poetic lyrics. Her elementary education included studying piano and theory at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. She also studied violin, recorder, guitar and was an active part of various chorus'. She began studying Voice at age 18 and continues to study as well as enjoying her work as a Vocal Coach, now teaching Piano and Performance skills as well. There have been a wide variety of performances as well as studio work experience. Melissa appeared as "Miss Harmony" in the "town" of Crossroads at Stone Mountain Park. She has also performed on WXIA TV for the special "A Southern Christmas".Her influences include Sarah Vaughn, Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, Buddy Guy and instrumentalists throughout history. As a songwriter, Melissa strives to create music in a variety of styles, that's positive and honest.Michael has played music since the mid-sixties working through many diverse styles in over 30 different bands. Due to the improvisational nature of his musical endeavors, Michael is comfortable in blues, rock and jazz idioms. After studying classical and jazz guitar at the University level, he pursued private teaching while working in the Midwest as a professional musician. Considering himself an "aural artist", Michael brings an eclectic, innovative blend of rhythms and techniques to New Territory.His influences are diverse: Jimmy Smith, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, John McLaughlin, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Wes Montgomery and The Allman Brothers.http://cdbaby.com/cd/newterritory orhttp://amazon.com

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/2/2007
Band Website: new-territory.net
Band Members: Melissa Gordon Rhine: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard Michael Rhine: Guitar, Vocals Marlon Rhine: Drums, Percussionwith special guestsSincere thanks to Airto Moreira, Howard Levy, Sam Skelton, Johnny Knapp, Burt Wolff, Neal Starkey and Billy Degnats and Melody Rhine for contributing their extraordinary talents to our first CD.
Influences: Sarah Vaughn, Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, Buddy Guy and instrumentalists throughout history. Jimmy Smith, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, John McLaughlin, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton and The Allman Brothers
Sounds Like: Mix of influences- picture a cabinet of musical spices added selectively as you go along..
Record Label: New Territory
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Keeping It Simple

KEEPING IT SIMPLE Melissa Gordon Rhine c March 2008 LIFE ALTERING POSSIBILITIES SUCH SERIOUS OPPORTUNITIES DON’T YOU WISH DON’T YOU WISH IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL, TO FIND SIMPLICITY.....
Posted by New Territory on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:19:00 PST

Collision

Wearing seat belts... and kindness saved our lives today. Literally. COLLISION By Melissa Gordon Rhine c March 22, 2008 I WANT TO GET THIS RIGHT IN THE AFTERMATH OF VOLCANIC CASUALTY...
Posted by New Territory on Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:30:00 PST

Songwriters: Where Do Songs Really Come From?

Ok..where do songs really come from? How are magnificent songs created? Do they come from the same place as lousy ones or is there a special source for the extraordinary ones? Listening to Owen's "A ...
Posted by New Territory on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:07:00 PST

New Music/Happy New Year

Hope you enjoy a few new songs. The Moonlight Sonata/It Had To Be You was a joy to put together. Lets Fall in Love... always a good idea May your 2008 Be Exceptionally Great! (hokey?) With Lov...
Posted by New Territory on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:09:00 PST

Feeding Some US kids for the Holidays

If you have a moment, check out the UNION compilation cd from http://www.feed333.org/store. to help feed children in the United States this holiday. A nice array of independent musicia...
Posted by New Territory on Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:57:00 PST

House Concerts.. A Trend

House concerts are a trend in live music, gaining increasing popularity around America. They allow fans to see and hear great artists up close, and the artists get to perform for attent...
Posted by New Territory on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:57:00 PST

Writing/Taste of Centerville

Hello All, New Territory will be performing a set at the Taste of Centerville at 2:15pm next Saturday- come by and introduce yourself! David Macdougall, Mike Jaccino and Marlon will be joining Mi...
Posted by New Territory on Sun, 14 Oct 2007 12:08:00 PST

Echo Valley Farm "Post Blog"

Good Evening... here's a "post blog" on the recent concert in Wisconsin. Echo Valley Farm gets more beautiful each time we visit! The bands and solo acts were wonderful. The sound system gre...
Posted by New Territory on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:20:00 PST

Echo Valley Farm Benefit Concert August 5

Good Evening. It's 2:30 am. Happy July 4th! In honor of our country's Independence Day, now's as good a time as any to invite all of you to a magical place that's a genuine America...
Posted by New Territory on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:50:00 PST

Thanks!

Thanks to Charles Rhyner, Jana Wolf and Shawn Regan for performing with me at 106 West last weekend. We all had a good time (participants and audience). Each songwriter brought a distinctive style, ex...
Posted by New Territory on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:36:00 PST