The powerful, sensitive singer, songwriter, Karen Tobin, is a veteran of the Los Angeles Country Music scene and former recording artist with Arista Records - New York, and Atlantic Records - Nashville. Ms. Tobin has been compared with such luminaries of the female vocalist elite as Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Her new release is on her own label Sunnyland Productions.
A fan once said of her "She displays control and versatility with her mezzo-soprano vocal style. She's got just right amount of emotion in her performances to make you want to hear more." "Karen sings the heart right out of her chest." "Ms. Tobin wails out a shivering mountain edged soprano that's laced with a powerhouse of control and emotion"-- Cash Box." "Everything she does is wonderful, this woman has so much ability." - Robert Oremann, Music Row Magazine.
Karen was classically trained at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music in her home state of Pennsylvania. She started singing professionally upon moving to San Francisco and ended up her stint there as a featured vocalist on the last Hot Tuna album. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, Karen was signed to a recording contract by Clive Davis of Arista Records.
Taking time off to raise her two daughters, her song writing flourished. As her love for the music business prevailed, she started writing country songs stylistically influenced by the legendary Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers. After forming the duo, Crazy Hearts (country's Fleetwood Mac), they were immediately asked to contribute a cut to the "Town South of Bakersfield Vol. II CD". Crazy Hearts became a local favorite, playing around the Los Angeles area, and at the Country music festivals. Word got out, and soon the folks from Nashville were interested in Karen's talents.
Keith Stegall (producer of Alan Jackson) heard her sing at the famous Palomino Club and was immediately hooked. Before she knew it, she was in Nashville recording some demos with Keith. The call from Atlantic Records came soon after and along with it, the release of the critically acclaimed album "Carolina Smokey Moon". Karen, with the help of her band, composed and recorded the CD "Karen Tobin and Crazy Hearts" on Big Otis Records. Karen was nominated as Best Country Artist by the Los Angeles Music Awards, along with Dwight Yoakum and Jim Lauderdale.
Her 2003 release is entitled "That's What You Get," and has been getting rave reviews for the vocal quality and the songwriting, uilizing the talents from some of the West Coast's most outstanding players and recording engineers.
Karen has had songs recorded and released by Artists in Switzerland, Holland, Japan and the United States. She can be heard singing on various movie soundtracks. She is a prolific songwriter with a sensitive lyrical style.
It has been said and written of Karen, "She will touch you to the bottom of your soul with her intensely emotional performances. All of her songs come from her real life situations. Her show should not to be missed."
This CD can be purchased online at CDBABY
