Barbara Pedraza, a native of Los Angeles, California has only been writing lyrics since 2003, but also has an amazing and wonderful story about how her ability to write lyrics came about:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"I was going through a time when my son needed operations and physical therapy for corrective surgery to his legs. As I prayed to God for a way to help me get through the hours needed in the hospital. One day as I was listening to music, I started writing and there it was the gift of writing lyrics. A truly God given gift. I had no idea they were lyrics at that time I was told later. I am truly thankful for the gift I received. It has given me strength to get through... "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In May of 2004, Barbara discovered artist Chris Botti while listening to him guest host on a television variety show. Later, while listening to one of his CD's, she felt inspired to write lyrics to several of Chris' songs and to also write an email to the television show thanking them for having him on as a guest host. She included a few lines of the lyrics she had written, they forwarded that message to him. This leap of faith led her to an interview by Smooth Jazz Artist Dave Koz who at that time was host of a radio station in Los Angeles, and is now host to his own nationally syndicated radio show. He called her "A Brand New Lyricist". This interview also led to them meeting in person as well as being introduced to many new artists and people within the music industry.
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As her gift further developed, Barbara's lyrics continued to pour from within. She found herself writing hundreds of lyrics and thus perfecting her craft. Yet it was not work to her. It was sheer joy. She found writing lyrics becoming an integral part of her life. Her rich experiences gave her and continue to give her the inspiration she needs to create wonderful new lyrical stories that seem to come at the drop of a hat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~One person she gives credit to for helping mentor and further develop this gift is Singer/Songwriter Sherelle Cary Smith. The beginning of their deep and lasting friendship happened shortly after Barbara's "Gift" was realized by her as if orchestrated from Heaven above.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"I met Sherelle when I was first starting out as a lyricist and since then she has become my best friend, her personal advice to me back then has come back for us both to use again and again "Take Baby Steps!", she has graciously given me her best advice and I will always appreciate her talent and ability, she gave me a path to follow, and I will always be grateful. She is truly a fantastic soul to know."
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Barbara also developed a friendship with Country Songwriter Dallas Scalf and together they wrote several songs that were later released on the compilation CD, "Catch a Rising Star".
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Barbara's next step forward was by collaborating with Greek Artist "LeoD". LeoD and Barbara collaborated on new World Music that is making itself known in the United States as well as in other countries.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In Barbara's own words: "I wish to thank LeoD for the great way he let my lyrics blend to his music...it was a great pleasure to have worked with him. Thank you Leo for taking a chance with me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~As news gets out of her unique writing style, more and more musicians are seeking her talents as a lyricist. Barbara is also collaborating with another new innovative songwriter from Greece, Konstantinos Kouropalatis!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Konstantin
os and I have worked on many songs together, I consider him not only a great new composer, and brilliant songwriter, but my special friend as well, thank you KK, for finding me, and letting me be a part of this collaboration, much love to you, Barbara.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Barbara's next collaboration is writing with Nikos Pitloglou. This master composer, producer, arranger, musician, together with Barbara's lyrics is now starting to become one of the most exciting collaborations yet. Barbara and Nikos have already started working on several songs...and this music is just now starting to go out around the world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~As soon as Nikos and I first spoke, I knew there was something in his music. For it came from his heart. I could tell he loved what he did, and creating music is his life and I wish to thank Nikos, from my heart, for making the music. His artistry, his knowledge of all genres in music, gives my lyrics, a new birth, give them a new life and a new love! Thank you my dear Nikos, for giving me a way to be heard.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Barbara also wishes to thank the singers who have come forward and made the songs come alive. Demis Tzivis, Sophia, Nasia, and all the musicians who have played each note, each song, each session, each recording! You know who you are! Thank you so much for everything!! Barbara hopes in the near future to finish work with World Artists, Fabio Mignola, Michalis, and Gerard Beauchamp in hopes of bringing their strong musical styles and authentic music to the United States.
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The music world is blossoming like a flower for Barbara Pedraza as her talent becomes known world-wide. Her success comes from seeing into the musicians heart and soul and writing something personally for them. She has an intuitive way of making an artist feel special and unique, as well as a gift that musicians will easily testify to. Yet in the end, to her, it will always be a gift that she treats with humility, awe, and the utmost respect. Because of that, Barbara Pedraza is destined to reach international acclaim!
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