About Me
As a songwriter, Karen is Grammy-nominated. She's had numerous international radio hits, with songs recorded by such artists as Laura Branigan, Melissa Manchester, Al Jarreau, Nana Mouskouri & Patty Loveless. She's garnered several "Songwriter of the Year" awards. Karen writes powerful songs about issues that most writers would not even attempt to address.
As a vocal artist, Karen has been heard on national radio and television jingles for United Airlines, Taco Bell, Peter Pan Peanut Butter, McDonalds and others. She has recorded with such notable performers as Dolly Parton, Al Green, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers & George Jones. As a solo artist, she has had 9 nationally-charted singles.
As an entrepreneur, Karen has overcome many music industry obstacles by forming her own record label (with 6 nationally released CDs), and her own music publishing and merchandising companies. Karen’s CDs, book, and personally-designed ‘touchstone’ bracelet were featured on the Home Shopping Network on several occasions.
As an author, Karen has recently penned her first book entitled "On Angel's Wings," which includes a companion CD. A collection of vignettes and songs about real-life situations, it resonates deeply with mature audiences. The book (in its third printing) contains poignant, moving and uplifting stories dealing with aging parents, teenagers, child abuse, spirituality, and even a tongue-in-cheek look at a trip to the gynecologist!
As a keynote speaker, Karen has inspired, motivated, encouraged, and entertained thousands. She is in demand with women's organizations (including American Business Women's Association) because of her entrepreneurial spirit; with health care organizations (including The National Hospice Foundation) because of her nurturing heart; and with business organizations (including U.S. Bank) because of her unique presentations, which blend music, humor, pathos and chutzpah!
As a marketer, Karen's objective is clear: To make a difference in the world as the 'Song Guru' - - - a woman of wisdom and compassion who uses the power of music to open hearts and minds - - - to remind us that we are all together in this strange and wondrous journey of life.
As a philanthropist, Karen donated her time and talent to "The Planet Earth Project." The song (which she recorded in 7 different languages) was set to footage furnished by NASA, and won an International Video Award. Karen has donated her music to various Hospice video productions, one of which recently won a Telly Award, and an International Film and Video Festival Award. Her songs have been adopted by non-profit organizations, (The Compassionate Friends, ChildHelp USA, The National Hospice Foundation and Habitat for Humanity). Karen's songs are used by ministers, rabbis, therapists and counselors in their healing work. She regularly donates a percentage of her sales to non-profit and charitable organizations.
PROFILE AWARDS:
2002 SESAC LEGACY AWARD
JUNO AWARD (CANADA) NOMINEE FOR LISA BROKOP'S "HOW DO I LET GO"
TWO-TIME SESAC "SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR"
SESAC "SONG OF THE YEAR" "NOT THAT DIFFERENT"
"HOW CAN I HELP YOU SAY GOODBYE":GRAMMY NOMINEE "BEST COUNTRY SONG"
CMA NOMINEE "SONG OF THE YEAR"
ACM NOMINEE "SONG OF THE YEAR",
MUSIC CITY NEWS SONGWRITERS AWARDS"TOP TEN FAVORITE SONGS OF THE YEAR"
MUSIC ROW SUMMIT AWARD "BREAKTHROUGH WRITER OF THE YEAR"
NSAI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
SINGLES:
1 --- "HOW CAN I HELP YOU SAY GOODBYE" (PATTY LOVELESS - EPIC)
1 -- "NOT THAT DIFFERENT" (COLLIN RAYE - EPIC)
"PARTY ON" (NEAL MCCOY - ATLANTIC)1 -- DANCE CLUB "IF IT DON'T FIT" (ABIGAIL - GROOVALICIOUS/STRICKLY RHYTHM)
ALBUMS:
"WILD BLUE YONDER" (DIAMOND RIO - ARISTA) PLATINUM LP
"OBG WHY ME BLUES" (THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN -ALLIGATOR)
"HOW CAN I HELP YOU SAY GOODBYE" (LAURA BRANNIGAN - ATLANTIC)
"WHAT LOVE IS" (MARK WILLS - MERCURY)
"HOW CAN I HELP YOU SAY GOODBYE" (JEANE MANSON – ARCADERECORDS / FRANCE)
"WHEN PROMISES MADE ARE PROMISES KEPT" (SARAH JORY - RITZ / UK)
"HOW CAN I HELP YOU SAY GOODBYE" (AL JARREAU DOKEY BROS -BLUE NOTE)
"ALL MY ROADS," SHE’S GONNA FLY," A MOTHER AND FATHER’S PRAYER," WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS," THE DREAM SONG," AND "THE11th COMMANDMENT"
(COLLIN RAYE - EPIC)
"SOON YOU'LL FLY" (AGE ALEKSANDERSEN -NORSKEGRAM / NORWAY)
"A MOTHERS PRAYER" (MELLISA MANCHESTER)
