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Song of the Week

Artist Spotlight

Courtney Michelle is 13 years old. She is an Honor Student with a 4.0 average at a Christian Academy. She is a member of SAG- Screen Actor’s Guild, BMI, CMA, GCGMA- Georgia Country Gospel Music Association, NACMAI- North American Country Music Association International, American Kids, and her school's Beta Club.

God has proven his words many times in Courtney's life.” All things are possible thru Him who gives you strength!”

Courtney is working in a studio in LA with Jonathan George-JJPZ Talent and Anthony Mazza recording a CD. The Cd will contain songs co-writen by Anthony and Sharon Vaughn, Stephanie Bentley, Paul Williams, John Rich and originals by Courtney.You can hear a few on this myspace. Courtney is also working with 2 song-writers in Nashville. She in writing, performing and recording with Sherry Gough and Steffon Hamulak in Nashville.

She just returned from Branson, Missouri, this summer where she performed at Baldnobbers Theater, Gene Williams Theater and Branson Mall. While in Branson she competed at the Americn Kid's Nationals where she was awarded 2 Gold With Honors,2 Golds and 1 Silver Medallions . Courtney has a motto “Turn nothing down but your collar, because you never know when or where a opportunity may be!” Courtney has trained with the top vocal coaches on both the east and west coast in film, TV, and voice. She has been blessed to have national credits in all.

For more information on Courtney please visit her website http://www.myspace.com/courtneymichelle12

Artist Spotlight

Born a native Texan, Shiela Harrison possesses an original spirit to her singing that is evident in the uniqueness in her voice. Her music background begins in her early years where she performed on her family fireplace. Shiela has attracted songwriters that have provided her with music that fits her style and independence from not wanting to sound like anyone else. Shiela’s music is original with a pop/country flair. When listening to her music, it is clear she feels the very words that she sings and allows her audience to experience the emotions that are brought forth with her performance. She has strong and powerful voice that can demand the attention of those that hear it and coupled with the songwriters lyrics, some of those her own, she provides for an unforgettable feeling. She loves to know that her music can give “goose bumps” to those that listen and enjoy.

For more information on Shiela please visit her website http://www.myspace.com/shielaharrison

Artist Spotlight

The Artist: Elyse Saunders is a fresh young recording artist from Peterborough Ontario, who is rapidly making her mark on the country music scene. From early in her career Elyse surrounded herself with people she could trust and that shared her love for music. Elyse has often referred to herself as just a typical small town girl with a dream and musical passion. To pass her on the street, that is exactly what she would appear to be. To look deeper…and listen to her performances, you quickly realize there is much more to this young talented artist. Her performances far exceed that “small town girl” picture. The emotions and feelings she pours into her songs are deeply rooted and come from a heart that’s mature way beyond her years! She is unwavering in her pursuit to perfect her music and dedicated over a year of searching for just the right producer, musicians and songs that would showcase the rich soulful feel and tone of her voice. The songs she picked would be a part of her life, so they had to be ones she believed in to deliver that raw emotional connection to her listener. In listening to her songs you begin to believe what Elyse believes. Her performance on every song truly comes from her heart and as a listener, you find yourself in that rare experience of living every song…right along with her.

The Album: Elyse Saunders début album of 13 tracks is about love and the ups and downs of life which we can all relate to. Her efforts and trips to Nashville have paid off as the release of this self-titled album is solid proof of her dedication and passion for music that has become such an important element in her life. Upon listening to the album you will find yourself drawn in by each song as all of them capture a different sound and emotion that separates it from the rest that’s out there; as it is a reflection of the many artists and genres she relates to that’s helped to inspire her unique sound. The completed project is the result of some amazing support and collaboration from some of the best talent in country music today. Nashville has welcomed her with open arms, where she’s had the opportunities of working with the likes of, producer/song writer Cyril Rawson, Lisa Brokop doing background vocals, song writers John Acosta, Gary Breit, Don Pfimmer, Darrel Burgess, recording engineer Rob Matson, musicians Glen Duncan, JT Corenfloss, Stephen Sheehan, Howard Duck, David Martin, to name just a few. Like a favorite old pair of sneakers, the album is one of those rare performances that you just never seem to tire of listening to; this collection of songs rekindles those memories we love to revisit again and again.

The Journey: Like any natural talent, music has always been with Elyse. She had been a singer and performer throughout her life but realized at just 16 she was ready to take it to the next level. A high school talent contest in front of all her peers really helped her do just that as she continued getting strings of encouraging responses received from singing competitions across Ontario. Through this journey of competition venues she developed a sense of what she really liked to sing and that was country music. Contests also gave her the great fortune of meeting her biggest mentor Nashville songwriter, Cyril Rawson (song writer/producer). Rawson with many years of experience took her under his wing and helped guide her development into the talent she is today. Together in his studio, on almost a daily basis, they spent months selecting songs and perfecting them before making the initial trip to a Nashville studio. At this time the tracks on five of the songs on Elyse’s album were recorded. From this collection of songs came her first single release to radio (Nobody’s Watchin’). Being her first single radio release, it was a satisfying accomplishment to have gained amazing attention from the programming managers and listeners alike. Also, her official myspace site to introduce herself and her music to the world was launched, bringing in some of her biggest fans and supporters. Elyse then made her début performance in July 2008 when Deric Ruttan gave her the opportunity to open for him at a packed venue of over 10,000 country music lovers. Elyse’s dream was now becoming a reality. This performance was followed by a long list of appearances geared toward promoting her first radio single. In the meantime, Cyril and Elyse returned to his work studio and directed their attention to the next selection of songs that would complete the album. The final trip to Nashville in late October 2008 saw the completion of the recording process and accomplishment of this amazing overall production. Elyse now wants to share this accomplishment and hopes it will serve to increase her rapidly growing fan base. Next she will be preparing for a busy year of touring and beginning the writing process toward her next project as she follows her dream of becoming a star!

For more information on Elyse please visit her website http://www.myspace.com/elysesaunders

Artist Spotlight

People often describe Misty’s voice using imagery rather than musical terms. One listener mused, ”It’s like great whiskey…goes down smooth and catches you off guard; then it fills your head.” Another fan described it as “a spring thunderstorm.” Misty’s voice possesses a quality you may not be able to put into words, but you can bet it will make you FEEL.

As her fluid, emotive alto voice wraps itself around you, an image of Misty on horseback driving cattle in Wyoming is the last thing that comes to mind. The femininity of her flowing, raven hair, translucent skin, and soulful dark eyes makes it hard to imagine her in rodeo arenas and semi trucks. Charmed by her sharp intellect and quick wit during comfortable conversation, it’s quite a contrast to think of her pouring drinks and humoring drunks in a noisy Music City honky-tonk. Misty’s life is rich with these contrasts, and it’s this depth of experience that characterizes her music.

Misty’s home life bred her versatility. Her father was a blue collar country boy, Army veteran, a 6’4” gentle giant. Her mother was from the country club set, a Type A personality, lots of flash in a 4’11” frame. They owned a trucking company. Her business-savvy mom ran the company while the kids were at school. But Misty loved her dad’s side of the business. Every chance she got, Misty rode with him on the routes that ran through rural California. “I couldn’t wait to get away from the city. Up in that big rig with my dad, I didn’t have a care in the world. There was nothing better than to be on the open road, watch the farmers in the fields, be where everybody knew each other and helped each other out. That was where the lyrics of my favorite songs came alive. We sang along with The Hag, Don Williams, Charlie Rich, Ronnie Milsap, Emmylou Harris, Crystal Gayle, and Barbara Mandrell. Those artists and those times built my inner musical landscape.”

Misty was born and raised in San Jose, California. “I grew up in a California city; there was nothing country about it. My high school was right out of the movie ‘Clueless.’ There were maybe three of us in the whole school who wore Wranglers and boots. My friends nicknamed me Yee Haw. Some people are born into that lifestyle. For me, it was a choice.”

Misty and her sister Randi formed a country duo called “Sister Heartache,” and played the circuit of fairs, festivals, community events, horse shows, and rodeos. “My mom drove us all over the state! She always supported our dreams, and taught us to follow our hearts even when fear of the unknown was knocking.” Misty always knew she wanted to sing for a living, but her mom helped her understand what it would take to make that a vocation. “She told me there are two words in ‘music business’…that more is required than simply a love of music. For every successful artist, there are lots of people whose 9 to 5 is to help put that artist in front of an audience. You better understand what they do.”

To learn what was necessary to compete in the music industry, Misty decided to attend Belmont University in Nashville. To pay for college, Misty turned to the Miss America Pageants. She won Miss San Mateo County, and went on to compete in Miss California. Her pageant ambitions had nothing to do with ego. “It was about the scholarship money, and the opportunity for growth as a performer. I approached pageant competition with the attitude needed to excel in a job.” In two years, she made enough to move to Nashville and start at Belmont.

Although Misty was one among thousands converging on Music City to follow their dreams, she quickly found her place above the crowd. Bartending at night to pay for school, she sang wherever she found an open mic, sat in with friends, and was soon playing solo gigs. She caught the attention of Jody Maphis, one of Nashville’s most-recorded instrumentalists, who joined Misty as guitarist and band leader. She became a regular at the Fiddle and Steel on famed Printer’s Alley. Jody introduced Misty to his mother, the great Rose Lee Maphis; she and her late husband Joe, wrote the ‘60’s honky-tonk classic, “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and Loud, Loud Music).” Rose Lee’s encouragement gave Misty both a sense of belonging to Nashville and a connection to the origins of the music she loves. For a while, she took a second foray into two-part harmony when she and Sherilyn Phillips formed the duo, Scarlett Ribbon. Their popularity sparked a CD project produced by singer-songwriter Preston Coley, and attracted label attention.

“It’s finding your center between music and your personal life that will determine your success. I get impatient with myself, but realistically, I’ve made good progress with my music in Nashville, especially since it seems I’ve done it in fits and starts.” After getting her music business degree, Misty married her husband Chris, a Marine who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Also, she joined the staff at Tennessee Donor Services, the primary organ procurement organization for the state. Organ donation had become her personal cause when it touched the lives of two close friends. Misty developed the volunteer program for TDS, and supervised a large volunteer group in Nashville. She was instrumental in the research and development of Tennessee’s online Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, launched in 2008. She recently left the organization, a difficult decision because of her belief in the mission of saving lives through organ donation. But finding her center means focusing on her mission for her music.

“I’m looking for a home on an independent label that believes in country music, and signs artists that don’t fit anyone else’s mold. I’m the only me there’ll ever be, and I want my music to reflect that. I want my music to change people from the inside out, not simply entertain them. I believe music can renew, heal, and inspire.”

Just a few bars into the first track on her latest CD project, and you believe it, too.

For more information on Misty please visit her website http://www.myspace.com/mistyarmour