Deanna

This multi-talented musician has established a reputation as a powerful, earthy roots-rock singer, a talented guitarist and distinctive songwriter. She's won a loyal audience for her ability to craft songs about the Chesapeake Bay to include elements of rock, blues, R&B, pop, country and gospel into a distinctly individual style that has earned her the accolade of musical Nirvana. Chesapeake, Dove's first album and her first for her own label, Island Girl Records, marks a substantial statement in presenting Dove in the role of interpreting her life on the Chesapeake Bay. She puts an unmistakably personal spin on this set of songs that also draws a universal feeling of living anywhere on any body of water. "What I was going for was to make a record that showcased my influences and diverse style throughout my music career to date. Growing up on the Patuxent River in Broomes Island, Maryland, she and her sisters formed the Dove Sisters Trio. They were a very popular Sunday morning entertainment feature on the first local radio station in their area, WMJS of Prince Frederick, MD. The young trio sang popular southern gospel hymns and Deanna accompanied her sisters with beautiful harmonies and her electric guitar. The sisters moved on performing at talent shows, telethons and church revivals. Deanna's search for her own sound was first found in artists such as Elton John and Al Green, mixed in with the blues and the early recordings of Bonnie Raitt and Etta James. Other musical greatness like Joan Armatrading, Tom Waitts, Van Morrison and John Hiatt helped influence and form what has become Deanna's unique songwriting and vocal style. Her lifelong experiences on the Chesapeake Bay contribute to her compositional writing style. Dove later began singing with local bands performing around the local club scene and subsequently pursued her passion for music while pursuing her other passion teaching fitness classes as well as teaching computer software classes around the country. Having covered both the male and female lead vocal fronting positions for numerous bands and after the 1998 break-up of her band, "Deanna Dove & Blues Power," Dove decided to establish herself as a solo artist. Dove went full time in 2000 and the debut CD entitled "Chesapeake" was released in May 2003. The title track, "Chesapeake" was the theme song for the "Voices of the Chesapeake Bay," a Sunday morning radio program on WRNR 103.1, Annapolis, MD, and has been released on the 2005 compilation disc entitled, "Songs of the Chesapeake Bay." Dove has performed live on "Damien's Diner," WRNR 103.1 and on WRYR 97.5. "Chesapeake" is also played on radio stations in Belgium, the Netherlands and St. Croix. Dove has been on her "Chesapeake Tour" since the release of her CD and is currently touring regionally with plans to continue touring locally in an activist role in support of public awareness for restoring and preserving the Chesapeake Bay. -- 2003 "Rivers Flow To The Sea" Honorable Mention John Lennon Songwriting Contest "A boating babe with a voice as clear as the sea." - Jill Malcolm, Nor'easter Mid-Atlantic Magazine, 2005 "The rich-voiced Deanna Dove" -Pamela Murray Winters, Washington Post, 2005 "The soulful singing of Deanna Dove has finally been captured on the new CD "Chesapeake"this CD is the perfect soundtrack to living pleasantly. - Chesapeake Music Guide, 2003 "An Ebullient Gem: This vivacious Island Girl serves up a delightful mix of originals and covers that conjure up dreams of cool colors and comforting sensations. The inherent blue of the lovelorn lyrics of Eric Kaz's "River of Tears." The warmth of a summer breeze with a hint of salty spray coming off the Chesapeake." The get up and dance, shake it don't break it, more boogie, less woogie effervescence of "Jam Up and Jelly Tight." The good old fashioned under appreciated enjoyment of life aboard the "Lula J." I give this CD two thumbs up, because strictly speaking, that's all the thumbs I have. But if I had more, I'd be all thumbs!!" - CD Baby.com reviewer, 2003