BOBBY O'NEAL
“There's a story behind every song. Some of the stories in my songs come from my own
life...some of the stories belong to others. But each one of them teaches something” ---Bobby O'Neal Bobby's singing and songs have been described in many ways, “Johnny Cash with a splash of The Band”, “there's a little bit of everything in there” and “powerful!” are some of the comments from his fans. Bobby is the eldest of 5 children to parents who had been part of the great dust bowl migration of the 1930's, his Dad from Texas and his Mom from New Mexico. Although he has a Bachelor's Degree in Theology with a desire to be a minister, he has been a professional carpenter all his life and his ministry has been all volunteer. Bobby O'Neal is an unsigned independent artist. Bobby began playing and singing in a Santa Clara Valley, California garage band in the early 70's. During college, he sang at weddings at the Mission San Juan Bautista and began writing a few songs here and there. . . . He volunteered and played at the very first Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California, while he was a student at Gavilan Community College in Gilroy. Since then Bobby has played in venues of just about every size from living rooms in California, Washington and Tennessee and churches across the country to open mics and Farmers Markets in Memphis to clubs along Music Row in Nashville, the River Arts Festival in Memphis. He was honored to sing for the Chief's Council for the Mississippi Choctaw Nation in 2012. Today, Bobby writes songs that either reflect spiritual values or chronicle events in history (Americana) that should be remembered. Check out samples of his music at: www.Reverbnation.com/Bobbyoneal http://www.facebook.com/Dittymaker For booking information: Bobby O'Neal 335 Emily Rd. Oakland, TN 38060 (360) 632-5591 KARI FLESKES
Songwriting is my favorite kind of creative art. Lyrics have been a passion since I wrote my first song at age eight. In the last few years, my original music has won several online competitions, including Yobi TV's Singer/Songwriter of the Year in 2011. My songs have also been awarded several gold medals for Best Original Song, Favorite Artist Award, Best Female Songwriter, among other web-based awards. You can listen to some of my music at reverbnation.com/karifleskes and you can follow me on facebook.com/karifleskesmusic
MARTY RAY
From Marty Ray:
“My Mother always said when I cried as a baby it sounded like a song, I took her word for it. She always said God blessed me with a voice that could stretch beyond boundaries of color, politics or religion. Most of my other family didn’t like my singing and always urged me to pursue other things. I guess for most of my life I took their word for that as well. My Father always supported me in all my wild endeavors as long as I could convince him that I would work hard at it, I owe all that I am today to my dad. I’ve had a passion for singing my whole life and have always dreamed of being on that stage blessing an audience with my song. One day this dream will come to fruition. Music has always been a pivotal part of our family. It seems that the majority of my family was blessed with a musical talent of some kind. There have always been those certain members that everyone respected as the “real” talent and they alone deserved success, I wasn’t one of those. They were the singers, players, worship leaders, and, in some cases, preachers of our churches. I was never welcome on the platform of performance because I didn’t have the gift they had, or I didn’t dress, act, or look the way they thought I should. I guess, in a sense, I’m the outcast. I couldn’t say why some of my family never wanted me to succeed at music or for that matter, anything, but I can say that I’ve always supported them and always will, because I love them. More of Marty's bio a http://martyrayproject.com/about/ KEVIN MACLEOD
When asked what about composing music gives him the greatest satisfaction, Kevin says, "The whole process is magic. Bringing a new thing to the world that people like. The concept of that is crazy."
See http://incompetech.com/ |
TERRY BELL (performing w/ Sam Cooper)
From the first time Terry saw the Nashville sky line in 1988 he knew this is where he was meant to be. The doors on music row started opening right away. He began co-writing with staff writers from Loretta Lynn’ publishing company Coal Minors Music and Tree (Sony/ATV) music publishing. He learned the craft of songwriting from some of the best in the business. He met Jennifer Pierce who wrote “That Old Wheel” for Johnny Cash and was writing with Garth Brooks when they met. He continued to write with new writers and up and coming artist’s when he met soon to be country star Tracy Lawrence. They became good friends and started writing together. It was Terry and Tracy’s songs that helped to get Tracy noticed when he did a showcase at the Blue Café.
(More to follow on christmasride.wordpress.com soon) Contact info: TERRY R.BELL (615) 256-9253 TALENT & BOOKING AGENTS: BETTY CLARK – TLM AGENCY, CHRIS MILLER TALENT / ICE/REDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT, NASHVILLE, TN --------------------------------------------- DAVID TROY FRANCIS
Two time Pulitzer Prize winning composer Ned Rorem says of Mr. Francis: "He plays the right note with the right tone at the right time. (what more can you ask of any performer?) And with this, he adds that indefinable element of himself, which is the magic of all true interpreters."
Mr. Francis plays in recital through out America and has eight cds available including the world premiere recording of Mr. Rorem's Eight Etudes for Piano on the cd entitled The Americans. The Los Angeles Times raves of Mr. Francis’ playing: consistently absorbing whether in lyrical repose or propulsive fury. Mr. Francis is the recording pianist for such films as Pursuit of Happyness, Elegy and the recent re-make of Fame. He has composed music for both film and television and his piano performance can be heard in many major motion pictures. Mr. Francis is the creator, composer, musical director and executive producer of the runaway smash hit musical BARK! BARK! finished a two year run in Los Angeles in August 2006. BARK! raised approximately one quarter of a million dollars for animal charitable organizations. (More to follow on christmasride.wordpress.com ADAM QUINN
Adam, at the age of 3 began playing piano with 1 finger. At 6 he was performing in churches around Memphis area and at the Strand Theater in Millington, TN. Adam, at 15 played keyboard to produce drums and bass on the Quinn's Live CD as well as the piano on all songs.
His song Eternal on the CD is an original composition. At 18 Adam recorded a Gospel piano CD at Ardent in Memphis titled, Gospel Piano. Today at 28 Adam is the pianist at Big Creek Baptist Church at Millington, TN and as a professional pianist performs several nights a week at Silky Sullivan's on world famous Beale Street. Adam plays in his own distinctive style but has a definite touch, of his world famous cousin Teddy Riedel, a piano player and songwriter who played with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis and many others as a studio pianist at Sun Studio, Memphis. Elvis, in 1961 recorded and released the song " Judy " written and released by Teddy Riedel in 1960. Adam has performed in concert with his cousin Teddy and it makes great musical entertainment. Adam lives in Bartlett, TN with his lovely wife Shelby and their 3 year old daughter. Adam expresses his gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ and his humble appreciation to all of the people who give him such delight to hear him play. Contact through: adquinn@yahoo.com subject: Adam -------------------------- EDIE MURPHY Learn about Edie and her music here: http://www.royaltyfreemusicroom.com/about-edie-murphy/ Her Bluegrass musical composition and performance called "Down Home in Bluegrass Country" is in Christmas Ride. 
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BRYAN HAYES
Bryan is an award-winning, Americana songwriter from Memphis, TN. His debut album Just A Man (2004) garnished him a loyal following in the Mid-South, as well as two “Best Of” Memphis Songwriter Awards. His second album Long Hard Road (2006) took Bryan and The Retrievers (his band) to the regional level, with radio play over the Southeast. Bryan's new EP, Tangle Me Up In You (release date April 29.2013), promises to grow Bryan's audience even farther.
Bryan has also contributed songs to several compilation ablums. The Memphis Songwriters Association Members Only album (2010), included Bryan's Military tribute "Soldier's Prayer". In addition, Bryan contributed two songs "Woman (You're Amazing To Me)"and "Small Town Amazing Grace" to the Retriever Records compilation album, B-Sides, Demos & Lies (2012). Most recently, Bryan was part of the Retriever Records' live album, Live At Farmhouse Studio: Retriever Records. The live CD contains "Long Hard Road" (title track from the 2006 release) and"Texas In A Bottle" (from the up-coming EP). In addition to writing and performing, Bryan is a producer and engineer at Farmhouse Recording Studio (www.farmhouserecordingstudio.com) near Memphis, TN. ------------------------------------ More about David . . .[will be on christmasride.wordpress.com next week]
David Troy Francis was born in Memphis, Tennessee and is best known for his steadfast championing and performance of contemporary American music. Now living in Asheville, North Carolina, he is an esteemed concert pianist and recording artist as well as a respected composer, arranger and accompanist. . . . Mr. Francis’ unique and exquisite arrangements of American Hymns have led to two best selling cds: Pieces of My Childhood – American Hymns Revisited & Be Still, My Soul – American Hymns Revisited Volume Two. The latter CD was recorded in the famous Studio A at Capitol Records in Hollywood, California – the recording home of such voices as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. . . . . Mr. Francis founded and continues to support The Marguerite Francis Music at Noon Concert Series in Bartlett, Tennessee, at the Bartlett United Methodist Church. This series – named after his late mother - is designed to nurture and support quality musicians and provides performances every Wednesday at noon from September through May. The series recently completed its fourth year and is financially self supporting. Websites: http://www.barbarianrecords.com/ http://www.barkthemusical.com/ http://tmamp.org/ http://www.bartlettumc.org/musicnoon-margueritefrancismusicseries Contact Info: David Troy Francis pianoman9000@me.com DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is a fourth generation singer,songwriter and recording artist. Past generations have performed with Crystal Gayle, Barbara Mandrell and Steve Wariner. He is also a movie composer. Danny has worked on such films as: SECRETS IN THE SNOW, HOMEFRONT, RIGHT TO BELIEVE, CHRISTMAS RIDE etc. Danny was
privileged to compose and perform the theme song: RIGHT TO BELIEVE for the upcoming faith based movie: RIGHT TO BELIEVE. In 2014, Danny Jones will be performing his signature song: RUN in the movie: AT EASE. It is the theme song for that movie as well. Danny was blessed to have won the 2011 USA GEM BEST CONTEMPORARY ARTIST OF THE YEAR award in Nashville, TN. This past February, 2013, Danny Jones was honored to be presented a Lifetime Achievement award from Pres. Obama for his contribution to gospel music and film in Nashville, TN. Danny has just gotten word, that he is again nominated for CONTEMPORARY VOCALIST OF THE YEAR at the MUSIC LOVE AWARDS in LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS next year. This is a very prestigious award show that will also give a teenager a $40,000.00 scholarship to excel in the performing arts. Danny Jones is on the PHB ENTERTAINMENT record label in LOS ANGELES,CA. He is also represented by THE MAULTSBY TALENT AGENCY. Danny Jones travels nationally with his wife, ANGIE, and their three children. His sons make up THE DANNY JONES BAND. MICHAEL BOUSTEAD
Born in Arkansas, and a resident of both the West and East Coasts, Michael Boustead composed a classical piano prelude which has is having its theatrical premiere in Christmas Ride. Michael worked in music editing in film studios of Hollywood and Santa Monica, as well as in the education field. Prelude No. 1 by Michael is on The Americans CD and is performed by David Francis in the film.
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