Archive for August, 2007

Wendy Schale - Christian Piano Solos

Posted in Christian, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

WENDY SCHALE

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Artist: Wendy Schale
Album: To God Be The Glory
Category: Christian Solo Piano
Road Records Catalog #059801
Produced by Conrad Askland
Publishing by Lexicon, Gaither Music and Lillenas Publishing

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Wendy Schale is authentic and studied in her delivery of classical gospel piano stylings. These simple Gospel songs are enhanced with rich chord substitutions and intricate passages embellish on each theme. Wendy’s album is a love offering and Christian ministry and her passion is deep felt in this recording.

Wendy is a Christian piano instrumentalist from the High Desert of Victorville in Southern California. Although not on a full time tour schedule, this High Desert musician does perform at churches on the West Coast and Mid-West.

If you like Ferrante and Teicher or Liberace, and you like Gospel melodies, you will absolutely love these powerful performances by a very gifted pianist. The album was recorded at Road Records recording studio and engineered by Conrad Askland.

First Baptist Church of Hesperia, CA - Southern Gospel Choir

Posted in Christian, Bands on August 1st, 2007 by admin

First Baptist Church of Hesperia, CA - Southern Gospel Choir

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Artist: First Baptist Church Of Hesperia, CA
Album: Sharing Jesus Through Song
Category: Contemporary Southern Gospel
Road Records Catalog #129702
Produced by Conrad Askland
First Baptist Church of Hesperia brought together it’s three leading worship groups to collaborate on this album. This album is straight ahead Southern Gospel and an outreach and ministry tool for the church.

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The three praise and worship teams on the album are “Creation” (a soulful trio), “Sounds of the Spirit” (an all female ensemble with rich harmonies) and “Sweet Fellowship” (a powerhouse male quartet). Most of the pieces feature traditional barbershop type harmonies. As a ministry tool each vocalist gets a good amount of solo time to deliver his/her message.

Musically the project is very upbeat and deeply rooted in the Southern Gospel tradition. If you like the Gaithers, chances are you’ll enjoy this album. This album was recorded at Road Records recording studio.

Carol Dinise and Cathryn Howard - Catholic Church Music

Posted in Christian, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

CAROL DINISE and CATHRYN HOWARD
Catholic liturgical and praise music

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Artists: Carol Dinise and Cathryn Howard
Album: One Body In Christ
Category: Catholic Liturgical
Road Records #RR019801
Produced by Conrad Askland
Publishing by World Library Publications

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Album: Come Celebrate
Category: Catholic Praise and Inspirational
Road Records #RR029601
Produced by Conrad Askland
Publishing by Dinise/Howard Music

Carol Dinise and Cathryn Howard specialize in composing new music for Catholic masses. Their lyrics are insightful and blend perfectly into a variety of applications for both regular services and special church functions

Musically “Come Celebrate” features an eclectic blend of acoustic and electronic arrangements, some being very ambient in nature. “One Body In Christ” has a Southwestern flavor to it with Latin Percussion, lots of acoustic guitars, and beautiful choral arrangements arranged by Carol Dinise.

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Both women were featured on the Road Records Release New Faces ‘95 and Cathryn Howard performed one cut on New Faces Volume Two.

The vocal blend between these two women is beautiful and fluid. The melodies on these projects are very strong and easily sung by congregations. In live situations they perform together with a 12 string acoustic guitar backup performed by Carol Dinise.

“Come Celebrate” was picked up for nationwide distribution which prompted the recording of their second album “One Body In Christ”. This second album was also put in distribution, as well as being published for use by choral groups across the country. Both albums were produced by Conrad Askland.

Carol and Cathryn lead mass at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Victorville, CA. They are also featured performers for the yearly National Educator’s Conference, Knights of Columbus national conventions, and special masses throughout Southern California.

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The title cut from “Come Celebrate” was picked up by Trinity Records for inclusion in it’s nationwide compilation of Catholic praise music entitled “New Music for a New Age”. This song was one of only two on the compilation that were accepted “as is” and not re-recorded.

Many of the vocal and orchestral arrangements on the second album were scored by Carol Dinise.

For new artists thinking about recording an album, these women are excellent role models for what can be accomplished when the vision of the music is clear cut, and the artists are willing to roll their up their sleeves and work hard at developing their music both live and in the studio!

At Road Records Recording Studio, we reverently call these two “The Catholic Chicks”!

Monty Jackson - Christian R&B

Posted in Urban and R/B, Christian, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

Monty Jackson

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Monty Jackson is an extremely talented vocalist, songwriter and producer. He was part of the well known Christian group “The Jackson Family Singers” and has previously been with both Word and Dove publishing.

He is featured on the Road Records recording studio release New Faces Volume Three with “Today” and “When You Believe In Heaven”. He is also a featured background vocalist on the Road Records CD release of Angie LaDuke “There Once Was Love”.

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His wife, Patti Jackson, is also a very talented vocalist and performs a duet with Monty on New Faces Volume Three. Conrad Askland says: “Monty Jackson is one of the most talented and intellectual artists I have ever met and he improves people’s lives wherever he goes. He is powerful and extremely driven.”

Paula Sexsmith - Contemporary Christian Pop

Posted in Pop, AC and Rock, Christian, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

Artist: Paula Sexsmith
Album: Worry ‘Bout Nothin’
Category: Contemporary Christian
Road Records Catalog #RR62599
Produced by Conrad Askland
Publishing by Askland Publishing (ASCAP)

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Paula Sexsmith delivers powerful dance and funky pop in her debut album “Worry ‘Bout Nothin’”. A mixture of hip hop grooves, classical orchestra, R&B and electronica makes this project a powerful testimony to a wide range of listening audiences.

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Her own personal witness and energetic wit make Paula not only a strong performer, but a first rate demonstration of the beliefs and core values that drive her ministry

If you like praise music and you like slammin’ funky beats, you will most likely love this album!

Paula lives in the Los Angeles area and has been part of the Calvary Chapel worship team for many years. She currently attends and performs for the Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.

Pour Me Out Lord, one of the cuts on her album, is also featured on the Road Records compilation CD New Faces Volume Three.

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In answer to the number one question about Paula: Yes, it’s true, that is really her name! Paula’s album was engineered at Road Records recording studio and produced by Conrad Askland.

Keyboards and Orchestrations - Conrad Askland. Acoustic Guitar - Kirk Eipper, Larry Griggs. Electric Guitar - Sean Clavin, Vern Monnett, James Petteway. Harmonica - Mark Parker. Horns - John Noxon, Jim Poster, Jim Wheeler. Violin - Craig Eastman. Cello - Mark Noreyko. Latin Percussion - Adrian Hernandez, Anthony James. Background Vocals - Monty Jackson, Patti Jackson, Paula Sexsmith. Bass - Dave Wilson. Drums - Rhys Clark, Rick Kurianski. Voice Overs - Chad Sells, Cory Sexsmith, Rev. Christian Sorenson, Shenanigan’s Children’s Choir.

Review from Christian Music Review Headquarters
1/11/00

I don’t often come across music by independent artists that is this expertly produced. “Worry ‘Bout Nothin’” showsan excellence in production that is a pleasure to hear, allowing the music to be a very nice medium for delivering her messages of worship, praise, encouragement, and prayer

If I didn’t know better, the expertise obvious in some of the complicated arrangements of strings, piano, percussion, and voice would almost lead me to believe Michael W. Smith had a hand in its production. Worry ‘Bout Nothin’ was a pleasant surprise, one which I suspect will spend some time in my car CD player. The songs are well sung and purposeful, and the production work on the CD is second to none. If you have the opportunity to do so, I encourage you to listen to this CD!

Bryan Beavers - Christian Rap

Posted in Hip Hop and Rap, Christian, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

Bryan Beavers

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Bryan Beavers performs original hardcore Christian rap. Very open and on the edge, his delivery is powerful and his lyrics forceful and full of conviction.

He has recorded three demos at Road Records recording studio and will be featured on our CD compilation New Faces Volume Four. Thick orchestral music orchestrated and produced by Conrad Askland.

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Temple Baptist Church - Holy Fire Christian Choir

Posted in Christian, Bands on August 1st, 2007 by admin

Temple Baptist Church - Holy Fire Christian Choir

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Holy Fire Christian Choir The Holy Fire CD release was mixed, mastered and released by the Road Records recording studio. The CD is a mix of original and remakes of Christian songs for Choir and solo singers.

Vocalists: Norma Blanc, Adam Cameron, Stephanie Cameron, Scott Chase, Becky Markley, Jamie McCook, Tiffany Redden, Michael Trusch and a special appearance by Kassidy-Lynn Redden.

The CD was recorded by Scott Chase, produced by Scott Chase and Michael Trusch, and mixed/mastered by Conrad Askland.

CD Tracks:
1. My Redeemer Lives
2. Pure Joy
3. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
4. No Reputation
5. Shout To The Lord
6. Walk By Faith Not By Sight
7. Show Me The Way
8. God of Wonders
9. All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name
10. Holy and Anointed One
11. Better Is One Day
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

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Producer’s Note: When we first started this project I don’t think any of us realized how difficult it would be. It has been a challenge for all of us and has made us better musicians and people. After nearly seven months, we know that our labor is not in vain. I offer my most heartfelt thanks to the team and to Temple Baptist Church for your support. Hey team, are you ready for the next one!!?? - Scott Chase (aka “Slave Driver”)

From the Pastor: This project has been a dream of ours for some time now. Not because we want any prestige or accolades. This project is not about any of us. It is however, all about how awesome our God truly is. It is our prayer that each one of these songs will help you praise the Lord throughout the week. The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people and that our praises are sweet incense to Him. - Pastor Michael A. Trusch

Rachel Jeffries - Christian Piano

Posted in Christian, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

Rachel Jeffries

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Rachel Jeffries is a church music leader and worship pianist. Her piano album was a straight 70 minute piano improvisation to be used as a background for prayer and mood setting for worship.

This was put into commercial duplication. Art design by Dan Sauer, engineered by Conrad Askland.

Production Notes from Conrad:
For this recording Rachel wanted to play straight through uninterrupted. I knew there was no way to make it a full seventy minutes straight without a single mistake so I recorded the piano outputs analog and at the same time tracked a midi signal from the piano. I used Pro Tools TDM which has a resolution of over 900 parts per quarter note so I didn’t think an accurate midi playback of the performance would be a problem.

After recording I went through the midi playback and edited any errors or timings that weren’t 100% smooth. There’s no magic trick to this, you have to edit each note by hand and by ear. In the process of recording I became very familiar with Rachel’s style and chord patterns so it was much faster for me when it came time to editing. Most of the time I could see immediately which note was off or what timing needed to be nudged.

In the final we ended up going with the midi playback. I used the roland SX piano card, I think patch #4 or #9 with a Real Verb plug in by Kind of Loud Technologies. I did some subtle eq touches, a slight stereo delay panned left and right (barely audible) and Master X 5 band for final mastering.

The end result was a very smooth track - a seventy minute track!

PD Westman - Pop/AC

Posted in Pop, AC and Rock, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

PD WESTMAN

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PD Westman makes his Road Records debut on the CD compilation New Faces Volume Three with his song “Shelter”. The piece is a very high energy AC/Pop song with a funk horn arrangement which could be compared to Peter Gabriel’s smash hit “Sledgehammer”

Westman’s music is very spiritual and the depth of his lyric writing could be compared to that of pop music artist “Sting”. “Shelter” was written by PD Westman, and engineered at Road Records recording studio by Conrad Askland.

Karen Etheridge - R&B/Spiritual

Posted in Urban and R/B, Solo Artists on August 1st, 2007 by admin

KAREN ETHERIDGE

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Karen Etheridge makes her debut on the Road Records recording studio artist compilation CD New Faces Volume Three with the songs “If This Love Came True” and “Higher Power”.

“If This Love Came True” is a power ballad ala Celine Dion and “Higher Power” is a bluesy Lousiana Delta R&B tune. Both songs were written by Karen Etheridge and producer Conrad Askland.

Both songs are honest cries for hope and the triumph over negative thinking. The pieces could be considered religous cross-over in nature and would be ideal for placement into motion pictures.

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Karen Etheridge is a singer from Spring Valley Lake California located in the high desert near Victorville. She is a regular performer locally and performs often at churches in the high desert.

UPDATE: Summer 2001. Karen Etheridge has just completed her solo album “Love Story. It is a collection of her favorite pop and spiritual songs from the 60’s to 80’s. Karen has been a regular soloist at Religious Science churches in the Southern California high desert, especially the Apple Valley Church of Religious Science and the Hesperia Church of Religious Science.

Karen Etheridge is a featured vocalist on the the Road Records album release for Carlotta Diggs. She relocated to Colorado in the fall of 2001 to reunite (and remarry!) her first love. Now THAT’S a love story!

September 2001 - Conrad Askland has written a movement of the Catholic Mass, the “Agnus Dei”, especially for Karen Etheridge and Carlotta Diggs. The piece will be featured on the Road Records compilation CD release New Faces Volume Four.

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