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Drew Woodruff  - Pianist and Composer

Drew Woodruff is the closest thing you’ll find to a modern day young Mozart. He started piano at the age of 5 and from age 7-10 took private piano, improvisation and music composition lessons with our producer Conrad Askland.

“I have never met anyone so young who had such a firm and diverse grasp on the language of music”, says Askland. “If he keeps his focus on the art, he will be one of the greatest music talents that the United States has produced”.

At the age of 7 Drew had already mastered the easier Mozart piano sonatas and by age 10 was not only playing the more difficult pieces of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart; he was also composing and improvising in the same styles! “There are people that claim to be composers, but it’s usually very fluff material at Drew’s young age. Drew is the real deal with a basic understanding of counterpoint, texture and complex harmony at such a young age.”

We will keep this page up as inspiration to other artists and pray that Drew continues his studies to take the world by storm! After 15 years of teaching piano, Conrad Askland stopped in 2002 due to time restraints with his music production and performance schedule. “I will always regret not having the time to continue working with Drew, he reaffirmed by passion for music and reminded me that in the world of music any age has it’s place for respect” said Askland.

KAREN MITCHELL

Artist: Karen Mitchell
Album: Different Eyes
Category: AC Pop/Christianl/AC Alternative
Road Records Catalog #129801
Produced by Conrad Askland
Publishing by (Not Assigned)

Karen Mitchell is a very diverse singer/songwriter with a real insight into the modern day trials of everyday living. Musically her album includes a variety of styles including Southern Gospel, Alternative Rock and Inspirational. On her album you will hear a 50 voice Gospel Choir, Operatic Background Vocals, Classical Orchestrations mixed with Power Rock and overtones of 70’s Pop

Upon the release of Karen’s CD she was immediately signed to a Los Angeles Christian record label. Congratulations Karen!

Karen Mitchell also appears on New Faces ‘95, New Faces Volume Two and New Faces Volume Three. She recorded at Road Records recording studio and was produced by Conrad Askland.

Keyboards and Orchestrations - Conrad Askland. Electric Guitar - Kirk Eipper, Larry Griggs, Mark Marino, Vern Monnett, James Petteway, John Rockwood. Acoustic Guitar - Carol Dinise, Kirk Eipper. Saxophones - Jim Wheeler. Harmonica - Mark “The Shark” Parker. Pedal Steel - Kirk Eipper, Vern Monnett. Latin Percussion - Adrian Hernandez. Mandolin - Kirk Eipper. Choirs - Shenanigans Youth Theatre Group, Emmanuel Temple Choir, Church of the Valley Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir. Background Vocals - Frances Busby, Pam Conley, Cathryn Howard, Jacci Lane, Mary Lyles, Karen Mitchell, LaMarche Mosley, Paula Sexsmith, Jaye Sooter, Paul Taylor. Bass - John Curran, Chris Larson, Cliff Saunders, Jaye Sooter, Dave Wilson. Drums - Rhys Clark, Jim Klingler, Rick Kurianski.

WENDY SCHALE

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

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.

CAROL DINISE and CATHRYN HOWARD
Catholic liturgical and praise music

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

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.

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.

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

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”.

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.”

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Rachel Jeffries

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

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

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.

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.