Please bear with me as I sort out my web site. It's pretty, but it's proving to be a bit difficult for some of you to navigate. So I’m going to completely revamp and I am working on bringing everything up to speed and will be updating you more regularly.
Lots going on in my world! My son Ernest is getting married in May, I'm drowning in the details of finishing "Prism" which is likely to be either a 2 CD set or an extended length CD….coming out this fall. There's to be a big tour of the UK in November--dates and locations will be posted very soon and those who are on this sign up list will get the info first this time!
Because of my intense mixing, mastering and completing artwork schedule this spring…along with my son’s wedding thrown in---I made the executive decision to not attempt to squeeze in the CREATIVITY STARGAZE this year. We will be back bigger and better next year as usual at the Vanderbilt Observatory and in deferring it til then I will avoid trying to juggle way too much. Please forgive me—I decided at the end of 2006 that I was going to start pacing myself a bit more so that I can stay as healthy as I am! I also thoroughly enjoy preparing for the STARGAZE with Rocky Alvey (who manages the Observatory) and I want to give it my full attention—so next year! Stay tuned for details on CREATIVITY STARGAZE 2008!
So here’s a bunch of catch-up news starting with Jan 07:
I pre-taped a segment on the Aled Jones show when I was over in the UK in January. Those of you who are from across the pond know Aled. He's a wonderful interviewer....you can go online and check out the show if you missed it.
Last November I recorded a live DVD at St. Paul’s Cathedral with the London Oriana Choir which has been released in the UK on BNC Records/Proper Distribution, but is also going to be available on my website very soon!
The DVD “If Love Could Say God’s Name” is also available in the UK, either in the shops or you can download several stereo mixes from the UK Itunes. Please check it out. itunes UK
I had a great sold out tour in January in the UK starting with jumping off the plane and driving straight to the “Heaven And Earth Show”! Here I am in full jet lag….what devotion! What bravery! I was so well treated though and truly loved meeting Gloria Hunniford.
From there it was on to the Celtic Connections. The profoundly wonderful London Oriana Choir conducted by David Drummond London Oriana Choir traveled up to Glasgow and sprung up on stage in the middle of my show at the Royal Concert Hall. What a dream to sing with all those voices! And this is only 35 of them! On the DVD at St. Paul’s you can hear 100 of them! Here’s a shot of us at the soundcheck in Glasgow:
In addition to my own (almost sold out!) show in Glasgow, I got to perform at the “Hands Across The Water” show….and “Heads Up For The Wrecking Ball” was the closer! Wow! What a band! Here’s a picture of all of us sirens singing together….
And I got to see the last bit of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s last set…wow…she’s got some amazing new songs…..here I am giving her a drive-by hug after her show at the Royal Concert Hall….
Also…while on tour in January, I pre-taped a segment on the Aled Jones show called “Good Morning Sunday”. Those of you who are from the UK know Aled. He's a wonderful interviewer and an artist as well....you can go online and check out the show if you missed it.
Google Alert - Beth Nielsen Chapman
Facing the Great White By knackeredhack It’s not a shark, but the blank page that can induce a sense of failure in a writer, observed US singer-songwriter, Beth Nielsen Chapman today on BBC Radio. She said the hardest work you may do as a writer is staring at that blank space ... the knackered hack.
The tour was great fun….aside from being my drummer and background vocalist and sometime-roady, my son Ernest opened up for me most of the shows-except for the Royal Concert Hall which was Teddy Thompson opening (he was just great!) and a couple of other shows where the very talented Kieran Halpin stepped in as Ernest was floored for a few days with the flu. At least he didn’t give it to his Mom! Here’s Ernest –a picture taken by your typical run of the mill stage-Mom!
Then from the UK, I went to South Africa to put the strings on my new project. The studio was incredible! Here’s a picture of the pipe organ along with the the string session conducted by the incredible JB Arthur.
During my visit to Johanesburg I visited C.O.P.E.S. which is a community-based non-profit organization in Soweto, Johannesburg, which primarily focuses on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. They just do amazing work there….I was overwhelmed with the beauty and resilience of these smiling children…all orphaned by AIDS. The were presented with black baby dolls which were donated. I was struck with how quiet and respectful they were as they waited in an orderly fashion for their turn to pick out a doll.
Upon returning home I was scheduled to perform wih Brenda Lee, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welsh, and Suzy Boggus on Feb. 23rd to raise money for the Chet Atkins Community Foundation. My good friend and great songwriter Annie Roboff came by to hang with me and Little Miss Dynamite~!
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April 14th: Performing at the Tennessee Allliance for Progress Celebration and Long Haul Awards.
……….to people who have worked especially hard in the previous year to make Tennessee a better place for all its citizens.
Rev. James Lawson, civil rights pioneer, to be a keynote speaker at the
event.
Unitarian Universalist Church
1800 Woodmont Blvd
7 to 10 pm
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June 9th 08:00 PM
Beth Nielsen Chapman & the Mobile Symphony Orchestra
Mobile Saenger Theater
6 South Joachim Street, Downtown Mobile, AL.
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June 15 & 16, 2007 Concert with the Getting Higher Choir
Alix Goolden Performance Hall
907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC
For tickets, contact Gloria Hansen
at (250) 995-8731 or tickets@gettinhigherchoir.ca
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In closing I just want to say thank you all for writing. I wish I had time to answer each one individually but it's usually 3 am. and I'm already in trouble from lack of sleep so if you don't hear a response please know that I make every effort to read the "notes-to-beth" and I'm especially moved at some of the amazing stories from you all.
There's so much more I'd like to fill you in on...but if I don't actually finish this collection of songs I may have to move to another planet!
Stay tuned for dates to be confirmed for the September UK press tour and the November UK concert tour!!!
Also…much more to come on the “Sacred Spaces Tour”……if you have a “Sacred Space” to suggest or request… email Amy at aforbnc@mac.com". We will be putting it together over the next several months. My vision is to perform in all sorts of Sacred Spaces…from Cathedrals to Forests to Synagogues and Observatories…wherever the spirit moves me!
XOXOXOXOX BNC
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