CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL 2009

CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL 2009

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Festival of Homiletics



I had a blast performing Tuesday, May 21, with Allan Shamblin and
Marcus Hummon at the "Festival Of Homiletics" at the Tennesee
Performing Arts Center. I tried out a couple of new songs from the
upcoming "Prism" song extravaganza. "The Prayers Of An Atheist"
went over quite well with this crowd of many preachers!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Diana Legacy Fund Launch For Children Suffering The AIDS Crisis In Sub-Saharan Africa

On May 15th, I was honored to be asked by Naomi Tutu to present a short film I produced at the launch of the Diana Legacy Fund of the Foundation for Hospices In Sub-Saharan Africa. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the Keynote speaker.



As you may know, I have spent the past several months wrapping up the final stages of completing “Prism,” a double CD that has had me traveling to the far reaches of the globe and back again while singing in several different languages and from many different cultural aspects and paths of faith. I am using my voice as a common thread through these languages and recording songs and hymns whose common theme is the sound of a human voice in spiritual devotion. This ongoing project actually

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowHQualBBand.mov
http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowStreaming01.mov
http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowProjectPCWeb.wmv


It is my sincere hope and desire that everyone pass this piece along and let the song and the faces do the talking.


“Prism” will be released in the fall in the UK and at the end of January in the US.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

These are all the same video...but wanted to make sure you could open it...it's a short video which will debut tomorrow!....I"m speaking tomorrow morning at a lunch with Bishop Tutu....this film will open the lunch...it's for the Diana Legacy Fund....I'm so thrilled it got finished in time! Please copy and paste and send out to anyone who may be moved to donate or get involved in supporting these sweet children.....at the bottom is the schedule for the event tomorrow.......XOXO BNC

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowHQualBBand.mov

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowStreaming01.mov

http://www.memvids.com/nashdig/Sparrow/SparrowProjectPCWeb.wmv

Monday, April 30, 2007

Flashback

Hey Kids! Check out some ancient history on Youtube.....click here!

I love this...remember well the copious amounts of hairspray I had to endure....I was trying not to look like I didn't know the chords on the piano...of course I'm playing along with the record....and lip synching...horrors! But I have to say it's nice to see it resurface. Even if you can't see any orchestra behind me!

BNC

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Prism Tour - UK 2007! * UPDATE *

GIGANTIC has tickets available for all TOUR DATES with the exception of Canterbury. I look forward to seeing you at the shows!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Happy Birthday Leeza



Another recent fun event was my whirlwind trip to LA to sing at Leeza Gibbon's 50th Birthday Party. Leeza had quite a bash with a "Goddess" theme and it turns out she's been a fan of my music for some time. She was as lovely and warm as you would imagine. I sang "Sand & Water" and a few other songs in honor of her mother who is in late stages of Alzeimer's. All around the country Leeza has been creating support centers called "Leeza's Place" through The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation.

Jane Seymore, Debbie Gibson, and many other "Goddesses" were in attendance....as was Ariana Huffington. Here I am hanging out with Leeza and Ariana....fun night! Ok...I want to know what Leeza eats for breakfast...or her birth certificate must be wrong!

Kenny Loggins



I went to hear Kenny Loggins the other night at the WildHorse Saloon here in Nashville. Kenny and I wrote two songs for his new release "What About Now" which has just been released. Kenny wowed the audience with hit after hit...I forgot he wrote "Christopher Robin!" Anyway...he did one of our songs...a Gospel shouting song called "That's When I Find You"....it rocked!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

TARA and The Future of Philanthropic Touring

Hurray! I've been dreaming for years about an organization such as TARA! "Philanthropic Touring" has been a wonderful way for me as an artist to create and expand my fan base while also participating in the generating of much needed funds for worthy causes.

Working with Robert Goldman and raising money for Eden Florida has been a joy. Deeply committed to making the artist feel like a King or Queen, Goldman has always put together an event that creates a "win-win". To have a national foundation that helps to re-create what Goldman has accomplished for Eden, is a huge gift to artists and deserving non-profits!

From the top artists to the yet-to-be-discovered-up-and-coming "next big thing"....TARA can provide through it's network of knowledge and experience, the opportunity to be shepherded through all the red tape and misinformation that lurks in the world of "charity benefit concerts". The non-profits and the artists will be thankful, but mostly, those in need who will benefit from this source of support will feel blessed to receive the fruits of this harvest.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Getting Higher Choir * June 15 & 16, 2007


Photograph of Shivon Robinsong in Kapasseni 2003 by Ben Fox.

It's an honor and a thrill to be performing with the "Getting Higher Choir". No other instrument rings through the heart more beautifully than the sound of a whole bunch of humans singing! And the spirit of generosity will add a whole other layer of magic to these concerts. The money raised will flow like a river and carry this gift of love to a village in Africa halfway around the world. How much better can the celebration of music get?


Photograph of Alix Goolden Performance Hall by David Lee for Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

April 10th at BBKings in Nashville, Tn.



I had a blast performing for Al Gore at his Climate Project event last night. Myself and Don Henry and Bill Lloyd in the round with Ernest Chapman on electric guitar, Annie Roboff on keyboard, Jessie Friedman on bass and Noah Hungate guesting on a song Annie and I wrote called "Yes Sir No Sir"~ soon to be available for download on my website!

Al was in fine form having come from the swirl of Oscar-winning accolades and we had an opportunity to catch up for a few minutes. Annie told me I should have asked Tipper to sit in on drums...who, by the way looks amazing....I didn't know she played drums? Wow.

Friday, April 6, 2007

Thank You Tullahoma

I had great fun playing in Tullahoma last weekend. My son Ernest and his fiance Jessie were on drums and bass and the multi talented Annie Roboff also made the trip. One of my dear friends Kathy Tugman jumped in on background vocals on a few tunes too. What a lovely audience we had! It was really nice to jump in the car and take a little road trip to Tullahoma~just get out from under the headphones and play some music....in the middle of weeks of editing and mixing....it was the perfect one-gig-mini-tour!

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Prism Tour - UK 2007!

GIGANTIC has tickets for all tour dates with the exception of Canterbury.

NOV
7 WED SOUTHAMPTON The Brook 023 8055 5366 £20.00
8 THU BRIGHTON Corn Exchange 01273 709 709 £25.00

10 SAT ABERDARE Coliseum Theatre 01685 881 188 £20.00, £17.50

12 MON BRISTOL St Georges 0845 40 24 001 £22.00
13 TUE BASINGSTOKE The Anvil 01256 844 244 £20.00
14 WED MILTON KEYNES The Stables* 01908 280 800 £25.00
15 THU MILTON KEYNES The Stables* " "

18 SUN NOTTINGHAM The Albert Hall* gigantic.com £23.50
19 MON BIRMINGHAM Town Hall* 0121 780 3333 £20.00

21 WED EDINBURGH Queens Hall 0131 668 2019 £20.00
22 THU PERTH Concert Hall 0845 612 6313 £20.00, £16.00

25 SUN YORK Grand Opera House 0870 606 3595 £20.00
26 MON MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall 0161 907 9000 £19.50, £17.50

28 WED GATESHEAD The Sage 0191 443 4661 £23.00

30 FRI CANTERBURY Gulbenkian* 01227 769 075 £20.00, £18.00

DEC
1 SAT LONDON Barbican 020 7638 8891 £27.50, £25.00, £10.00

*IRELAND*

DEC

5 WED BALLYBUFEY Jackson's Hotel 0353 749131021
6 THU BELFAST The Black Box 028 90323744
7 FRI DUBLIN Whelan's 00353 147 80766

Friday, March 16, 2007

Newsletter Vol.1

Dear Fans and Friends!

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~!



************************************************************
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

*************************************************************
June 9th 08:00 PM
Beth Nielsen Chapman & the Mobile Symphony Orchestra
Mobile Saenger Theater
6 South Joachim Street, Downtown Mobile, AL.

*************************************************************
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
************************************************************
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