Marriage Equality in Music
The artists on these pages have incorporated the issue of marriage equality into their work. They are supporters of equality for all, including the acknowledgement of all loving relationships and access to civil marriage for all committed adult couples who wish to marry. We hope you enjoy their work - please encourage and support their art!
Bye June - Shades of Purple
Bye June is a socially conscious band originally from the Washington DC area. They released their first CD My Life Is An Independent Film in August 2011. Bye June’s social message about civil rights in general and same sex marriage in particular is the premise of Shades of Purple story.
Bye June is: Gil Kline: guitars, vocals, composition and lyrics *Gunner Sledgeski: drums * Daniel McGreal: Bass.
Sati Achath is a world-renowned shadowgrapher. His shadowgraphy has been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, CNN, ABC, CBS, and many other television channels in the U.S. and abroad.
For up-to-the-minute news and information about Bye June, please visit: http://www.byejune.com and http://www.youtube.com/byejunetv For more information, please contact: Gil Kline at 240-343-5863 or byejune.band@gmail.com
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MÉLANGE LAVONNEMÉLANGE LAVONNE who burst on the LGBT music scene in 2007 with her anthem/song GAY BASH which aired in various film festivals overseas including the London Gay and Lesbian Film Festival opening up for Queen Latifah's movie "Life Support". Her videos have also been shown in Germany, Spain, and Australia, and she has released her full length CD titled "The Movement" 2008-2009. A Cancer Survivor of Hodgkins Disease, an outspoken, openly lesbian hip-hop artist who has been performing to audiences across the nation, she has taken music to new heights and her personal growth. Her passionate lyrics and intense performances have stirred many across the world. Her song, "Gay Bash", delved into the death of her fictional best friend Kevin at the hands of gay bashers. A compelling music video (directed by Camrin Pitts) of the song was made which made it onto MTV LOGO, where it received frequent rotation, making it a staple on their Top Ten list called "The Click List" throughout the summer of 2007-08 and the year end Top Ten for their New Now Next music show. Her video "Gay Parenting" also known as "I've Got You" was in heavy rotation on MTV LOGO climbing the charts from 2008 into 2009 currently on their Top Ten Click List. Ms. Lavonne released her 3rd video early last month on MTV titled "Domestic Violence" (directed by hilary Goldberg and produced by Jennifer Wright) addressing same-sex domestic abuse sponsored by Power Up and the film crew from “Without A Trace”. Her Album "The Movement" establishes Lavonne's blend of conscious and intelligent hip hop rap, taking on the foes of equality and justice. Her songs tackle issues such as Gay Parenting, Domestic Abuse, AIDS, the Presidential campaigns, discrimination, Global Warming, shallowness, and hip hop hypocrisy, to name a few. In a move that is sure to generate controversy, she states in her song "Future President", that "gays are the new blacks". She has recently finished up filming for UCLA Research Center in Partnership with Nokia for an interactive music video and short film application for their new phone app. Rachel Powell, a well known writer in the entertainment industry brought her friend Ms. Lavonne in on the project and Nokia fell in love with Ms. Lavonne’s song, “Haterz”. They centered the music video and the film around Ms. Lavonne’s on stage persona. She is currently in the studio working on her new album which is untitled. |
Matt Dobkin
Check out Matt's video page on YouTube!
Matt Dobkin is a recording artist in New York City. His cover of Al Green's "Let's Get Married" reimagines the song as a gay-marriage anthem. The song is available now on iTunes and will be featured on a full-length CD of mostly original songs to be released this fall. Visit mattdobkin.com for more!
The Juliettes
Seattle's favorite all-woman self-styled “Pump Rock” band are rocking it for Orientation Equality and Gay Teen Suicide Prevention. With their new single, “Hooray, You're Gay”. The band is not only promoting a powerfully positive message, but 100% of the net proceeds are being donated to It Gets Better.org and the organizations they support.
The Juliettes have a plan: 1, 2, 3, GO!
1 – $1 for 1 DOWNLOAD – it's only a buck!
2 – 2 minutes for 2 STATUS UPDATES over 2 Days – easy, right?
3 – 3 TWEETS over 3 Days – get the word out!
Download now!
Nhojj
New York Times/About Gay Life - "You're music is beautiful." "Indie sensation Nhojj is the artist to watch this year."
The Advocate - "Congratulations on making history." "Gay singer-songwriter Nhojj made music history twice in the past year — first as the only black male ever to win an OUTMusic Award for his song “Love,” and then, more remarkably, hitting the coveted number 1 spot on MTV’s music video chart ..."
BET/Centric TV Soul Sessions - "A soul pioneer." "Soul Sessions congratulates soul singer Nhojj for being a Black history and a gay history first!"
Nhojj is blazing trails... he's peaked at the # 1 position on MTV Music Top 100 and CDBaby Out & Proud Charts. He's made OUTMusic Awards history as the first black male to win an OMA. He's shared stages with Regina Belle, Taylor Dayne, and RENT's Crystal Monee Hall. His work has been seen and heard at the Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival Queer Lounge. With 6 CDs, 5 Singles, and an intimate DVD performance filmed by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote, Nhojj is uncomprimising in his efforts to produce positive, affirming music and videos. His latest is a groundbreaking "Amazing Grace" music video, using the Christian hymn to uplight and inspire gays on the issue of gay marriage. Check out Nhojj at his website: www.nhojj.com
Jaclyn Falk
Singer, Guitarist (Folk/Punk/Ska)
Yes you see an acoustic guitar...but maybe you shouldn't sit down just yet!
Jaclyn has been bringing her passion for music to backyards, basements, coffee houses, and stages since 2002. She sings and plays with enough energy to get the whole room clapping and singing along. And, if you’re too shy to get up and dance, she’ll do enough dancing for you and everyone else in the room, with the hope that you’ll at least find your toe tapping. Driven by the belief that change is possible, Jaclyn uses her voice/music to educate and motivate others. Jaclyn and All We Got! Records, an “action through the arts” community that she runs, are based in Rockland County, New York. You can find Jaclyn on the Jaclyn Falk Music Page. Please be sure to check out the We Support Equality Campaign.
All We Got! Records is currently accepting submissions for a new compilation series entitled "Fight Music." The first in the series will be "Fight Music - Queer Rising," dedicated to the fight for equality. It will include music/spoken word with Equality Minded subject matter. They will be donating a portion of the proceeds to all equality organizations willing to get involved. Involvement can come in the form of funding (production costs), or promotion. They already have some great musicians/spoken word artists lined up to be involved including: Toby Foster (IN), Your Heart Breaks (WA), Onsind (England), Jaclyn Falk(NY), and Diana Wilkins (NY). If you'd like to get involved, they would love to work with you.
Peter Sky and Beedehat
Composer, Singer, Songwriter and Videographer
Peter Sky was born in New York City in 1965. He began studying piano around age 15 and has been developing his kills at instant composition for 30 years. He creates songs you want to sing along to, but the melody is something you never heard before. His harmonies range from ragtime to modal, but his music is wordless. His message is for the heart, not the mind.
Beedehat was born in farm country long ago. He has used a song of Peter's, with permission, to make a little video about how love and marriage is good for everybody. An old couple unites. A couple of fishermen howdy and share a back yard. A young woman walks a lonely street, bouncing off the sadly single and images of wedding gowns in store windows. Seated and somber, she looks up to see the Camper Goddess beaming down at her. The next slide shows them with their baggage by the road. This is followed by the image of a boat that can carry two. Beedehat did not have images of gay weddings available free of charge, so he had to use old material from stock photo collections bought on eBay. The only obviously gay couple is the pair of rock-hopper penguins, who cruise each other and go to a penguin party. Hetero love is shown at the same time as gay love, and you don't always know what's happening. Peter Sky's music can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Shockhound, and most other music download sites. On his publisher's web site there is a free four hour "widget" concert - http://www.techmarkarts.com. Beedehat has a few other Peter Sky videos up on YouTube, but they address other issues. Beedehat's videos are free.
Athena Reich
Singer/Songwriter, Actress, TV Host/Personality, Songwriting Teacher
See Athena Reich performing a parody version of Don't Rain on My Parade.
See Athena Reich performing Love is Love.
Singer/Songwriter, Athena Reich, originally from Toronto, is now based out of New York City. She plays piano, guitar and ukulele and her music is often compared to Regina Spektor, Sarah McLachlin and Annie Lennox. Athena won Outstanding Pop Song of the Year 2009 at the Outmusic Awards for her song Love is Love (the video charted #1 on MTV’s LOGO). Athena’s 2nd video, “The Logical Song” (a remake of the original by Roger Hodgson) was featured on NewNowNext Pop Lab and also charted in the top 10 on LOGO for weeks. Athena has released 5 CDs (the latest is “Little Girl Dreams”) and toured numerous times across North America. She has been featured in The Toronto Star, Breakfast Television, CBC, AM New York, Curve Magazine, Girlfriends and more. Athena has thousands of devoted fans in the U.S., Canada & Europe. Athena’s music and stage presence is electric, outrageously entertaining, and beautifully touching. Check out Athena's music on her website: www.athenareich.com
Celisse Henderson
Singer/Songwriter, Television Performer, Theater Actress
Advisory Board Member Marriage Equality USA
See Celisse Henderson performing The Wedding Bell
Celisse has been working in theater/television since 2002. You may have seen her on television in Rescue Me and 30 Rock, or perhaps you've seen her on Broadway or touring across the USA in Wicked: The Musical. You may have also seen Celisse in her recurring role in Electric Company.
As a solo artist, in October of 2008 Celisse performed at Carnegie Hall for the Leonard Bernstein Celebration. In December 2009 she performed at Defying Inequality: the San Francisco Concert where she debuted a new song called The Wedding Bell. Her performance was one of the highlights of the evening and resulted in standing ovations! See more of Celisse on her website: www.celissehenderson.com
Cheryl & JaVonne
Singer/Songwriters
Cheryl Barclay has been singing gospel and choral music since she was a child. She was classically trained and has sung professionally since the age of 13. Cheryl met song writer/producer JaVonne Armstrong in 2004 and the two released their first gospel CD, We Are Here…To Praise the Lord, in March, 2008. Cheryl’s clear, crisp vocals fused with the urban jazz/funk soul of JaVonne’s music have earned the pair quite a bit of local notoriety, as well as the opportunity to perform at the legendary Cotton Club in NYC. Their music ministry is in its infancy, but has already touched hundreds of people. Their debut project, We Are Here… to Praise the Lord, is well worth purchasing. There is a little something on there for everyone, from jazz, to funk, to house, to a heart-wrenching rendition of Oscar Williams’ Safety – guaranteed to touch one and all. JaVonne is hoping that the Waiting All My Life song and video will be used in a way that will further the marriage equality cause and help to raise awareness. She and Cheryl are also hoping that the song becomes a great hit so that they can donate a portion of the proceeds back to the movement. Cheryl and JaVonne are currently planning a CD which will include Waiting All My Life, other love songs, spiritual music and dance music geared towards our community. They are very aware that there is a real need for their music and artists who are publicly “out”, especially in the "neo-soul" genre and gospel music arenas, where LGBT artists are almost always completely closeted.
David Raleigh
Pop/R&B Recording Artist, Pianist
Watch the I Do! music video directed by Alan Cumming and Ned Stressen–Rueter on YouTube
A born entertainer and bon vivant, Raleigh’s signature soulful vocals and piano wizardry combined with his powerful songwriting has long been a fixture on the New York City nightlife and music scene. Born in Rochester, New York, Raleigh was named a child prodigy in the "Who's Who Book of Music" after the family moved to Seattle. He received a scholarship to attend Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. After being “discovered” and beginning to record while in his teens, as a young adult Raleigh made his way to New York City. The unmistakable sound of Raleigh’s breathtaking voice positioned him as a titan in the New York City music scene. David has toured Europe and Australia; he continues to reach audiences across the globe with his extraordinary talent, captivating persona, and unforgettable songs. Songs related to Marriage Equality on David’s album Beginning Again are: I Do!; One Together; Ready, Willing & Able; and, Gratitude. All songs can be heard on David’s website: www.DavidRaleigh.com and are also available on iTunes, Amazon.com, CD Baby.com and other sites.
Foxxjazell
Hip-Hop Artist/Rapper
Foxxjazell’s Ride or Die Boy (Pride remix) promotes marriage equality.
"I don’t aim to be the best or greatest rapper. I aim to be the voice for my people ‘cause our voice is non-existent in the hip-hop community."
Foxxjazell is a 5’10, caramel beauty who just so happens to be transgender. However, don’t be quick to brush off this young talented rapper because of her gender. Noted as one of the first transgender artists to receive mainstream success, Foxxjazell performed for thousands of people at the world famous Arena nightclub in Hollywood in her teen years as part of the group One20five. She also opened for the likes of Cazwell, RuPaul & Robin S. Point Blank. This kid has garnered the attention of TMZ and XXL magazine just to name a few. She has also been interviewed, with two gay male hip-hop artists, on the Tyra Banks television show. You can listen to Foxxjazell's music on her website: www.FoxxJazellmusic.com
Jack Schell/the SoundWeaver
Singer, Songerwriter, Composer
The Gay Wedding Song: The Gay Wedding Song - Single - Jack Schell
With years of experience as a composer, musician and audio engineer, Jack Schell, The SoundWeaver, creates strong melodies which instantly evoke visually graphic images or “Musical Art Pieces” that for each individual listener can become quite personal and meaningful. When these Musical Art Pieces are coupled together, they form a remarkable stream of imagery that can be termed “Soundscaping” and are often perfect for film scoring. For the SoundWeaver’s imagery to work, Jack’s compositions tend to be mostly instrumental, since lyrics often limit each listener’s interpretation. Lyrical verses are minimal and when used are for accents and emphasis. Jack’s own compositions as well as his collaborations with Earl Slick, lead guitarist for David Bowie, have been used in television for sports shows and for radio and television advertising. Jack has writing, keyboard and pre-production credits on Earl’s CD Zig Zag which features a who’s who list of vocalists including David Bowie, the Cure’s Robert Smith, Joe Elliot of Def Leppard and Martha Davis of the Motels. Jack has released seven of his own creative albums on CD to date: Ageless Music, Blue Aura, Laguna Sweethearts, Snottsdale Serenade, Library One, Air Taxi and Vespa to the Sea. Check out Jack's music on his website: www.theSoundWeaver.com
Jenn August
Musical Philanthropist
Singer/Songwriter, Comic
Check out The Sound of Giving and get a free MP3 copy of Grace on her website www.thesoundofgiving.org
Jenn August started The Sound of Giving so she could use her 3rd album Dreams Alive to raise funds for organizations making a positive difference in the world and helping bring people’s dreams alive around the globe! She feels blessed to be to supporting eWomenNetwork Foundation, Humanity Unites Brilliance, Kiva and the Nicole Ashley King Fund! Jenn performed at the 7th annual Marriage Equality USA Wedding March for Marriage Equality, September 2010, in San Francisco. Jenn is also a certified hypnotherapist and success coach. She is passionate about putting proven strategies into action that will help women small business owners make their businesses more efficient and profitable. Her humor, enthusiasm and honesty inspire and motivate those who hear her speak. You can also find Jenn August, C.H., C.L.S.C., Business Hypnotherapist & Success Coach on her website www.beyondbusinessforwomen.com
Ken Greves
Singer/Performer
Watch Legalize My Name on YouTube, performed by Ken Greves, written by Harold Arlen & E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Ken Greves is a passionate interpreter of the Great American Songbook and a specialist in the music of Harold Arlen. “Arlen’s music resonates profoundly with my musical sensibilities,” says Ken. “Arlen considered himself a jazz composer and wanted to be a vocalist himself. He was unique in that he was unafraid to break out of the standard 32-bar form.” Another important influence on Ken was the voice of Judy Garland. “My fascination with Garland was her uncanny ability to musically shape a song while acting and telling a story. She demonstrated that a song has a beginning, middle and end.” Ken grew up in Nassau County, on the south shore of Long Island, NY. Classically trained as a dancer and actor as well as a singer, Ken performed in a national tour of Singing in the Rain, played Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street, appeared as Luther Billis in South Pacific, and played opposite Nancy Kulp in an English murder mystery comedy. He sang with the Barry Levitt Trio at Iridium and at Birdland with Jim Caruso’s “Cast Party.” In April 2006, Ken launched a new Arlen program, “Last Night When We Were Young - Aspects of Arlen,” at Danny’s Skylight Room in New York City. Accompanied by the Tedd Firth quartet, this popular show comprises songs both well-known and rare, from Broadway, Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley, and explores the many facets of Arlen’s extraordinary contribution to the Great American Songbook. Visit Ken's website: www.kengreves.com
Len Shaffer
Actor/Pianist/Singer/Songwriter
Check out It's Time to Stand Up (with Ron Quesada on guitar) on Len's website: www.LenShaffer.com
Len Shaffer is neither gay nor married. However, he is passionate about marriage equality as a civil rights issue. He wrote the song It’s Time to Stand Up as a result of his anger at New York's highest court ruling against gay marriage, in which the court stressed that gay marriage would be bad for the children. His first version of the song was quite strident and included such lyrics as, "In the name of the Father, they'll deprive you of your rights." He still considers that to be a good lyric from a songwriting standpoint, but he decided that perhaps it was not the best lyric for attempting to have an influence on anyone but the choir. So, in an effort to move in a more positive direction, Len rewrote the song, as it is above, to make it more about love and understanding. Len Shaffer has had a tremendously varied career as an actor, singer, piano/keyboard player and songwriter. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Len has played a wide variety of theatrical roles, has appeared in numerous independent films, and has been a member of several rock bands. Len won "many exciting prizes" on the nationally syndicated trivia show Sports Snapshot!, and for over two years Len was one of the stars of the smash hit music revue about traveling, Are We Almost There?. Len's current/ongoing projects include being a longtime cast member of the children's show Mr. Funnelhead; being a member of the nation’s largest professional caroling group, the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers; writing songs for an original musical, The Ordinary Me; and working on his first CD, Extra-Ordinary. Len has a degree in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Kansas, where he was a four-year member and served as the Executive and Musical Director of The Jayhawk Singers, the university's show choir. Len credits his father, Harry Shaffer, for his passion regarding justice and civil rights.
David Brown Singer/Composer/Lyricist
Gustavo Monroy Photographer
Dave Turan Visual Artist
Check out Nothing Taboo (A Love Song for the Outcast) on YouTube
Indie recording artist David Brown has been affiliated with NYC's Outmusic scene since the mid-90's, when he first started penning songs of protest and freedom. (New album coming soon.) In 2009, he made his first foray into soundtracks, writing for Patrick McGuinn's gay camp classic Eulogy for a Vampire. He has also been exploring musical theater writing; his original cabaret collaboration with artists Dave Hall and Lydia Gaston, This Must Be Midlife, premiered September 2010 in NYC's Chelsea. Check out more of David's music on his website: www.DavidBrownMusic.com
Visual artist Dave J. Turan, aka Uncle Reverend Princess Dave, www.goldenheartu.com is living at the leading edge of the new queer wave into the countryside. Redefining the American Gothic, Turan and his husband, Kelly Keck, were legally married in Toronto in 2005 after buying a farm on the northwest slopes of the Catskill Mountains in 2001. They have since formed the Michael Kudish Natural History Preserve (MKNHP), a non-profit organization which is permanently protecting 100 acres of pristine fields and forests from the threat of future development. And, at the heart of it all: Goldenheart Unidiversity, LLC, (GHU) - a safe haven for consciousness-raising events, a virtual playground for building bridges between folks of all stripes and preferences, a farm and a home away from home. The marriage of Dave and Kelly mirrors the marriage of the preserve and farm. Learn from nature, untouched, and apply it to sustainable mutually beneficial relationships. The majority of Dave’s art doesn’t focus on marriage equality, however, David Brown is his all-time favorite gay folksinger, hence his involvement putting together the music and images for the Nothing Taboo video.
You can also contact Gustavo Monroy by going to his website: www.GustavoMonroy.com
Paul James Frantz
Singer/Songwriter
Listen to If People Like Me Marry by Paul James Frantz
Paul is a San Francisco-based singer and songwriter. He performed with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus for ten years. In 2004, Paul began studying solo performance and songwriting at the Shari Carlson Studio. Drawing on influences from Cole Porter to Mose Allison and Tom Lehrer, Paul writes both satirical and serious songs in a cabaret/jazz style. His songs have been performed at events around the San Francisco Bay Area. Listen to more of Paul James Frantz on his website: www.pauljamesfrantz.com
Sean Chapin
Singer/Songwriter and Musical Philanthropist
Subscribe to Sean's YouTube Channel and watch United We Love, Grand, and Your Time Has Come
Sean Chapin is a songwriter and videographer for the LGBTIQ civil rights movement. Since Proposition 8 passed in California in November 2008, Sean has written and self-produced numerous songs for LGBTIQ civil rights. His work has been geared towards helping to change the hearts and educate the minds of those who don't fully understand LGBTIQ people and towards helping to galvanize the LGBTIQ community to further the movement toward freedom and equality. Sean is also a singing member of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. He wrote a song that the chorus performed on its historic 2010 California Freedom Tour, We Are Coming Out, as the chorus traveled to areas of the state that voted in favor of Prop 8. Sean's eventual goal is to release a trilogy of music albums on iTunes called United We Love as a means to raise funds for, and further awareness of, the movement. He plans to fulfill this goal by the end of 2012, if not earlier. Sean has the album More Equal Union currently available for purchase. All proceeds raised from sales of his songs and albums on iTunes are being donated to LGBTIQ equality advocacy organizations. Check out his website www.MoreEqualUnion.com
Shelly Goldstein
Writer/Performer/Producer/Rock & Song Historian & Lyricist
Watch Shelly’s marriage equality music/comedy video that has traveled the world - and been translated into French by a passionate fan in Belgium
Shelly Goldstein has written for every genre of TV, film and theatre. Shelly has written sitcoms, dramas, films, animation, song lyrics, awards show material, special material. Shelly has also written nightclub act material and jokes for such artists as Steve Martin, Sharon Stone, Liza Minnelli, Harrison Ford, Prince Albert of Monaco and Yoko Ono. Her song lyrics have been heard on G-rated children's animated series and bawdy LOGO comedy specials - as well as in countless cabaret acts, including her internationally-cheered one woman show: ONE FINE DAY: THE GROOVY GIRLS OF THE 60s. She has performed at many of the most respected cabaret venues in the US and UK. She wants to perform at YOUR wedding or civil union! Find Shelly on Facebook, MySpace or email her at shellygoldstein@gmail.com
Sir Ari Gold
Recording Artist
MEUSA Advisory Board Member
Sir Ari Gold is an Award-Winning Billboard Top 10 Recording Artist who has been featured on VH-1, MTV, NPR, IFC, BBC, WOR, Fox News, HBO, and LOGO (with five #1 videos), pushing the boundaries of pop music as an openly gay singer/songwriter/producer. People Magazine says his music, “takes the listener to fresh places” and Clive Davis says, “he writes from the heart.” He has headlined shows in Europe, Canada and over 50 cities in the U.S including his native NYC at Summerstage, Joe’s Pub and Lincoln Center. He is an Independent Music Award Winner, 2x Outmusic Award Winner, Grand Prize Winner of the USA Songwriting Competition, received a “Decade Of Achievement” Award from the LGBT Expo and was knighted by the Imperial Court of New York. His new single and video “Make My Body Rock” is out now with an accompanying 4th studio album slated for a winter 2011 release. See more of Sir Ari Gold on his website:www.arigold.com
Tannyr Denby
Singer/Songwriter
Watch Tannyr's The Equality Song on YouTube
Tannyr Denby is an up and coming singer/songwriter whose music style is diverse. Her repertoire of original songs includes R&B, Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock and Reggae. So, no matter what your favorite style of music is, Tannyr has one for you. Tannyr was born 26 June 1987 in Bedford, TX. At the age of two, her parents moved back to their native city of San Diego. After graduating Helix High School, Tannyr earned a BA in Communication from the University of California, at San Diego. Tannyr hopes to make a difference with her music and is currently pursuing her singing and songwriting dreams independently. Tannyr's website is www.tannyrdenby.com
Tom Goss
Singer/Songwriter
MEUSA Advisory Board Member
Watch Tom's track You Don’t Question Love on YouTube
Check out Tom's www.ThePoliticsofLove.com: Here you will find everything you need to lead your own workshop on marriage equality. This curriculum will help you facilitate an open and educated dialogue -- perfect for college groups, churches and even your own home.
Tom offers up dynamic acoustic rock featuring muscular guitar, hooky melodies and a uniquely powerful voice. If Tom has any patron saints, they are Jack Johnson, Damien Rice, Ben Folds, and Joss Stone. Since April 2006, when he released his self-produced debut, Naked Without, Tom has played scores of coffeehouses, bars, gay pride festivals, house concerts and other events - honing his skills along the way. With the January 2008 release of his second CD, Rise, Tom demonstrated just how far he’d come. The six songs showcase his stylistic flexibility, from the urgent growl of Morning Sun to the sweet and unadorned King of Something Right. The recent music video for Rise barreled its way to #2 on MTV’s LOGO and stuck around for 8 weeks. In April 2009 Tom released his latest album Back to Love. The album continues to build on themes of rebirth and renewal, of love and loss and what lies beyond. Tom's music provides a playlist for anyone on a journey from darkness to light. You can find Tom Goss on his website: www.TomGossMusic.net
Chad D
Original Pop Artist
Listen to Chad D's track "Gay Anthem" on YouTube
Growing up in the Philadelphia suburbs, Chad was always interested in performing. At 5 years old, he would dance to Michael Jackson in the living room and later perform in lip syncs and talent shows. He began writing seriously in April of 2009 while completing his degree at Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He is now back home in Philadelphia and gearing up for a major leap in his career. He recorded his first single – Life Is A Ride – in April of 2010, and is steadily recording songs to complete his debut album. Chad’s mission is to bring happiness to the masses with his uplifting lyrics and catchy melodies. He is branding a new genre – Neo Pop – a mix of pop, rap, dance and rock with a lyrical style never heard before. "I’ll admit, it may seem like I just want to be a rock star – but that isn’t the whole story. Growing up in this world, I’ve learned how we interact with each other as humans. Sometimes, we are nice. Sometimes, we aren’t. I was bullied in school and it damaged me. After years of feeling bad, I’ve learned how to turn it into good. Through my music and lyrics, you can learn too." Check out his website: http://ChadDmusic.com
