Local Artist Natalie Brown Releases “Violin Crossings” CD

If a CD ever revealed the sheer talent of an artist, “Violin Crossings” fills the bill. Natalie Brown is a smashing success… dynamic is an understatement. She takes listeners on a journey around the world and leads them to an unfound discovery of the many dimensions of the violin and fiddle.  She captures listeners' attention at the beginning and carries it throughout the entire CD.

The album is composed of folk, Celtic, fusion, rock, blues, jazz., gypsy, and more. Nine of the recordings were written by Brown, and recorded with a number of talented local musicians including Rich Wagor, bass, Craig Erickson, guitar, Eric Douglas, drums, and more.

Brown is the featured artist with Craig Erickson, the Mayflies and the Trollies, and previously performed with blues players in San Francisco.

A local artist from Iowa City, Natalie Brown began playing violin and studying the Suzuki method at the age of five. Instruments she plays are violin, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, piano, accordion, dobro, lap steel, bagpipes, djembe, er-hu, and banjo.  She has a Masters of Music Education degree from UNI, and is the orchestra director at Washington High School where she has taught for the past seven years.

Natalie Brown credits Craig Erickson for his guidance and support in recording this CD. “Violin Crossings” is spirited, lively, upbeat, and fun.  This is a winner!  The album is available on iTunes, CDbaby, Amazon, and in local stores.

You can find her at nataliebrown@hotmail.com, or at http://www.nataliebrownviolin.webs.com.  Contact number: 319-530-7449.

Author Resource and Photo Credits:  Diana Shores, MA, EdS., Author, Ghostwriter, Book/Concert Reviewer Contact: dianashores@gmail.com
Web page: http://moonlitshores.blogspot.com
Copyright 2010

REVIEW: Broadway Star Kevin Worley Dazzles the audience at Brucemore’s Cabaret in the Courtyard

Kevin Worley

Kevin Worley

Cedar Rapids native Kevin Worley performed a three-night show in Cabaret in the Courtyard at Brucemore over the weekend. Worley’s performance at Brucemore was sensational, as he sang, danced, and gave a narrative of his trials and tribulations during his rise to stardom.

Worley said he was influenced at a young age by watching old black and white musicals on television.  During high school he sang and performed in chorus and the West Side Delegation. It was during this time period that he began to take tap lessons. His goal all through school, however, was not to pursue a musical career, but instead, to become an architect.  After attending Coe College for a period of time, he was drawn back into music, and never looked back.

Worley is currently performing in the 1^st national tour of Jersey Boys. Some of his credits include “A Chorus Line” and “42^nd Street” on Broadway, “Mame” at the Kennedy Center, “The Light in the Piazza,” and “White Christmas”. Brucemore was fortunate to bring Kevin Worley, a truly gifted professional, back to his native roots in Cedar Rapids for this three-day performance.

Talented local artists Tim Daugherty on keyboard, Richard Wagor on string bass, and Cassius Goens III on drums backed Worley during the shows. An added highlight was the announcement of the release of The Tim Daugherty Group’s new CD entitled “River of Promise”, with music composed by Tim Daugherty. All proceeds of the sale of the CD will be donated to the Flood 2008 fund, which supports the recovery effort of the devastating 2008 flood in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.

Tim Daugherty, Richard Wagor,
Cassius Goens III, and Kevin Worley

Richard Wagor, Cassius Goens III,Kevin Worley and Tim Daugherty

Worley, a Jefferson High School graduate, is currently living in New York, NY, and can be found on Facebook at Kevin Worley.  

Kevin Worley

Brucemore is located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Author Resource and Photo Credits:  Diana Shores, MA, EdS., Author, Ghostwriter, Book/Concert Reviewer Contact: dianashores@gmail.comWeb page: http://moonlitshores.blogspot.com

Copyright 2010