Artist Spotlight: Michelle Bonilla

By Andre Mullen

For Brooklyn-bred Michelle Bonilla, her music roots run deep.  Her father, a Latin Jazz guitarist, was instrumental in her exposure to music.  This along with her faith opened her up to working with a variety of urban artists and finally completing her own debut album aptly entitled Phenomenonal.

At the helm of production for the disc is David Hackley Jr. and Michelle’s husband, Lee Jerkins (cousin to über producers Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Freddie “Uncle Freddie Jerkins).  The husband and wife team truly create beautiful music together as made evident by a wide array of songs that range from urban, to pop, to Latin.  On “Sinti (Without You)”, Michelle teams up with label mate Da’ T.R.U.T.H., letting God know that she is nothing without Him.  Backed with an acoustic guitar and stunning, rich vocals, “Sinti (Without You)” keeps the listener in remembrance of the importance of giving God the glory despite all that is going on in life.
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Artist Spotlight: Ohio Avenue

By Stephanie Colucci

Is it wrong to say that I love this band called Ohio Avenue? These boys from Alabama can rock!
They sing about real life and use that to infuse their songs with their love of Christ.  I could easily see them playing next to Kutless, Switchfoot or even Nickleback.  These guys have so much talent and passion that calling them a rock band seems so cliché. Their talent as musicians is only matched by their passion for Christ.  The music world is standing up and noticing Ohio Avenue.  They are getting a lot of attention and we are going to see great things from this band.
 
Their songs speak for themselves. No matter where I am or what I am doing, I love to hear this band’s driving base lines and raw emotion in ‘Never Be You.’ This song makes me stop and listen, with lyrics like “when I kiss your face and stab your back” and “you’re in a boat by yourself but you’re not crying for help” makes me wonder why these guys aren’t playing to sold out crowds. The song ‘Losing Everything’ is haunting when it states, “This air is growing thin, I'm searching for a home again, we find just what we need, when we lose everything.”
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Artist Spotlight: Six Piece Suit

By James Staubes

Six Piece Suit is 5 piece band out of Marietta, GA.  Fusing rock, bluegrass, folk and country, their sound is influenced by Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder, Keane and Coldplay.  The band formed in 2005 when friends Corey Brown and Nathan Wright started writing songs.  

Wright explains the process of forming Six Piece Suit, "Corey and I had written some stuff on our own for a few years before we even started playing together. Then we all got together in the summer of '06 and started really taking the time to write songs seriously."

The song, "Psalm 29," is a folk song full of twists and curves.  It takes a turn as it builds slowly into an all out worship song.  The opening acoustic guitar is reminiscent of the style from The Beatles and then the song builds into a U2 type of anthem.
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Artist Spotlight: Kate Hurley

By Gerard Medicis

Christian music fans have a priceless gift in Worship Circle Records’ artist, Kate Hurley.  Out of Boulder, Colorado, this singer/songwriter has a passion and maturity to her music that convey her extensive experience and commitment to ministry.

Her website explains that Kate has been writing music since she was a little girl.  In the tradition of so many great songwriters before her, she uses acoustic guitar or piano, uncluttered arrangements and the well-developed instrument of her voice, to communicate her songs.

Playing in venues ranging from jails to concert halls, and in several different countries (e.g. the U.S., Russia, Thailand, India, Ireland and Brazil), this seasoned artist has a refreshing depth to her songwriting; like cool water to the thirsty.
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Artist Spotlight: Candlefuse

By Brad McBrayer 

The dictionary would call a candle “something burned to give light.”  Similarly a definition for “fuse” might be “something filled with combustible matter to ignite a detonation.”  Put the two together – Candlefuse – and you get an explosive rock band who intends to share the Light of the World through their music.

From the Northeast Corner of Alabama, and the shadows of Lookout Mountain, comes this guitar-heavy group of guys blasting out a hopeful message through their full-length debut album “Never Go Unheard.”  “Look out!” is appropriate.  You better pay attention, or you might get blown away by their dynamic success, because these guys are for real and sound as if they have staying power.

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