The Team
Nashville voice coach Renee Grant-Williams has a client roster that
reads like a Who's Who of contemporary super stars. The Dixie Chicks,
Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana), Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Christina Aguilera,
Randy Travis, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Linda Ronstadt , Huey Lewis,
Carrie Underwood, Lyle Lovett, Ben Folds, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead,
Charlie Daniels and many,
many more have sought out her expert assistance.
Her Australian clients have included Keith Urban, Sherrie Austin, and Steve Forde.
For the past ten years she has conducted an annual all-day event titled Master Class with Renee Grant-Williams. This popular seminar sells out every year and has touched the lives and careers of thousands of aspiring singers. She has presented workshops for BMI, South X Southwest, North American Folk Alliance, International Bluegrass Association, Songwriters Guild of America. International seminars have included presentations in Argentina, Canada, Denmark and Italy.
Her insights and hot tips on how to use one's voice have been quoted in TV Guide, Cosmopolitan, USA TODAY, Southern Living, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Amusement Business, Country Weekly and scores of other print media. Appearances on broadcast outlets include, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, USA, MTV, CMT, GAC, PBS, Food Network, BRAVO, BBC and NPR.
Her products include a three-part DVD titled Vocal Master Class, available in both English and Japanese, a warm-up CD for singers, and a book titled Voice Power, published by AMACOM Books (NY) and translated into Japanese and Italian. Voice Power was chosen by Soundview Executive Summaries as one of the best books of 2002.
Grant-Williams is an accomplished singer and musician herself. A graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she later taught there as well as at the University of California, Berkeley, where she served as the Director of the Division of Vocal Music.
Affiliations:
- AFTRA - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
- SAG - Screen Actors Guild
- AGVA - American Guild of Variety Artists
- NSA - National Speakers Association
- CMA - Country Music Association
Additional Links:
Gary
Talley's multi-faceted career in music began when he was still a teenager
in Memphis, when he played lead guitar and sang background vocals for The
Box Tops. The group was nominated for two Grammy Awards
in 1967 and had three chart-topping hits: "The Letter", "Cry
Like a Baby" and "Soul Deep", which are
still played worldwide. After disbanding in 1970, the group re-formed
in 1997, recorded "The Box Tops Tear Off" at Easley
Sound in Memphis and began their reunion tour at The House of Blues in
Hollywood.
Gary has done studio work in Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, New York and Muscle Shoals. A few of the artists Gary has recorded with are Billy Preston, Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Billy Joe Royal, Hank Ballard and James Carr.
He has toured and done TV shows with Tim McGraw, Dr. John, Randy Travis, Pam Tillis, Billy Preston, The Beach Boys, Alabama, Brenda Lee and many, many others.
Gary's songs have been recorded by The Box Tops, Keith Whitley, T.G. Shepard, blues legend James Cotton, Kenny Neal, Carey Bell, Mac Gayden, Don Nix, Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass and many others in Canada and Europe.
As an educator, Gary has taught guitar to many of Nashville's top songwriters and artists, including Pam Tillis, Sherrie Austin, Big Kenny of Big & Rich, as well as hit songwriters Rory Bourke, Holly Lamar, Tom Douglas, Monty Powell, Amanda Hunt-Taylor and others.
He made the first educational guitar video for songwriters called "Guitar Playing for Songwriters" which has sold thousands of copies worldwide. Gary has taught guitar workshops all over North America sponsored by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and The Songwriters Guild of America. His articles have been published in Acoustic Guitar magazine, "Songwriting and The Guitar" (Stringletter Publishing), "Private Lessons, Pt. 1" (Warner Publishing) and writes a regular column "Guitar 101" in American Songwriter magazine. Gary's belief is that traditional methods of teaching guitar are antiquated and can actually be counterproductive, especially for songwriters.
Affiliations:
- BMI - Broadcast Music, Inc.
- NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International
- AFM - American Federation of Musicians
- NARAS - National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
Additional Links:
Singer/songwriter,
educator and author.
- Co-founder/Outreach Director of Building the Kingdom, a non-profit organization providing education and housing for orphans in developing nations.
- More than 15 years of community education to all ages from preschoolers to senior citizens.
- Articles featured in publications across the United States and the United Kingdom.
- Author of the book "Building the Kingdom" an autobiography published in 2004.
- Playwright for several plays and musicals, which have been, or are currently, in production.
- Three independent CDs and performances all over the world from prisons to cathedrals.
- Home educating five children.
Karin's award winning songs have earned her the respect and admiration of music industry professionals and fans alike. Current projects include: "I Could Try" on rising country star Nathan Lee Jackson's new CD, "American Way" and "Why Don't You Fall" recorded by Christian artist Lesa Hudson and "Black Jezebel Road" on Australian rocker Rick Caballo's latest album.
An in-demand songwriting coach, Karin teaches Nashville's inner city youth at Barefoot Republic Camp as well as private students. She is also the co-author of "A Monkey Manual for Songwriters," an inspirational publication filled with practical information! A must have for every aspiring songwriter. Karin also co-hosts and performs regularly at Nashville's famed Monkey in a Round writer's night.
Affiliations:
- SESAC - Society of European Stage Authors & Composers
- CMA - Country Music Association
- NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International
Additional Links:
Notable Quotes:
"Karin Paparelli has become one of the most recognizable and respected faces in the Nashville songwriting community. She has established a broad and mighty network of peers, and impresses me with her knowledge base with regard to songwriting and the music business as a whole."
- Shane Barrett, Nashville Creative Director, Ole Songs, Inc. Nashville, TN"Karin Paparelli has risen through the ranks of Nashville to become one of the most respected and admired songwriters in our community! Not only is she doing it here but she is now taking her talents abroad! Way to go Karin!"
- Anthony Smith, Songwriter (Lonestar, Donna Summer), Record Producer, Nashville, TN"A Monkey Manual For Songwriter's is the most intelligent yet simple and straight forward book I've ever read on the art of songwriting. It's very descriptive, colorful, thought provoking, funny and informative. This is a must for all songwriters, beginners and pros. One that should be read more than once."
- Frank Myers (Grammy Award Winning Songwriter)
www.frankmyersmusic.com or www.myspace.com/frankmyersmusic
Bill
DiLuigi is a Nashville songwriter with unique vision. He has had several
songs recorded internationally. He is the writer of "Language of
the Herd", the theme song for Monty Roberts, the Horse Whisper.
He has three songs on Grammy Nominee Mike Ward's "Whiskey Trains
and Lonesome" CD. Bill's songs have been used by Nissan and
Fox Broadcasting. His song "I'm Not Him" was a finalist in
the 2007 NSAI/CMT contest. "I Swung The Hammer" was GMA Nashville
Academy Southern Gospel song of 2006. He has also been a prize winner
in Billboard, Great American, ISC, New Song, American Songwriter Magazine
and UK International Songwriting contests.
Bill has a diverse musical background. He was part of the Philadelphia folk scene and played at the legendary Main Point. As a part of the NYC hardcore / electronica circuit in the nineties, he did regular shows with two bands at CBGB's and The Living Room. As a performing songwriter, he has been compared to Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen. Like his contemporaries, he writes what is in front of him. "I try to write the truth, sometimes it's ugly, sometimes it's beautiful, most of the time it's both. If it's true, people will relate to it.", Bill says, summarizing his philosophy. He's been a repeat guest at Nashville's Bluebird Café, New York City's Bitter End, Toronto's Tin Pan North and Australia's Tamworth Festival. His first songwriter CD, "Escaped From Nashville" was released in 2008 and is available on CD Baby. He co-hosts Nashville's Monkey In A Round writer's night, one of the most respected song circles in Music City and is co-author of "A Monkey Manual for Songwriters," an inspirational publication filled with practical information! A must have for every aspiring songwriter.
Affiliations:
- BMI - Broadcast Music, Inc.
- NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International
- TSAI - Tennessee Songwriters Association International
Additional Links:
Notable Quotes:
"A great writer"
- Jim Femino (Toby Keith, James Otto)"One of the most gifted writers in Nashville"
- Mike Ward (Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley)"A meticulous song craftsman, there's not a false, spare word in his songs"
- Pam Belford (George Strait)"A great person and an even better talent"
- Gary Hannan (Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols)"Not only is Bill a talented songwriter, he is a fine gentleman...I'm proud to call him a friend."
- Carl Jackson (Garth Brooks)"A Monkey Manual For Songwriter's is the most intelligent yet simple and straight forward book I've ever read on the art of songwriting. It's very descriptive, colorful, thought provoking, funny and informative. This is a must for all songwriters, beginners and pros. One that should be read more than once."
- Frank Myers (Grammy Award Winning Songwriter)
www.frankmyersmusic.com or www.myspace.com/frankmyersmusic
Tom
Roady is an award winning percussionist who has had the privilege to
tour with superstars such as: James Taylor, John Denver, Ricky Skaggs,
The Fifth Dimension and Paul Anka.
He has also played on numerous R&B, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz, Rock, and Country multi-platinum recordings, many of which have been nominated and won Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, and ACM Awards.
The list of artists he has worked with is long and impressive.
R&B artists include: Percy Sledge,Wilson Pickett, Mavis Staples, Pop Staples, Clarence Carter, Millie Jackson, Bobby Womack, Etta James, Delbert McClinton, Johnny Taylor, Don Covay, and Shemekia Copeland.
Rock and Pop Acts include: Michael McDonald, Andy Gibb, The Sanford /Townsend Band, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Pure Prairie League, Dr. Hook, Roy Orbison, Emmylou Harris, Bob Seger, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kim Carnes, The Freddy Jones Band, Mac McAnally, Joan Baez, The Iguanas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Forbert, Paul Anka, Tom Jones, Donovan, Etc.
Bluegrass and Americana Artists inclide: Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, New Grass Revival, The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent, Maura O'Conell, Sally Fingerett, Kathy Mattea, Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, Robert Lee Castleman, Ronnie Bowman, Mark Elliot, Kim McKlean, and Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time.
Country Acts Include: The Dixie Chicks, Vince Gill, Kenny Chesney, Alabama, Brooks and Dunn, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Chris Ledoux, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sara Evans, Tom T. Hall, Randy Travis, Trick Pony, Reba McEntire, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams Jr., Dan Seals, Suzy Bogguss, K.T.Oslin, Kenny Rogers, Lee Ann Womack, Chely Wright, Clay Walker, T.Graham Brown, Mark Chestnut, Randy Scruggs, Tracy Byrd, Bryan White, Steve Wariner, Jo Dee Messina, Lonestar, Ricochet and Lee Roy Parnell.
Tom has been very blessed to have played on many Christian/Gospel Projects including: Phil Driscoll, The Issacs, Russ Taff, Mark Lowry, and his good friend Will McFarlane.
In December of 2006 he played shows in London with the David Gest's All-Star Soul Spectacular...starring Peabo Bryson, Deniece Williams, Dorothy Moore, Billy Paul, Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Candi Staton, Carl Carlton, William Bell, Freda Payne, and Bonnie Tyler.
Besides his innumerable live performances and studio session work, Tom has also taught percussion clinics and master classes and has made regular appearances at the annual Percussive Arts Society Convention.
His CD “ZENDRUM: ONE TRIBE” has been critically reviewed and praised in magazines such as: Modern Drummer, Keyboard and Electronic Musician and has been played on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Oxygen, The Playboy Channel, The Spice Channel, The Travel Channel, Braves Baseball, and International Cable broadcasts.
Tom proudly endorses:
- Toca Percussion
- Paiste Cymbals and Effects
- Regal Tip Sticks and Mallets
- Evans Heads
- DW Drums and Hardware
- Shure Microphones
- Zendrum
- The Mandala Drum
- FXpansion
Additional Links:
