What Do Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Mets, The Flirts And The 56th Grammy Awards Have In Common?

NEW YORK - Dec. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- (New York, New York, Thursday, December 5, 2013) – With three new releases to promote at the top of 2013, KeyMedia Group set out to make an impact, while clearly defining its three main artists without compromise. All three artists spent a great deal of time writing, recording, mixing and putting the details together. It is an impressive undertaking for a small company with limited budgets to release and promote three albums at the same time. All three albums, Nicole Berke’s THIS BRIGHT BEFORE, Rachel Millman’s NOW, and Denise Marsa’s LIVE FOREVER, are up for nominee consideration for the 56^th Grammy Awards in a variety of categories.

KeyMedia Group’s founder, Marsa, states “Our work is being recognized by our peers, and that is what helps us to forge forward. We don’t have the budget to place our billboards in New York City’s Times Square or on Hollywood Boulevard next to an American Idol or The Voice billboard. However, we have the determination and stamina to make a difference, and to share our brand of music one fan at a time. Our fan base is growing steadily, with downloads now coming in from Chile, South Africa and China. We are excited to know that our music is being heard around the world.”

THIS BRIGHT BEFORE from Nicole Berke, a ten-song eclectic blend of soul, jazz and pop, is being called a groundbreaking album. Berke,who opened for Dr. Lonnie Smith at the 2013 Soul’d Out Festival in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, is a Kurzweil endorsed keyboardist, songwriter and vocalist performing contemporary original compositions. Berke is currently in Hong Kong at the 5-Star Intercontinental Hotel’s Lobby Lounge for a four-month residency.  Her sound is unique and her voice is mesmerizing.  Her lyrics are filled with stories about traveling, relationships, communication and personal discovery. THIS BRIGHT BEFORE was produced by drummer Josh Lava and Berke, with Berke’s manager Marsa overseeing the project as production consultant. The album’s basic tracks were recorded at Kung Fu Bakery by Portland’s Dave Friedlander (Prince’s house engineer 9+ years). Other tracking was done in various Portland studios with Steve Watkins and Tanner Cundy engineering. The album was mixed by Chicago based Sean O’Keefe (Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights, Company of Thieves and Plain White T's).

NOW, the six-song CD from Rachel Millman, has critics saying that the combination of her sweet and powerful voice sets her apart from other current singers. Millman has earned dozens of outstanding reviews, has appeared on NBC’s Weekend Today in New York, and delivered a stellar performance of the national anthem for 30,000 roaring fans at a Mets game at New York’s CitiField. NOW is an exciting and uplifting six-song CD, a mix of songs and styles that is lead by her vocal command. The songs featured on NOW describe her transition from college graduate to a woman in her mid-twenties, leaving behind her hometown to live and work in NYC.  It chronicles her first serious relationship and job, with the joys and challenges every listener can relate to. NOW places Millman as an advocate of being in control of your own destiny. Marsa, who manages Millman, produced the recording.

Marsa’s own second solo release, LIVE FOREVER, is a collection of twelve organic pop songs written while she lived in London, Los Angeles, NYC and her home state of New Jersey. Marsa is best known as the female voice on Dean Friedman’s classic UK hit duet LUCKY STARS, and she was the voice on The Flirts 80’s dance hit Helpless (You Took My Love).   STEADY, the third track on LIVE FOREVER, won Best Adult Contemporary Recording at the 2013 New Mexico Music Awards. The rhythm tracks for NOW and LIVE FOREVER were recorded in Santa Fe New Mexico, with guitarist Andy Gabrys acting as co-producer on LIVE FOREVER, and associate producer on NOW. Jono Manson engineered the sessions at his studio, Kitchen Sink. Marsa’s catalog has been represented by publishers Warner/Chappell and Warner Bros Music, prior to her taking the indie route in 1997 when she started KeyMedia Group and released her debut CD SELF.

All three artists have made an impression with voting Grammy members in 2013, and the intention is to continue to make an impression with audiences around the globe.  Though the albums vary in style and sound, all three have one common theme that carries the listener through the experience.  The albums feature outstanding songs being played by extremely talented musicians, with the leading ladies delivering their own special blend of vocal performances with style and attitude.

About KeyMedia Group is a full service production company, record label and artist management company specializing in mentoring up and coming recording artists and musicians. For more information please visit: www.keymediapublicrelations.com.