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Tag Archives: Mountain Stage Newsong Contest

Christopher Williams
Friday January 25, 2013

December 26, 2012 12:01 am ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

We were blessed to again host Nashville singer/songwriter Christopher Williams on January 25th!
It was an awesome concert, probably one of the most flawless live performances we’ve ever seen!  Christopher was in top form, and his musicianship was only matched by his personable demeanor.  He drew us in with stories of his parents, his son and wife, and his life, and how all these relate to the songs that he brought to life that evening.

Here is a video of his new original song, “Good Thing”, from this concert.  This is a new song and is not on any of Christopher’s CDs yet.  It’s an awesome song!  Enjoy!

 

Christopher WilliamsAfter hosting our very first Harvest Moon concert as a “test run”, we decided to begin hosting a regular monthly series of house concerts, and Christopher Williams was the first musician we booked for this series.  So this concert began our third year of house concerts with a  return visit from the guy who helped get all this started.

Christopher first performed in Lubbock more than 15 years ago, at Durham’s Coffee House, and since that time has gone on to become a prolific songwriter, releasing a total of 11 CDs, to great fan and critical acclaim.  Christopher has toured all over the U.S., opening for, and playing with noted performers such as Jars of Clay, Arlo Guthrie, Phil Keaggy, David Wilcox, Bebo Norman, and many other well-know performers.  It is an honor to have someone of CW’s stature perform in the warm, intimate environment of our HubCityMusic.com living room.  Although he remains as down-to-earth and accessible as ever, Christopher is no stranger to celebrity and success.

Christopher earned accolades as the Southeast Regional Round winner for the 2011 Mountain Stage NewSong contest, and in 2010 his song “Anything But Fail” won the Independent Music Award for Best New Contemporary Christian Song, at the same time as his live CD “Something As Simple” was nominated for Best Live Recording in the Independent Music Awards.

But it is his direct connection with his audience that makes Christopher such a compelling performer.  By the end of the evening, you will feel like you know CW personally, and you have become his friend.

Click this link to learn more about CW and listen to his music at:
www.christopherw.com

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Mountain Stage NewSong contest regional winner Christopher Williams
February 10, 2012

January 6, 2012 5:21 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

HubCityMusic.com hosts another Mountain Stage NewSong contest regional winner!

Thanks to Christopher Williams for an awesome HubCityMusic.com house concert on February 10, 2012!  CW was in top form, and he has a way of engaging the audience like no one else.  It was truly an evening to be remembered!

Here is the first video we’ve posted from this concert.  At Paul Johnson’s request, Christopher dusted off an old song that he rarely plays anymore – his own original Hope For Morning.  So, you get to share the magic!

Christopher Williams has recently received several awards and national recognition

It seems that many of our HubCityMusic.com house concert hosts are receiving recognition, and Christopher Williams, February’s HubCityMusic.com house concert host, is among them!

Karla Davis, who hosted in August, won 1st place in the national Country Showdown Finals, is now part of Adam Levine’s (of Maroon 5) team as a contestant on NBC’s hit show “The Voice”.  November host Andy Eppler was on this year’s Grammy ballot, and July host Tori Vasquez had just been named the Southwest Regional Round winner for the prestigious 2010 Mountain Stage NewSong contest, earning her a trip to New York City for the finals.

This year on Friday February 10th, Singer/Songwriter/Percussionist Christopher Williams made a return visit to Lubbock for a repeat HubCityMusic.com house concert, with similar honors under his belt. Last fall, Christopher earned accolades as the Southeast Regional Round winner for the 2011 Mountain Stage NewSong contest, earning a trip to the finals in New York City’s famous Winter Garden venue.

The Mountain Stage NewSong award certainly opens the door to broader recognition, and is another among many awards and recognition “CW” has received. In 2010 his song “Anything But Fail” won the Independent Music Award for Best New Contemporary Christian Song, and his live CD “Something As Simple” was nominated for Best Live Recording in the Independent Music Awards.

Christopher has just released his 11th CD, “Stone Water Wood Light”, and this concert is part of his CD Release Tour.  He hosted one of our first HubCityMusic.com house concerts last May, and he is excited to be back with this new CD release.

Christopher has toured all over the U.S., opening for, and playing with, noted performers such as Jars of Clay, Arlo Guthrie, Phil Keaggy, David Wilcox, Bebo Norman, and others. Christopher is a songwriter, storyteller, and entertainer – offering songs that are honest and confessional, yet never overbearing; and performances that engage audiences with an appealing mix of intense passion and humor. With “lush guitar work, and sweet soaring vocals,” (Boston Phoenix) punctuated by the percussive vulnerability of a single African djembe hand drum.

Visit CW’s website and hear samples of his many musical styles at: http://www.christopherw.com/

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Tori Vasquez with special guests
Micah Vasquez and Kenny Harris
July 15, 2011

July 15, 2011 7:15 pm ⋅ Leave a Comment ⋅

Here’s a genuine TREAT for those of you who were not able to attend Tori’s July 15, 2011  HubCityMusic.com house concert.  This is a video of her consummate and moving cover of Eva Cassidy’s Autumn Leaves.  Her vocal on this track is emotion-evoking and technically flawless.  And the interplay between Micah’s bass and her guitar is beautiful!  To hear this, listen with good speakers if possible! (on a laptop, use headphones or earbuds.)

Tori Vasquez
Tori Vasquez has also played at House of Blues in both Dallas and Houston

It’s one thing to come from a musical family, but Tori Vasquez seems to have channeled all of that multi-generational talent into one little body, and the result is astounding!  Seeing her for the first time is like watching an episode of America’s Got Talent/The Voice/American Idol/Name-Your-Favorite-Talent-Search-Show, and when you see this pretty, unassuming, shy woman walk up to the microphone, you are suddenly amazed at the mature, textured, bigger-than-life voice that comes out.  Even more impressive is the fact that this woman is singing her own original songs, and these songs are so good that they feel instantly familiar and relevant, reflecting a wisdom with words beyond her years, and tunes that quickly hook your ears.

Actually, many of Tori’s songs are co-written with dylanesque Kenny Harris, and this is a combination that really seems to work well, with Tori pulling Harris toward broader appeal, and Harris adding an edge to the collaboration.

Last year Tori released an EP, produced by Clif Magness, with five songs.  That EP earned Tori a shot at the national Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, in which she was named a national finalist as the Southwest Regional winner, and earning her a trip to New York for the finals.  See the video of her New York performance on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8hdGPQ_28k

Since last year’s EP release, Tori and Harris have been continuing to fruitfully collaborate.  The result is a new EP coming out this fall.  This new release (entitled “I Remember Well”) is being produced by Jon Taylor, and the new EP will reflect a maturing Tori Vasquez.  Tori speaks of becoming “more musical”, and says “I write more through my music than I do lyrics.”  Thus the value of a talented lyricist like Harris.  Six new original songs are planned for this new EP, and the production will be simpler than her first EP, to better showcase the fundamental qualities of her voice and songs.

Tori performed songs from both EPs at this HubCityMusic.com house concert on Friday July 15th.  Also performing with her was bassist extraordinaire, Micah Vasquez, and friend & collaborator Kenny Harris joined her in several songs, as well.

As with all our HubCityMusic.com house concerts, admission is $20, and 100% of all proceeds goes to our guest musicians.  Advance RSVP is requested and appreciated, but not required. Last minute guests welcome! BYOB. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Listen to Tori’s music and visit her website at
www.torivasquez.com
www.myspace.com/torivasquez

Here are Tori and Micah performing her original “I Love the Night” on YouTube

View Tori’s appearance at the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest here:

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