So You Think You've Got Talent?

Let's Have Some Fun!

Yes, there will be a winner, so yes, there will definitely be a competitive spirit among the contestants. But above all, we want to promote both a fun and exciting opportunity, as well as a new and different venue on our Shore.

Back up music for the final 5 contestants will be provided by Nuthin' Fancy, a very talented and popular local band with a tremendous range of songs encompassing every musical genre.

Entertainment will be provided by guest performers throughout the day, and this year's line up promises to be particularly exciting! We also have the popular Rock of Ages DJ Productions spinning your favorite tunes in between sets!

Warm Welcome to Red Letter Day!

This year, we are exceptionally excited to bring you the musical talent of one of Delmarva's most talented exciting groups, Red Letter Day. This popular duo Suzanna Mallow and Andrea Jones, have been performing for over two decades, and provide a heartfelt musical treat that is a unique blend of folk, pop, country, and blues.

“Each song is intensely personal, but never melodramatic. Thought-provoking, intelligent and often humorous songwriting combined with passionate delivery and musicianship of the highest caliber.” - Stacy Bias, Pacific West Coast Reviewer

“Suzanna Mallow is a tiny blonde ball of energy and talent! Enjoyable.” - Kathy S Svvertson Hudson Valley, NYC Reviewer

“Hardly a tune passes that doesn’t offer considerable rewards, a sharp melodic hook or a colorful array of folk and pop textures.” - Richard Harris, The Washington Post

“The sound ranges from sweetness of the Murmers to straight up rock n’ roll of Concrete Blonde.”- Lady slipper Music

"There really is no better way to describe the RLD experience; moving effortlessly between genres of folk, pop, country, and blues and all with lots of harmony and heart. Red Letter Day balances out a show usually with a bit of harmonica, saxophone, percussion, bass, acoustic guitar and electric guitar all distinctly different in sound and delivery. What grabs the attention of the “soon to become followers” right from the start is the solid songwriting that sooth, seduce, crack you up, or scream your inner emotions into action. Action, in the sense that RLD’s music is music that is heard and felt right down to the last string holding your heart together! Multi-instrumentalists, is an understatement after seeing this duo live, RLD’s amazing versatility became re-known not only to their audiences but it has also turned the heads of many fellow musicians."*

Red Letter Day began their musical journey in the summer of 1990, and enjoyed amazing success up and down the East Coast. In 2003, Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer, and so Suzanna took on managing the groups studio and interests from her office at Salisbury University, which she continues to run from there today. In 2008, Andrea announced her remission from cancer, and the group has begun performing once again on a more local scale. Writing most of their own music, the group offers a soulful, heart tugging, unforgettable performance that hits close to home for its audience.

It is with extreme pleasure and intense gratitude that we welcome them to this year's Shore Singer's Search. Please take a moment to check out their music and accomplishments on their website* at:

www.redletterday.com

The HM Johnson Band Takes the Stage!

We are particularly excited to announce that The HM Johnson Band will be performing this year at Shore Singer's Search! HM, a native of Parksley, VA, has been performing his famous blend of rhytham and blues, jazz, soul and more; and we are so very honored to have him be a part of our show!

"Together for almost Nineteen years, this band's success has come from hard work and dedication. Even after this many years, the members of The H.M. Johnson Band will not accept complacency. With new goals to strive for and accomplish, the future of The H.M. Johnson Band will continually prove to be an exciting challenge. The H.M. Johnson Band is an electrifying group of fun-loving, experienced professional entertainers that can satisfy your musical desires. They have an extensive repertoire covering the years 1950-2008 and covering styles such as R&B, Funk, Pop, Jump, Swing, Soul, Beach, Reggae, Blues, Jazz, and Rock & Roll. Over the nine years of being in existence the group has proven to be one of the best bands in the business. They constantly work hard at keeping up their reputation for satisfying audiences. 

The group is under the leadership of Henry (H.M.) Johnson, a highly respected and experienced music veteran, a superb writer, musician and sound technician. H.M. Johnson began playing over 40 years ago. While he doesn't remember exactly what started him down the guitar-playing path, he knows that it was something he just had to do. The first recording that he ever bought was by Chuck Berry, which he quickly wore out. Soon after, he began listening to Wes Montgomery, Albert King, Albert Collins, Pat Martino and B.B. King. These influences have directed Henry over the years of his life, and having brought him to where he now stands. 

H.M. Johnson has successfully recorded two solo releases entitled : Feel It and Everybody wants Control of You and is currently working on a new project. Henry also contributed guitar tracks to CBS after school TV specials as well as work with the CBN cable network and has received high praise from Guitar Player Magazine. In his career, he has toured and performed in many countries and several states in the United States with artists such as Singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player from Lubbock, Texas, Delbert McClinton, National recording jazz trumpeter Tom Brown and notable other recording artists. Over the years of learning from such name acts, he has learned what and what not to do to satisfy an audience, and make the show a success!

For over nine years, the incomparable sounds of The H.M. Johnson Band have captivated the hearts of audiences and musicians of all ages and tastes. Whether performing to a dance crowd, festival concert, or a intimate cocktail / dinner setting, The H.M. Johnson Band is one of the most versatile groups on the music circuit today. This talented group of musicians can switch to any type of musical format with ease. Entertaining audiences in some of the most stylish and elegant nightclubs, From DC to North Carolina and all points in between. These three talented entertainers serve up a savory mix of diverse musical styles, pleasing the most discriminating palate. Audiences, young and old alike, look forward to The H.M. Johnson Band performances."

Accomplishments of the group include the distinction of backing Motown recording artist Gerald Alston (lead singer for The Manhattans), Grant Alston Taylor as well as opening for such notable artists as Vanessa Williams, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Sonny Landreth, Little Milton, Indigenous, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band from New Orleans, and Spyro Gyra. 

The Virginia Beach Blues Fest 
The Chesapeake Jubilee
The Peanut, Pork and Pine Fest
The Summer Breeze Music Fest in Williamsburg VA
The Townpoint Park Jazz and Blues Fest 
The Princess Ann Park Arts Fest 
The Suffolk Balloon Fest
The Cape Henry Collegiate "Grand Auction"
The Neptune Fest 
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Arts Fest 
The Stockley Gardens Arts Fest 
The Eastern Shore Blues Fest 
The American Music Fest
The Downtown Norfolk Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras celebration

We are extremely excited to welcome HM and his band to our stage! Please check out their music at their website*:

http://www.hmjb.htmlplanet.com

More Amazing Talent Takes the Stage This Year!

We are also extremely excited to offer you the musical genius of Johnny Mo and Quad Pod again this year. Johnny Mo, a long time favorite of locals, serves up his unique blend of original songs with a local theme in addition to popular hits. And this year, we are also introducing two new local groups to our stage, Fat Tuesday and the New Custards, as well as Off the Hook, both exceptionally talented groups that we are so proud to have! And of course, expect a hand-clapping, foot stomping peformance from last year's Star of the Shore, Katisha Crippen. So whatever your musical taste, we guarantee you will find it here, and have a great time supporting both our immense local talent and ultimately, those kids on our Shore who need our help!

---

 

And the 2011 Winner Is ....

When Katisha Crippen of Greenbush took the stage, she literally blew the audience away. Everyone, young and old, stood up and clapped, stomped their feet, sang along and danced with her upbeat, soulful yet energetic rendition of "Old Time Rock and Roll". Congratulations Katisha, you were amazing!

Katisha was 24 years old when she entered last year's competition, but has been singing since she was only 4 years old with her Church. "I was very nervous" Katisha says "But I'm always nervous when I sing or have to perform. I don't think I stopped being nervous until it was over!" Katisha says that she's always loved to sing, particularly when she realized her singing could touch people or make them happy. "I think I really realized that I wanted to pursue singing a couple years ago when I was in the play Beehive; the 60's musical at the North Street Playhouse. Just performing nights, back to back, it really hit me that this was something that I could see myself doing forever" she says, adding "what better way to live then to be doing something you love doing!"

Katisha is from Virginia, having moved to Parksley when she was only in the 8th grade. She works as a medical records clerk, and still sings for her Church, Macedonia Baptist Church in Bloxom, every weekend. She serves on the Praise and Worship theam there, and on Voices of Praise, which is the women's choir,as well as the Chosen Generation Youth and Young Adult choirs.

Since the contest, she has performed on numerous occassions with Nuthin' Fancy, and has just recently signed a Management contract with Urban Xposure, where she will be flying off to Las Vegas in Aprilto sing in the Living My Dream tour. "With God and a lot of prayers from my family, friends and upcoming fans, I see my singing career going as far as I want it to go, as far as God will allow it to go." she says.

Talking about this year's contest, Katisha offers this advice "If I had to offer any advice to this years contestants, I would say basically put God first. If singingis what they desire to do,then come and sing. Stay calm, try not to let their nerves over power their voice, and more importantly, don't allow the fear of thinking you're not going to win to stop you from competing! There will be a lot more no's than yes's in your life, so just believe in yourself!"

I see Katisha going great places, and I look forward to following her career!! Katisha will be opening this year's Grand Show, and I hope all of you will come out to hear her sing and celebrate!

---

"All of our dreams can come true, if only we have the courage to pursue them." ~Walt Disney