Delightful Tidbits, News and Updates

Delightful Tidbits, News and Updates http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm Thu, 17 May 2012 18:10:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com The bird has flew the coop! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=2087961 And by that, I really mean, the new CD, "Of Love & Whiskey" has been shipped from the manufacturer and should be arriving TOMORROW!!! Holy moly, y'all, I can't even tell you how excited, nervous, relieved, anxious... I'm just feeling a lot or emotions about this record finally being Finished. Mostly I'm excited - this project sounds so good and I'm really pleased with how everything has come out and I'm extraordinarily excited to share it with you.  I'm taking off for a quick tour of the southland in just a few days, and I'll be fulfilling all of the Kickstarter packages and pre-orders pretty much as I'm running out the door on Monday... My one timing goal that I had for this record was to have it in my hands before I left for this trip - and, so far, that seems like it will happen!! So, Texans, Kervillians, Georgians, North Carolinians... and all the folks who are transplants to those areas or have stopped identifying with their home state due to certain political decisions that have occurred in the last month (*cough, cough* *North Carolina* *cough)... get ready!! I'm coming to see you, and to share the new record with you, and to spread some Bethel goodness all about! Phew.  Looking forward to seeing or hearing from you! Be well!! B (Shameless self promotion: if you're a procrastinator like me, and you haven't pre-ordered your copy of "Of Love & Whiskey" yet, there's still time!! Click <a href="./newrecord.cfm">here to go to the New Record page.  Plus, you'll be able to download one of the tracks off the new record!!)

And by that, I really mean, the new CD, "Of Love & Whiskey" has been shipped from the manufacturer and should be arriving TOMORROW!!!

Holy moly, y'all, I can't even tell you how excited, nervous, relieved, anxious... I'm just feeling a lot or emotions about this record finally being Finished. Mostly I'm excited - this project sounds so good and I'm really pleased with how everything has come out and I'm extraordinarily excited to share it with you.

I'm taking off for a quick tour of the southland in just a few days, and I'll be fulfilling all of the Kickstarter packages and pre-orders pretty much as I'm running out the door on Monday... My one timing goal that I had for this record was to have it in my hands before I left for this trip - and, so far, that seems like it will happen!! So, Texans, Kervillians, Georgians, North Carolinians... and all the folks who are transplants to those areas or have stopped identifying with their home state due to certain political decisions that have occurred in the last month (*cough, cough* *North Carolina* *cough)... get ready!! I'm coming to see you, and to share the new record with you, and to spread some Bethel goodness all about!

Phew. Looking forward to seeing or hearing from you! Be well!!

B

(Shameless self promotion: if you're a procrastinator like me, and you haven't pre-ordered your copy of "Of Love & Whiskey" yet, there's still time!! Click here to go to the New Record page. Plus, you'll be able to download one of the tracks off the new record!!)
]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 18:10:00 GMT CB5900D9A0ADF0E96A863106D7A9ABF9 Big News! Bethel's late-April Monthlyish Newsletter! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=2006929 The Big News! Two big announcements... *Drum Roll Please!* Part one: we have final mixes of all of the songs for "Of Love and Whiskey"!! (Meaning every song sounds just the way Neale and Jagoda and I want them to.) Part two: I'm a finalist for the title of Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist"!! (More details below.) Wheeee! I'm so stinkin' excited!! The details: "Of Love and Whiskey" We're so close to being finished with this record. Right now, Neale, Jagoda and I are just putting the final touches on the song order for the project and then we will be mastering the record on Friday (April 20th) with Jonathan Wyner at M-Works in Cambridge! I've also been working with the talented and amazingly artistic Sarah and Brody, the duo out of Portland, OR who make up Stump'd Design, to design the album art for this record... and that should be finished around May 1st. P.S. - There's still time to pre-order the record and help offset the cost of the final steps of production: mastering, duplication and promotion. It won't be available via CDBaby or iTunes until June or July. If you pre-order by May 14th, I'll get it in the mail by May 21st. If you pre-order after May 14, you'll still get the album about a week before (possibly earlier!) its official release in June/July. Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist" I'm excited to announce that I've been named a finalist for Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist" this year. This is a pretty great event for me, as the Hudson Valley is where this whole playing-music-for-people-other-than-myself thing all started six years ago. I'll be joining the 7 other finalists for the "Best New Artist" Show at Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY on May 11th. For those of you who live in surrounding area, I'd really love to see you. Upcoming show details: Thursday, April 26th, 7:30pm Bethel Steele and The Sea, The Sea New England Folk Music Archives 191 Highland Ave (The Armory, downstairs) Somerville, MA Tix: $8 in advance, $10 at the door Details <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/323818707680017/" target="_new">here Tix available <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/235734" target="_new">here Friday, May 11th, doors at 6:30, show at 7pm Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist" Show Club Helsinki Hudson 405 Columbia St Hudson, NY Details <a href="http://www.columbiaartsteam.org/index.php" target="_new">here Tix available <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/226527" target="_new">here Hittin' the Road! I'll be on the road for a handful of shows through the south at the end of May and beginning of June. Here are the confirmed shows, save the date for me, would you please? 5/23 - Flipnotics - Austin, TX 6/4 - Eddie's Attic famous open mic - Decaur, GA 6/5 - The Java Monkey - Decatur, GA - with Alison Adams opening 6/9 - The Broad Street Cafe - Durham, NC - opening for Amy Alley (I've still got a couple of shows in the works, I'll keep you posted as the dates get closer.) Well, folks, that's about it from me for right now. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope I get to see you soon. Take good care, Bethel The Big News!

Two big announcements...

*Drum Roll Please!*

Part one: we have final mixes of all of the songs for "Of Love and Whiskey"!! (Meaning every song sounds just the way Neale and Jagoda and I want them to.)

Part two: I'm a finalist for the title of Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist"!! (More details below.)

Wheeee! I'm so stinkin' excited!!

The details: "Of Love and Whiskey"

We're so close to being finished with this record. Right now, Neale, Jagoda and I are just putting the final touches on the song order for the project and then we will be mastering the record on Friday (April 20th) with Jonathan Wyner at M-Works in Cambridge! I've also been working with the talented and amazingly artistic Sarah and Brody, the duo out of Portland, OR who make up Stump'd Design, to design the album art for this record... and that should be finished around May 1st.

P.S. - There's still time to pre-order the record and help offset the cost of the final steps of production: mastering, duplication and promotion. It won't be available via CDBaby or iTunes until June or July. If you pre-order by May 14th, I'll get it in the mail by May 21st. If you pre-order after May 14, you'll still get the album about a week before (possibly earlier!) its official release in June/July.

Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist"

I'm excited to announce that I've been named a finalist for Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist" this year. This is a pretty great event for me, as the Hudson Valley is where this whole playing-music-for-people-other-than-myself thing all started six years ago. I'll be joining the 7 other finalists for the "Best New Artist" Show at Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY on May 11th. For those of you who live in surrounding area, I'd really love to see you.

Upcoming show details:

Thursday, April 26th, 7:30pm
Bethel Steele and The Sea, The Sea
New England Folk Music Archives
191 Highland Ave (The Armory, downstairs)
Somerville, MA
Tix: $8 in advance, $10 at the door
Details here
Tix available here

Friday, May 11th, doors at 6:30, show at 7pm
Hudson Valley Songfest's "Best New Artist" Show
Club Helsinki Hudson
405 Columbia St
Hudson, NY
Details here
Tix available here

Hittin' the Road!

I'll be on the road for a handful of shows through the south at the end of May and beginning of June. Here are the confirmed shows, save the date for me, would you please?

5/23 - Flipnotics - Austin, TX
6/4 - Eddie's Attic famous open mic - Decaur, GA
6/5 - The Java Monkey - Decatur, GA - with Alison Adams opening
6/9 - The Broad Street Cafe - Durham, NC - opening for Amy Alley
(I've still got a couple of shows in the works, I'll keep you posted as the dates get closer.)

Well, folks, that's about it from me for right now. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope I get to see you soon.

Take good care,
Bethel
]]> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:00:00 GMT 11EDB4FC1E7EA5D79BC4A882BC28D4B9 We've got final mixes! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1986581 That's right folks! All three of us, Jagoda, Neale and I have decided we are finished mixing "Of Love and Whiskey"! AND! We'll be mastering the record this Friday, April 20th... The album artwork has been started, and should be complete on the 1st of May... Now, we're just debating the track order for the album... Though the record won't be officially available on my website or via any online merchants until June or July, you can pre-order it still and get it at my shows as soon as it's in my hands in late May. If you'd like to help out in the making of this record, there's still time! You can pre-order this record, support me through the final stages of this record, even just make a donation towards the making of this record - <a href="./newrecord.cfm">click here to read about how you can help!  We still have to get the record duplicated and promote it to radio stations and print publications and I could certainly use your help. Whoop! That's all for now... I'm so excited to share this record with you folks... Thank you so much for your support! Many hugs, Bethel
All three of us, Jagoda, Neale and I have decided we are finished mixing "Of Love and Whiskey"!

AND! We'll be mastering the record this Friday, April 20th...

The album artwork has been started, and should be complete on the 1st of May...

Now, we're just debating the track order for the album...

Though the record won't be officially available on my website or via any online merchants until June or July, you can pre-order it still and get it at my shows as soon as it's in my hands in late May.

If you'd like to help out in the making of this record, there's still time! You can pre-order this record, support me through the final stages of this record, even just make a donation towards the making of this record - click here to read about how you can help! We still have to get the record duplicated and promote it to radio stations and print publications and I could certainly use your help.

Whoop! That's all for now... I'm so excited to share this record with you folks...

Thank you so much for your support!

Many hugs,

Bethel
]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:16:54 GMT 2D36CDC21276F2C961E1732429B82F41 March Newsletter! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1867027 Sometimes, you just gotta trust. Trust can be tricky. Most of the time when I hear the word trust, I almost always think of trusting others, but I've been trying to teach my self to trust two other subjects: myself and the universe. By trusting myself, I'm opening myself up to new experiences, and allowing myself to take risks. When I was growing up, my mom would always say, "Everything happens for a reason." I'm sure you've heard this from people in your life as well, but it's a mantra I'm trying to live by. For those of you who haven't heard, I left my full-time job in December - it was an abrupt change. What I've found, over the last two and a half months, is that this change seems to have been the kick-in-the-butt that I needed to focus on my music, and really make a directed effort to trying to "cut it" as a musician. (Really, my "cutting it" over this time has been focusing on making my new record and, as my friend Connor Garvey says, "diversifying my income stream.") I've really had to trust both myself and the universe to carry me through the last couple of months, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Don't get me wrong, I still have to make a conscious decision each morning to not freak out, but I know I've surrounded myself with incredibly supportive people (like you folks who are reading this newsletter) who help me trust. And that leaves me, two newsletters in a row, thanking you wonderful people for your support - Thank you. Until next month (or when I see you out and about), take good care!! Bethel "Of Love and Whiskey" in Memphis Neale and Jagoda and I, were down all down in Memphis, TN for the International Folk Alliance Conference last week... and boy did we work on the new record while we were down there!! This past Saturday, not only did Neale and I go out to shoot over 1200 photos for the album art and promotional materials, but we also managed to wrangle in the Canadian mandolin player of the year, Denis Dufresne (of Pear out of Calgary), to play on the record. And you better believe that Neale was prepared for this very moment - he had packed an entire extra suitcase of recording equipment for just the occasion. I'm sure it was a rather hellacious affair getting through the TSA check points... Anyway, the session, in Neale's hotel room, just one floor down from the three floors of live music, was just beautiful. I've narrowed down the photos that Neale took to just 320... read: I removed all the photos of me making silly faces, singing to classic songs that were blasted along Beale Street, or the usual blinking eyes that happen after you've only had 5 hours of sleep... I'll probably let you folks see some of these before the new record is officially done, but I still haven't unpacked my bags.... that said, I've got work to do!! Guitars in the Classroom Benefit is this Sunday night! Last month, my friend Timmy Riordan hosted the Song Bomb, where he wrote a song every day of the month. He paired up with other songwriters from across the country (I paired up with him on the 28th - and you can hear the song I wrote at www.thesongbomb.com) - and is finally finished! This Sunday, Timmy is hosting a benefit at one of my favorite places, the Burren Sunday Series in the back room. On the bill is Vance Gilbert (8pm) Pesky J. Nixon (9pm) and Timmy closes out the night (10pm). You can get more information about this event and about Guitars in the Classroom here: www.timmyr.com/gitc Sometimes, you just gotta trust.

Trust can be tricky. Most of the time when I hear the word trust, I almost always think of trusting others, but I've been trying to teach my self to trust two other subjects: myself and the universe. By trusting myself, I'm opening myself up to new experiences, and allowing myself to take risks. When I was growing up, my mom would always say, "Everything happens for a reason." I'm sure you've heard this from people in your life as well, but it's a mantra I'm trying to live by.

For those of you who haven't heard, I left my full-time job in December - it was an abrupt change. What I've found, over the last two and a half months, is that this change seems to have been the kick-in-the-butt that I needed to focus on my music, and really make a directed effort to trying to "cut it" as a musician. (Really, my "cutting it" over this time has been focusing on making my new record and, as my friend Connor Garvey says, "diversifying my income stream.") I've really had to trust both myself and the universe to carry me through the last couple of months, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Don't get me wrong, I still have to make a conscious decision each morning to not freak out, but I know I've surrounded myself with incredibly supportive people (like you folks who are reading this newsletter) who help me trust. And that leaves me, two newsletters in a row, thanking you wonderful people for your support - Thank you.

Until next month (or when I see you out and about), take good care!!
Bethel

"Of Love and Whiskey" in Memphis

Neale and Jagoda and I, were down all down in Memphis, TN for the International Folk Alliance Conference last week... and boy did we work on the new record while we were down there!! This past Saturday, not only did Neale and I go out to shoot over 1200 photos for the album art and promotional materials, but we also managed to wrangle in the Canadian mandolin player of the year, Denis Dufresne (of Pear out of Calgary), to play on the record.

And you better believe that Neale was prepared for this very moment - he had packed an entire extra suitcase of recording equipment for just the occasion. I'm sure it was a rather hellacious affair getting through the TSA check points... Anyway, the session, in Neale's hotel room, just one floor down from the three floors of live music, was just beautiful.

I've narrowed down the photos that Neale took to just 320... read: I removed all the photos of me making silly faces, singing to classic songs that were blasted along Beale Street, or the usual blinking eyes that happen after you've only had 5 hours of sleep... I'll probably let you folks see some of these before the new record is officially done, but I still haven't unpacked my bags.... that said, I've got work to do!!

Guitars in the Classroom Benefit is this Sunday night!

Last month, my friend Timmy Riordan hosted the Song Bomb, where he wrote a song every day of the month. He paired up with other songwriters from across the country (I paired up with him on the 28th - and you can hear the song I wrote at www.thesongbomb.com) - and is finally finished!

This Sunday, Timmy is hosting a benefit at one of my favorite places, the Burren Sunday Series in the back room. On the bill is Vance Gilbert (8pm) Pesky J. Nixon (9pm) and Timmy closes out the night (10pm). You can get more information about this event and about Guitars in the Classroom here: www.timmyr.com/gitc
]]> Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:00:00 GMT 43888EB1F00E78B5E168CD8D3F429F15 February Newsletter http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1867026 It Takes a Village I was never keen on group projects in high school (or really in college, for the record). I remember being given the choice of doing a group projects or doing a project on my own - I would always opt for the latter option. Maybe it was my being a bit of a control freak, maybe it was because I grew up as an only child... the closest I came to group work when I was a wee one was playing games with my "invisible friend" (my mom has told me numerous times what the name of this friend was, but I always seem to forget). Whatever the reason was, that doesn't really matter, the point is that I typically stayed as far from group projects as I could, until I couldn't put it off any longer. Now, years later as a "puppy" of a touring musician (and by 'puppy,' I mean, someone who is just starting their music career), I feel like everything I do with my music is about group work... Every aspect from writing new tunes to performing to making a new album to promoting shows or the new album, they are all about community and working well with others. Thankfully, living in Boston (and having lived here for almost 5 years), I am surrounded by a wicked awesome community of die-hard folkies and fans of singer-songwriters and supporters of live music. Just last weekend I had the extreme pleasure of seeing the fruits of group work - I shared the stage with Jo and Sorcha (banjo and cello/guitar duo out of Portland, ME) at the Burren Sunday Songwriter Series. This room, the back room of the Burren, is usally one of my favorites to perform in, but by joining forces with these two incredibly talented musicians, it took on a whole new dimension of amazing for me... Something about the warm presence they created, and the lovely music that came from their voices and instruments, it just totally rocked my world. And where did I find these lovely people, you ask?! Well, no place other than the mecca of folk music community in the north east: NERFA (the North East Regional Folk Alliance)... and there we go, full circle - creating community by participating in community - a version of group work at its finest. (Side note: be on the lookout for future dates with these two cats - as we're planning on folking the North East with our powers combined.) I'm headed down to Memphis in just a few weeks, to see what goes on in the giant community created by the International Folk Alliance Conference. This event is NERFA on steroids. Once in down in Tennesse, I'll be sharing a room with complete strangers, hoping to make new friends and foster working relationships with other musicians/promoters/venue people... Of course, the lovely co-producers of my new record (there's another HUGE group effort, too!), Neale and Jagoda are going to be down there as well, so not everyone will be a stranger. They've told me not to worry too much, as my famous hugs will likely help me make friends. Thank you all for being such a supportive village... See you on the road! Bethel What's going on with that new record?! The baby has a name! (Or at least a working title....) For now, we're calling the new record "Of Love and Whiskey" We're still chugging along on this album! I was just talking with Jagoda and we both commented that it feels like we're ahead of schedule... and that is a pretty great feeling! (Now quick, find some wood and knock on it!!!!) Here's the quick low-down: BASS: last month I told you that Jeff St. Pierre was working on the bass parts for the record, he laid down some tracks, and it's time to finish them! We're heading into the studio today for a great session! ELECTRIC GUITAR: it's all tracked and it sounds AWESOME. Rich Feridun (who has performed with the likes of Amy Speace) recorded some simply amazing parts for five of the tunes on the record. They give me chills. STIRNGS: Tom Prasada-Rao is working on a beautiful string part for one of the songs on the record, "Seasons" - from what I've heard so far, it's going to be incredibly beautiful. HAMMOND B3 ORGAN: that's right, Organ. This will be recorded sometime soon... Shortly thereafter, there's going be some other instruments to track on a couple of the songs, some background harmonies, and then we'll do the final mixing of the record. Then it's off to get it mastered... And then it goes to duplication... And then it's on your doorstep!! Okay, that's an oversimplification... but as you can see, we're close!! I'm still taking pre-orders for this new record, and until we've completed the mixing process for this record, you can even get your name in the liner notes!! When you place your pre-order or make a donation you'll be invited to download a sneak-peek track from the new record! It Takes a Village

I was never keen on group projects in high school (or really in college, for the record). I remember being given the choice of doing a group projects or doing a project on my own - I would always opt for the latter option. Maybe it was my being a bit of a control freak, maybe it was because I grew up as an only child... the closest I came to group work when I was a wee one was playing games with my "invisible friend" (my mom has told me numerous times what the name of this friend was, but I always seem to forget). Whatever the reason was, that doesn't really matter, the point is that I typically stayed as far from group projects as I could, until I couldn't put it off any longer.

Now, years later as a "puppy" of a touring musician (and by 'puppy,' I mean, someone who is just starting their music career), I feel like everything I do with my music is about group work... Every aspect from writing new tunes to performing to making a new album to promoting shows or the new album, they are all about community and working well with others. Thankfully, living in Boston (and having lived here for almost 5 years), I am surrounded by a wicked awesome community of die-hard folkies and fans of singer-songwriters and supporters of live music.

Just last weekend I had the extreme pleasure of seeing the fruits of group work - I shared the stage with Jo and Sorcha (banjo and cello/guitar duo out of Portland, ME) at the Burren Sunday Songwriter Series. This room, the back room of the Burren, is usally one of my favorites to perform in, but by joining forces with these two incredibly talented musicians, it took on a whole new dimension of amazing for me... Something about the warm presence they created, and the lovely music that came from their voices and instruments, it just totally rocked my world. And where did I find these lovely people, you ask?! Well, no place other than the mecca of folk music community in the north east: NERFA (the North East Regional Folk Alliance)... and there we go, full circle - creating community by participating in community - a version of group work at its finest. (Side note: be on the lookout for future dates with these two cats - as we're planning on folking the North East with our powers combined.)

I'm headed down to Memphis in just a few weeks, to see what goes on in the giant community created by the International Folk Alliance Conference. This event is NERFA on steroids. Once in down in Tennesse, I'll be sharing a room with complete strangers, hoping to make new friends and foster working relationships with other musicians/promoters/venue people... Of course, the lovely co-producers of my new record (there's another HUGE group effort, too!), Neale and Jagoda are going to be down there as well, so not everyone will be a stranger. They've told me not to worry too much, as my famous hugs will likely help me make friends.

Thank you all for being such a supportive village... See you on the road!

Bethel

What's going on with that new record?!

The baby has a name! (Or at least a working title....) For now, we're calling the new record "Of Love and Whiskey" We're still chugging along on this album!

I was just talking with Jagoda and we both commented that it feels like we're ahead of schedule... and that is a pretty great feeling! (Now quick, find some wood and knock on it!!!!) Here's the quick low-down:

BASS: last month I told you that Jeff St. Pierre was working on the bass parts for the record, he laid down some tracks, and it's time to finish them! We're heading into the studio today for a great session!

ELECTRIC GUITAR: it's all tracked and it sounds AWESOME. Rich Feridun (who has performed with the likes of Amy Speace) recorded some simply amazing parts for five of the tunes on the record. They give me chills.

STIRNGS: Tom Prasada-Rao is working on a beautiful string part for one of the songs on the record, "Seasons" - from what I've heard so far, it's going to be incredibly beautiful.

HAMMOND B3 ORGAN: that's right, Organ. This will be recorded sometime soon...

Shortly thereafter, there's going be some other instruments to track on a couple of the songs, some background harmonies, and then we'll do the final mixing of the record. Then it's off to get it mastered... And then it goes to duplication... And then it's on your doorstep!! Okay, that's an oversimplification... but as you can see, we're close!! I'm still taking pre-orders for this new record, and until we've completed the mixing process for this record, you can even get your name in the liner notes!! When you place your pre-order or make a donation you'll be invited to download a sneak-peek track from the new record!
]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:55:00 GMT 6D863B63B34274B16E2D40F221ABA606 Electric Guitar, just in!! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1753735 Just had to post a quick update on the record... Jagoda just sent me the tracks from the studio date with the electric guitar player, Rich Feridun... they sound incredible!!! This project is going to have a very different sound than "Come Home" - less country-sounding. It's definitely a little more of an adventure for me!! The hairs on my arm are standing up a little bit!! ~B
Jagoda just sent me the tracks from the studio date with the electric guitar player, Rich Feridun... they sound incredible!!!

This project is going to have a very different sound than "Come Home" - less country-sounding. It's definitely a little more of an adventure for me!!

The hairs on my arm are standing up a little bit!!

~B
]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMT D97762AA7F3AB541B3310630CF0066E9 January Newsletter! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1710671 You can read my January Newsletter <a target="_new" href="http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=cc885488e96208be0091dae3b&id=4f066b679d">HERE Happy New Year and stay Warm!! Hugs and well wishes, B You can read my January Newsletter HERE

Happy New Year and stay Warm!!

Hugs and well wishes,
B
]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:40:00 GMT 8C782822777FBD896C0483136B31D27C Another Record Update!! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1681799 Hello lovelies and happy New Year!! Great news: we have completed all of the drums and percussion for the record! I am soooo pleased to let you all know that now we have started to bring in some really talented musicians to make their mark on this record!! The lovely Greg Greenway (www.greggreenway.com and www.brothersunmusic.com) somehow climbed into my brain and recorded a truly amazing piano part for "B.A.S.E." which now sounds even more dramatic and engaging that I could ever wish for!! I'm telling you folks, when I first heard what Greg recorded I screamed with giddy excitement. I think y'all will understand once you hear it. As I type this note, the incredible Jeff St. Pierre, a bass player out of Plymouth, MA, is laying down some wicked grooves for the record. Next up: electric guitar and strings! If you missed my Kickstarter Campaign and would like to play a part in making this record, I invite you to check out this link: <a href="./newrecord.cfm">Bethel's New Record. You can pre-order a signed copy of the new record with a hand-written thank you note from me and get it delivered to you before it hits the airwaves and before it's available ANYWHERE online! Or, you can donate your hard-earned money to help the process go a little faster.  Plus, you'll be directed to a page where you get a sneak peek, free download of a track from this record!! We are making such great headway on this record and I'm so incredibly excited to share the project with you!! Until then, stay warm - it's pretty frigid here in Beantown. Hugs, B P.S. - For those of you in the Boston area, I've got some really awesome shows coming up this month, including one where I'm opening for the awesome folk icon <a target="_new" href="http://www.krisdelmhorst.com">KRIS DELMHORST at the <a target="_new" href="http://www.driftwoodfolkcafe.com">Driftwood Folk Cafe in Plymouth MA! This is going to be such a treat and I'd really love to see you there. Check out the other shows I've got coming up here: <a href="./shows.cfm">Bethel's Upcoming Shows Hello lovelies and happy New Year!!

Great news: we have completed all of the drums and percussion for the record! I am soooo pleased to let you all know that now we have started to bring in some really talented musicians to make their mark on this record!!

The lovely Greg Greenway (www.greggreenway.com and www.brothersunmusic.com) somehow climbed into my brain and recorded a truly amazing piano part for "B.A.S.E." which now sounds even more dramatic and engaging that I could ever wish for!! I'm telling you folks, when I first heard what Greg recorded I screamed with giddy excitement. I think y'all will understand once you hear it.

As I type this note, the incredible Jeff St. Pierre, a bass player out of Plymouth, MA, is laying down some wicked grooves for the record. Next up: electric guitar and strings!

If you missed my Kickstarter Campaign and would like to play a part in making this record, I invite you to check out this link: Bethel's New Record. You can pre-order a signed copy of the new record with a hand-written thank you note from me and get it delivered to you before it hits the airwaves and before it's available ANYWHERE online! Or, you can donate your hard-earned money to help the process go a little faster. Plus, you'll be directed to a page where you get a sneak peek, free download of a track from this record!!

We are making such great headway on this record and I'm so incredibly excited to share the project with you!! Until then, stay warm - it's pretty frigid here in Beantown.

Hugs, B

P.S. - For those of you in the Boston area, I've got some really awesome shows coming up this month, including one where I'm opening for the awesome folk icon KRIS DELMHORST at the Driftwood Folk Cafe in Plymouth MA! This is going to be such a treat and I'd really love to see you there. Check out the other shows I've got coming up here: Bethel's Upcoming Shows]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:25:00 GMT EA9B56225A4C25BE073A6F88B5FCB397 Studio Update!! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1643190 We (Neale and Jagoda and I) have made it to an important impasse in creating a new record: all of the basic tracks (guitar and vocals) are completed!!  Next up: Jagoda is coming up to Fox Run next week to record percussion!   Don't forget, you can pre-order the record <a href="./newrecord.cfm">here! We (Neale and Jagoda and I) have made it to an important impasse in creating a new record: all of the basic tracks (guitar and vocals) are completed!!

Next up: Jagoda is coming up to Fox Run next week to record percussion!

Don't forget, you can pre-order the record here!
]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:40:00 GMT E26956E07ADC93ED6C720C6EB62F4310 Fall is Flying! http://bethelsteele.com/news.cfm?feature=3020189&postid=1643085 Hey beautiful people, First of all, I want to wish you all a very, very happy Holiday season. I hope your travels are safe, and that your time with family or friends (or both!) is filled with great delight! I feel like the Holiday season has started early for me, not only because I work in the retail sector and it seems like the promotions for the Holidays start earlier and earlier, but because of all of the amazing things that are happening in Bethel Steele music land. I just returned to Boston after a FABULOUS trip to the <a href="http://www.nerfa.org" target="_new">NorthEast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference that was held in Kerhonkson, NY. I met some incredible people, had a lovely time, and got very little sleep! I think the best moment of the conference was when I was talking with my friend Marilyn on Friday night, just a day and a half into the conference, and told her "I could go home right now and feel like I had a great NERFA. Everything from here on out is gravy!" Well, almost immediately after saying that, Neale, one of the co-producers of my new record came up to me and handed me a "golden ticket." (Yes, I did start to sing the song from Willy Wonka.) And what, do you ask, does a golden ticket do for you at a conference like this?! Well, the golden ticket gives you the privilege of performing a ten minute set in front of a room of some of the region's top presenters... crazy, right?! I played two of the songs from the new record for these folks, which seemed very well received, and Neale got it all on video! I'll keep y'all posted as to when you can check out the videos yourselves!! So speaking of the new record, it is still slated to be released next Fall and it's already shaping up to be a really super project. You may know that I'm doing a<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bethelsteele/bethel-steeles-got-new-songs-its-time-for-a-new-al" target="_new"> Kickstarter Campaign for this record, as well. The Thursday that I left for NERFA, the project officially met the funding goal of $3000!! I can't tell you how giddy I was when this happened. Thank you to all of you who have already pledged, you folks are my granite slab!! Here's the deal though: there's still 3 days left to pledge to the campaign, and I'd really love for you to come on board and participate in the journey if you haven't already joined in! The more money that's raised during this campaign, the quicker I can get this record onto your doorstep and in your hands. I know it's a time of year where everyone is gearing up for the Holidays, but even a couple of bucks help, really. Plus, you'll get to listen to a track from the record if you pledge and see a really fun video as a thank you to all of you folks who are helping out so early in this process. (You can find these special bits for Backers Only under Update #5!) You can expect a Holiday surprise from me in your inbox Mid-December, so keep your eyes peeled, have a great holiday season, and see you soon! Love and hugs, Bethel  Hey beautiful people,

First of all, I want to wish you all a very, very happy Holiday season. I hope your travels are safe, and that your time with family or friends (or both!) is filled with great delight! I feel like the Holiday season has started early for me, not only because I work in the retail sector and it seems like the promotions for the Holidays start earlier and earlier, but because of all of the amazing things that are happening in Bethel Steele music land.

I just returned to Boston after a FABULOUS trip to the NorthEast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference that was held in Kerhonkson, NY. I met some incredible people, had a lovely time, and got very little sleep! I think the best moment of the conference was when I was talking with my friend Marilyn on Friday night, just a day and a half into the conference, and told her "I could go home right now and feel like I had a great NERFA. Everything from here on out is gravy!"

Well, almost immediately after saying that, Neale, one of the co-producers of my new record came up to me and handed me a "golden ticket." (Yes, I did start to sing the song from Willy Wonka.) And what, do you ask, does a golden ticket do for you at a conference like this?! Well, the golden ticket gives you the privilege of performing a ten minute set in front of a room of some of the region's top presenters... crazy, right?! I played two of the songs from the new record for these folks, which seemed very well received, and Neale got it all on video! I'll keep y'all posted as to when you can check out the videos yourselves!!

So speaking of the new record, it is still slated to be released next Fall and it's already shaping up to be a really super project. You may know that I'm doing a Kickstarter Campaign for this record, as well. The Thursday that I left for NERFA, the project officially met the funding goal of $3000!! I can't tell you how giddy I was when this happened. Thank you to all of you who have already pledged, you folks are my granite slab!!

Here's the deal though: there's still 3 days left to pledge to the campaign, and I'd really love for you to come on board and participate in the journey if you haven't already joined in! The more money that's raised during this campaign, the quicker I can get this record onto your doorstep and in your hands. I know it's a time of year where everyone is gearing up for the Holidays, but even a couple of bucks help, really. Plus, you'll get to listen to a track from the record if you pledge and see a really fun video as a thank you to all of you folks who are helping out so early in this process. (You can find these special bits for Backers Only under Update #5!)

You can expect a Holiday surprise from me in your inbox Mid-December, so keep your eyes peeled, have a great holiday season, and see you soon!

Love and hugs,
Bethel ]]> Sun, 20 Nov 2011 03:10:00 GMT D5350788A06C74BBDA2EC683CC58DBB6