noreen crayton: press

The stereotype of "preacher's kids" includes images of rebellious young people whose wild and adventurous lifestyle is the exact opposite of what their parents teach and represents. Preacher's kids often find themselves living under constant pressure and scrutiny while all the time wrestling with the expectations of others. Closer to reality is the fact that preachers and the children who grow up in parsonages or pastor homes, make meaningful contributions to the body of Christ and the work of the church.

For the last 50 years, one of the outstanding icons of the church community has been that of Dr. Spurgeon E. Crayton of the Mt. Ollie Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Crayton's pastoral career includes that of the Calvary Baptist Church of East Hampton, the Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Amityville, NY and the Mt. Ollie Baptist Church where he recently retired from. He has served as Moderator of the Eastern Baptist Association, President of the Empire State Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education and a highly sought after pulpiteer on the national circuit.

From the seed of Dr. Crayton comes his daughter, Noreen Crayton, a superb singer and gospel artist who has recently released a gospel video entitled "Nobody Like Jesus". The gospel video is apart of her new CD project, "Diary of Deliverance", and is rapidly becoming a favorite for those who are following new artists on the horizon.

The musical accomplishments of Ms Crayton turns the traditional negative stereotype of "pk's" on its head and goes a long way to demonstrate that great talent and contributions still come from the parsonage of pastors.

“……..Noreen Crayton, who lends a much-needed sonic blast to the score’s best tune, Seasons of Love….” National Touring Company of RENT

Natascia Diaz, Rebecca Larkin, Terese Genecco Will Celebrate "The Best of NY Theatre"

Several Broadway and cabaret veterans will take the stage of the Video Lounge at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center March 12 and 13 to perform and take part in interviews, in “The Best of NY Theatre,” presented in conjunction with the 18th Original LGBT Expo.

The March 12 event will take place at 2 PM with a lineup including Noreeen Crayton (Rent national tour), Richard DeFonzo (VH1’s “Boys Will Be Girls”), MAC Award winner Terece Genecco, ventriloquist Paul Golio and Tinsel, and Tracy McDowell (Broadway’s Rent).

The March 13 performance will take place at 12:30 PM and will feature King Aswad (Rent national tour and Hollywood Bowl concert), Noreen Crayton, Natascia Diaz (Broadway’s Man of La Mancha and The Capeman) and Rebecca Larkin (Broadway’s Avenue Q and South Pacific).

According to press notes, “Expect to hear stories of pride, favorite tunes and new material!”

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is located at 655 West 34th Street. For tickets, ($15), call (212) 216-2000 or visit originalglbtexpo.com.

— Thomas Peter

Singer, Songwriter, Thespian

Ms. Crayton was one of the most eloquent of the recipients.  Having begun her singing career in the church, as has so many other great black singers, she was warm, charming and intelligent. And she give abundant props to Legos for creating this forum where multi-cultural  artists can meet and interact.  She was a delight to listen to.

Check out Noreen's interview on the IMA Website.  You'll read all about the history behind her winning song "Wallking In The Faith" 

http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/artist/noreen-crayton/

Congratulations to Noreen Crayton and Rob Galbraith (the producer) for winning the Independent Music Award in the Gospel Song Category.  'Walking In The Faith' can be heard on her debut cd, 'a diary of deliverance' on Angelic Star Records.  It will also be added to the Independent Music Award's compilation cd.  Both projects are available on iTunes.

For Immediate Release      January 26, 2010
New York's own Noreen Crayton joins All That Remains, Holly Go Lightly & The Brokeoffs,
Gemma Ray And Spinerette As Winners of THE 9TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS

“People’s Voice” Online Voting Component Will Determine The IMA Vox Pop Winners

January 26, 2010 –  New York based gospel artist, Noreen Crayton joins All That Remains,
 Holly Go Lightly & The Brokeoffs, Gemma Ray, Spinnerette and other self-released and independent label talent as Winners in The 9th annual Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

In working with Grammy nominated producer Rob Galbraith, Noreen Crayton has written the winning gospel song ‘Walking In The Faith.’  Musicians, Clayton Ivey, Larry Paxton, Greg Tornquist, Owen Hale, Jack Pearson and Larry Byrom have added their talents creating the flow that makes 'Walking In The Faith' the IMA judges' choice.  Currently, 'Up To Zion' co-written by Noreen and Greg Tornquist is on Grammy winner Ronnie Milsap's gospel cd 'Then Sings My Soul.'

The Winners in more than 50 album, song, music video and design categories culled from thousands of submissions from around the globe, were determined by a panel of 80 influential artists and industry pros including Tom Waits, The Black Keys, Ricky Skaggs, Pete Wentz, Mark Hoppus, Aimee Mann, The Apples in Stereo, David Garrett, Suzanne Vega, Bettye LaVette, Judy Collins, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward.

Music fans have until June 25 to champion their favorite Nominees at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox (www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com) to determine The 9th Independent Music Awards ‘People’s Voice’ Winners.

Details and complete list of Winners, Nominees and Judges available at: TheIndependentMusicAwards.com

iTunes® Launches The Independent Music Awards Store

“The IMAs celebrate artists who follow their own muse and the true music fans that support them”, said Martin Folkman, Executive Director of The Independent Music Awards.

The releases of the Album category winners will be featured at The Independent Music Awards page on the iTunes Store that launched Tuesday, January 26.

Additionally, the releases of the Album category Winners will be featured on the iTunes Indie Spotlight page at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewGrouping?id=40
 
“The artists who’ve been honored by The IMAs create some of the best music you may never have heard, and we’re delighted to promote them at the world’s largest music retailer”, said Folkman, “The Indie Spotlight section especially, is a boon to fans who seek a more unique and diverse play list”.

Artistry Has Its Awards

For the past 10 years, artists and labels from around the world have found new fans and prominence through The Independent Music Awards.

Produced by Music Resource Group, publisher of the popular industry contact database The Musician’s Atlas, The IMAs uses its unrivaled access to performance, promotion and distribution to connect Winners and Nominees to new audiences and revenue opportunities.

The program receives submissions from artists previously on major labels as well as self-released and indie label talent from more than 70 countries on six continents. 

Current and past Nominee and winners include: And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Cursive, fun., Dan Zanes, Ra-Ra-Riot, The Ckiks, Tom Yoder, Vienna Teng, Jamie Lidell, Lacuna Coil, The Trews, Joan As Police Woman, Koko Taylor, Miguel Migs, Speech, God Forbid, Lionel Loueke, Jeff Healey, Johnny Dowd, Chris Whitley, Ike Turner, The Apples in stereo, Mary Gauthier, Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland), The Mooney Suzuki, and Dengue Fever among many others.

Submissions for The 10th Independent Music Awards program are currently being accepted at: www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com

The 9th IMA Winners

[ALBUM CATEGORY WINNERS]

ALT. COUNTRY - ALBUM
Artist: Beat Circus
Album: Boy From Black Mountain
Label: Cuneiform

AMERICANA - ALBUM
Artist: Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs
Album: Dirt Don't Hurt
Label: Transdreamer

BLUES - ALBUM
Artist: Joe & Vicki Price
Album: Rain or Shine

CHILDREN'S - ALBUM
Artist: Charlie Hope
Album: I'm Me! A Collection Of Songs For Children
Label: Little Maple Leaf Productions

COLLEGE LABEL RELEASE - ALBUM
Album: AEMMP Records Chompilation
Label: AEMMP Records, Columbia College Chicago

CONCEPT - ALBUM
Artist: Phil Roy
Album: In The Weird Small Hours
Label: Ear Pictures

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN - ALBUM
Artist: John Mandeville
Album: We Belong To Heaven
Label: I.P.O. Records

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL - ALBUM
Artist: Heritage Orchestra feat. DJ Yoda
Album: G. Prokofiev Concerto for Turntables
Label: Nonclassical Recordings

COUNTRY - ALBUM
Artist: Dale Watson
Album: The Truckin' Sessions, Vol. 2
Label: Hyena Records

DANCE/ELECTRONICA - ALBUM
Artist: Alaska in Winter
Album: Holiday
Label: Milan Records

ECLECTIC - ALBUM
Artist: Gemma Ray
Album: Lights Out Zoltar!
Label: Bronzerat Records

FOLK/SINGER-SONGWRITER - ALBUM
Artist: Michael Zapruder
Album: Dragon Chinese C0cktail Horoscope
Label: Side Cho

GOSPEL - ALBUM
Artist: Russell Leonce
Album: Culture of Love

HARD ROCK/METAL - ALBUM
Artist: All That Remains
Album: Overcome
Label: Razor & Tie Entertainment

INDIE LABEL PROMO COMPILATION - ALBUM
Album: Cedille On The Move
Label: Cedille Records

JAZZ - ALBUM
Artist: Derrick Gardner & The Jazz Prophets
Album: Echoes Of Ethnicity
Label: Owl Studios

LATIN - ALBUM
Artist: Maestros del Joropo Oriental
Album: Y Que Viva Venezuela!
Label: Smithsonian Folkways

LIVE PERFORMANCE - ALBUM
Artist: Danielia Cotton
Album: Live Child
Label: Cottontown Records

NEW AGE - ALBUM
Artist: Rocky Fretz
Album: The Path Ahead...And Steps Then Taken

POP/ROCK - ALBUM
Artist: Spinnerette
Album: Spinnerette
Label: Anthem

PUNK - ALBUM
Artist: The So So Glos
Album: Tourism / Terrorism
Label: Green Owl

R&B - ALBUM
Artist: Michael Olatuja
Album: Speak
Label: Backdrop/ObliqSound

RAP/HIP-HOP - ALBUM
Artist: Illa J
Album: Yancey Boys
Label: Delicious Vinyl

WORLD BEAT - ALBUM
Artist: Oran Etkin
Album: Kelenia
Label: Motema Music

WORLD TRADITIONAL - ALBUM
Album: Blodeugerdd Song Of The Flowers: An Anthology Of Welsh Music And Song
Label: Smithsonian Folkways

[SONG CATEGORY WINNERS]

ACOUSTIC - SONG
Artist: Joanna Chapman-Smith
Song: "Little Miss Sunshine"

ALT. COUNTRY - SONG
Artist: My Cousin, The Emperor
Song: "A Long Way From Home"

AMERICANA - SONG
Artist: Tim Easton
Song: "Burgundy Red"
Label: New West Records

BLUES - SONG
Artist: Used Blues Band
Song: "Palm Reader Blues"

CHILDREN'S - SONG
Artist: Charlie Hope
Song: "I'm Me!"
Label: Little Maple Leaf Productions

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN - SONG
Artist:Christopher Williams
Song: "Anything But Fail"
Label: BiG ReD VaN Music

COUNTRY - SONG
Artist: Codie Prevost
Song: "Spin"
Label: Goos Spirit Records

COVER - SONG
Artist: Daisy Chapman
Song: "Umbrella" Orig. by Rihanna
Label: Dandyland

DANCE/ELECTRONICA - SONG
Artist: Codebreaker
Song: "Follow Me"
Label: Disco Demolition Records

FILM/TV/GAMING & MULTIMEDIA - SONG
Artist: The Submarines
Song: "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie" from the Apple iPhone 3GS ad
Label: Nettwerk

FOLK/SINGER-SONGWRITER - SONG
Artist: Wolf In the Fold
Song: "Death"

GOSPEL - SONG
Artist: Noreen Crayton
Song: "Walking in the Faith"
Label: Angelic Star Records

HARD ROCK/METAL - SONG
Artist: Moving Atlas
Song: "Becoming Blue"

JAZZ - SONG
Artist: Austin McMahon
Song: "Platone"
Label: Fractamodi

LATIN - SONG
Artist: Jimmy Fontanez
Song: "Mi Salsa Vocal"

LOVE - SONG
Artist: Emma-Lee
Song: "Until We Meet Again"
Label: Bumstead Productions

NEW AGE - SONG
Artist: Tom Yoder
Song: "Locked In"

POP/ROCK - SONG
Artist: fun.
Song: "All The Pretty Girls"
Label: Nettwerk

PUNK - SONG
Artist: The So So Glos
Song: "My Block"
Label: Green Owl

R&B - SONG
Artist: Shoshana Bean
Song: "Superhero"
Label: Shotime Records

RAP/HIP-HOP - SONG
Artist: Miles Jones
Song: "Coast to Coast"

SING OUT FOR SOCIAL ACTION - SONG
Artist: State Radio
Song: "Calling All Crows"
Label: Nettwerk

STORY - SONG
Artist: Lisa Carver
Song: "Bullets"
Label: Adroit Records

WORLD BEAT - SONG
Artist: The Very Best
Song: "Warm Heart of Africa" feat. Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig
Label: Green Owl

WORLD TRADITIONAL - SONG
Artist: Roman Miroshnichenko
Song: "Unforgiven"
Label: Raritet

[IMA MUSIC VIDEO CATEGORY WINNERS]

SHORT FORM
Artist: Anj
Video: "Gorbachev"

LONG FORM
Artist: The Jimmies
Video: Trying Funny Stuff DVD

[IMA DESIGN CATEGORY WINNERS]

ALBUM PACKAGING
Designer: Tri-Plex Packaging Corp. of New York
Package: Pete Seeger - American Favorite Ballads: Vol. 1-5

ALBUM PHOTOGRAPHY
Photo: Sholi

ARTIST/BAND PUBLICITY PHOTO
Photographer: Jason Grover
Photo: Blake Berglund

CONCERT/PERFORMANCE PHOTO
Photographer: Killshot Photography * Brooks Institute
Photo: GWAR

BAND/VENUE POSTER
Designer: Matt Kelley - One Lucky Guitar
Poster: Lead Belly

BAND WEBSITE New Rhodes

INDIE LABEL WEB SITE Razor & Tie

MUSIC BUSINESS WEBSITE Music2 Management

It is so awesome to finally see & hear Noreen’s first solo album – she has come a long, long way … I was reminiscing quite a bit over our ’ole touring times’ & how long we’ve known each other while I was listening to her first solo cd.

Noreen Crayton is an outstanding vocalist as well as an amazing performer. During our days on the road, I have had the wonderful opportunity of seeing her perform many, many times. And all I can say is: wheeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwww!

Noreen is a powerhouse singer who can take you from the faintest, sweetest note all the way to having her voice fill a whole church … and she wouldn’t necessarily need a mic to accomplish this. Above and beyond her vocal skills, she is also a wonderfully gifted performer who knows and genuinely interacts with her audience.

Everyone who has ever heard Noreen perform “In The Upper Room” will know what I’m talking about. This used to be *her* song on our Gospel Tours not because the MD *gave* her the song, no way, but because she *made* it her song by giving it all her voice, all her soul and all her trust and belief ~ and all her energy, too, *smiles*

Noré, congratulations on your debut album!!! 

Thank you so much & good luck for your cd!!!

If any of you ever have the chance to see Noreen perform live ~ by all means: go and see her! In the meantime, be sure to check out her website for more info!

 

Radio Interview

`Abyssinia` Is A Stunning Musical That Delivers Powerful Messages

August 19, 1988|By Michael Kilian, Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON — Seldom have 14 people so filled a stage or 14 voices raised in song so shaken a theater.

Getting from the regional stage to Broadway is always problematical, but America would seem to have a hot little potential hit on its hands.

It`s an all-black musical called ``Abyssinia,`` which opened last week at Washington`s Arena Stage. The play has nothing to do with the African country now known as Ethiopia. Rather, it tells the story of a young black girl, named Abyssinia Jackson, growing up in pre-World War I rural Oklahoma.

Born in a terrifying thunderstorm that brought labor to her mother in the middle of a cotton field, she is given the gift of an unnatural, highly spiritual power of song. Her voice becomes the glory of her local Baptist church, a medium through which the common black people of her community find healing, solace and a closeness to God.

But her knowledge of the world is one of innocence. The harsh, unfair and seemingly random tragedies of life are visited upon her in two ways-through the malevolent presence of a bitter unbeliever named Trembling Sally, who lost her children in a flood and seeks to deny God at every opportunity; and through a horrible and unexpected turn of events at a church picnic that leads to the rape of Abyssinia by the church deacon.

Abyssinia, born so close to God, must again find Him. She does so, by coming to grips with Trembling Sally`s torment and the poignant death of a beloved friend. She discovers that joy and salvation come from transcending evil, not avoiding it.

Taken from the novel ``Marked by Fire,`` by Joyce Carol Thomas,

``Abyssinia`` is as simple a tale as it is sweet and touching, but it deals more powerfully with the essential questions of life than many more ambitious theatrical productions. It would stand on its own as a work of drama, but as a musical vehicle it`s just plain stunning-especially with the numbers ``Pickin` Up the Pieces,`` a rousing gospel hymn to optimism, and ``Honey and Lemon,`` a song, sung from the heart, on the bittersweet nature of life.

The principals, both on and off stage, all seem to be people deservingly poised on the brink of stardom.

Noreen Crayton, who plays Abyssinia, is herself a devout Christian who first began singing in church. If her voice doesn`t quite have the extraordinary magic that the script would seem to require, it is wonderfully melodious, and Crayton certainly can act the part.

Tina Fabrique, who plays the doomed and beloved down-to-earth saint, Mother Vera, and sings the show-stopping ``Honey and Lemon,`` has ``The Wiz,`` ``Ain`t Misbehavin` `` and Duke Ellington`s ``Queenie Pie`` among her credits.

Cheryl Freeman, as Abyssinia`s comely, can`t-keep-her-down mamma, sings and dances most joyfully. Lehman Beneby`s charismatic performance as the minister is so captivating as to make anyone who sees and hears this play want to join his church.

There are some unfortunate theatrical stereotypes in ``Abyssinia.`` As the sassy, crotchety Aunt Selma, LaDonna Mabry is funny but so predictable she might as well wear a sign saying, ``comic relief.``

The music is by Ted Kociolek, pianist/conductor in the Broadway shows ``I Love My Wife,`` ``Barnum`` and ``My One and Only.`` Lyrics are by James Racheff, a cabaret comic familiar to audiences of National Public Radio`s

``All Things Considered.``

Tazewell Thompson, director/musical staging, won critical praise for his direction and choreography of Aaron Copland`s opera ``The Second Hurricane.`` Daryl Waters, musical director/arranger, has worked with Eartha Kitt and was musical director for productions of ``The Colored Museum,`` ``My Name is Alice`` and ``Ain`t Misbehavin`.``

``Abyssinia`` was born as an idea of New York`s Musical Theater Workshop, where it was first performed last year. The production was taken over by the Goodspeed Opera House of Chester, Conn., which is responsible for the casting, and then moved to Washington`s Arena Stage.

The response of the opening night audience was thunderous. ``Abyssinia``

is refreshing, unpretentious, authentic and a genuinely American musical. It deserves Broadway. At the very least, it deserves another regional stage after it ends its run at the Arena Sept. 4.

Mama, I Want to Sing Doris Winter Noreen Crayton Mama Winter Doris Troy Sister Carrie Kathleen Murphy-Palmer Minister of Music Charles Stewart The Civic Theater presents a musical written by Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro, directed by Wydro. Musical direction by Rudolph V. Hawkins. Presented through May 18 at 20 N. Wacker. 346-0270.

`Mama, I Want to Sing," a New York gospel revue making its Chicago debut, is just like a party that never stops. During the 2 1/2 hours that "Mama" fills the Civic Theater, untempered joy washes over the stage, simply bathing the audience in happiness. If sheer exhilaration can cure the blues, "Mama, I Want to Sing" has the power to heal what ails you.

"Mama" isn't a perfect show, however. The book is weak and the story line a bit too mawkish to be believed. The artificial device of having a radio announcer narrate the story sinks to a new low when the "Mama" producers introduce a group-sales commercial into the "broadcast."

But who cares? When rubber-kneed Charles Stewart leads the Reach Ensemble in full-throated, timber-shaking musical prayer, plot is unnecessary anyway. "Mama" might be a flimsy traditional musical but it succeeds as a loosely woven collection of powerfully delivered anthems.

The musical revue tells the tale of Doris Winter, a preacher's daughter who graduates from the church choir to the big time, battling her skeptical mother all the way. Winter is a pseudonym for Doris Troy, a real gospel-turned-pop singer who plays the role of Mama Winter in "Mama, I Want to Sing."

Noreen Crayton as Doris Winter displays awesome vocal talent. When singing as a little girl she pipes in a pretty little soprano. And then, overcome with emotion, she snarls, dives and whoops into the alto register, pulling a lifetime of longing out of each soulful phrase. As the play progresses, Crayton just keeps getting better. She's particularly fetching when she accurately mimes a young girl's fascination with growing up.

As good as Crayton is, Troy still can teach her a thing or two about soulful phrasing. Troy, who recorded the hit "Just One Look " in 1963, has the kind of rich, dark voice that caresses each note of a song. And when she really starts wailing, she can send electricity racing down a listener's spine.

Sharing the ability to get an audience whooping and hollering is Kathleen Murphy-Palmer, who tears into gospel numbers as Sister Carrie, Doris's family friend and mentor.

Surely the most frenetic performance is given by Stewart, who arches into backbends, leaps in the air and shimmies on flying feet as the high-on-the-Lord choir director. The man could give a mega-watt show of his own.

The production is anchored by the Reach Ensemble, a beautifully fine-tuned group of singers who have been coached and directed by Rudolph V. Hawkins, of the Hawkins family.

On Tuesday night, "Mama" ended with a foot-stomping jam featuring Troy in full voice and a swaying, clapping audience. The joy was in full throttle.

Amen.