Sonia Lee, Singer/Songwriter

Singer/Songwriter Sonia Lee grew up in Rochester, NY, steeped in the rich heritage of the area's Ukrainian community. The daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, she began singing at the age of three and picked up her first guitar at 12 years old (when the Ukrainian camp guitarist didn't show up for the gig!).

But Sonia's heritage was not her only influence. She loved to listen to the music of the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and the singer/songwriters of the thriving American folk music scene in upstate New York. She listened -- and she dreamed of being a songwriter. It was this dream that would lead Sonia to Nashville.

After years of honing her unique singing style performing in the Northeast, Sonia moved to Music City in 1998. As she sat in the quiet dark of Nashville's famous songwriter haunt, the Bluebird Cafe, ingesting and dissecting the words and melodies, she knew she had found her calling.

But those first few years after her move were difficult times for Ms. Lee and she found herself relying more and more on alcohol to help her through. Sonia now talks openly about those days and about how her life and her ambitions slowly spiraled downward. It was during that dark time that Sonia met a network of supportive people who shared with her a design for living that was to change her life. She has now been free from alcohol for many years. This freedom defines the spirit of her songwriting on her third CD, "Chance To Start Over".

Soon after her new-found path began, Sonia started to write by herself as well as with co-writers who believed as she did -- in love, forgiveness, and redemption. And she became part of Nashville's songwriting community, singing in songwriter "rounds" at the Bluebird, where she'd watched so many great songwriters perform.

Kim McLean was one of the songwriters with whom she formed a kinship and later a creative partnership in the studio. Kim was to produce Sonia's first project, "From the Heart", a fresh musical interpretation of traditional Ukrainian folk songs.

"From The Heart", garnered solid critical acclaim, followed by a successful tour of Ukrainian audiences across America and Ukraine. For her next project, Sonia again enlisted producer Kim McLean, and together they recorded "True", an album of self-penned and co-written anthems and moving ballads drawn from the tapestry of Sonia's own "True" life.

In 2006, Sonia performed at the world renowned Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, TX. Hailed as "the" festival for up and coming songwriters, this event draws nearly 50,000 music lovers annually. Sonia opened her heart and her voice for the folks at Kerrville, and was rewarded by being chosen as one of 32 finalists out of the more than 800 applicants.

And again, in 2008, Sonia won a "New Folk Finalist" award from the Kerrville Festival.

As a singer/songwriter, Sonia Lee writes from personal experience -- the high-roads and the detours, the tears and the triumph. In January, 2007, at a standing room only release party for her self-produced third CD, "Chance To Start Over", fans and friends at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe shared in the newest chapter of Sonia's growth as a singer/songwriter and as a woman whose life-long dreams have risen above her past struggles.

"Chance To Start Over" carries a positive message of strength and hope that Sonia has found on the sometimes rocky path of her personal journey. Anyone who has faced difficult times, regardless of the challenge, will find an uplifting message in each of these twelve songs.

Tim Thompson, Jazz Guitarist & Singer/Songwriter

Tim Thompson, New York born, Minnesota grown, now Nashville guitarist, singer/songwriter and producer, while mastering his instrument, has developed his own unique guitar style with hints of some of his heroes: Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Chet Atkins, and others. When Tim is not in some Nashville studio playing on songs for other artists and songwriters, he's wood-shedding on his own music. Tim's intricate and energetic finger-style interpretations of some of the great classics can be heard on his two solo instrumental guitar CDs Christmas and Cathedral, and his latest album Revved Up. Tim's arrangement and performance of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, is featured in the soundtrack for Casper's Haunted Christmas. (The Friendly Ghost)

Thompson's drive for perfection in his music doesn't stop at his skillful guitar work. His song lyrics on his latest singer/songwriter release Bring On The Giants reveal a clear, introspective quality that comes from hours of reading great literature and studying the craft of lyric writing. Tim's songs paint a picture with words and melodies that will move the listening audience.

In addition to producing his own three CDs, Tim produces other artists, helping them discover the heart of their own music. These include Mike Brandon (Kerrville Folk Festival winner), Nelda Sisk (Kerrville finalist), Tirk Wilder (writer of the theme song for the hit TV series "Walker Texas Ranger"), Anne Kristen (Norway), Jamie-Sue Seal (Detroit), and others.

Tim's live performances are the culmination of all his hard work, and reveal Tim's candid, down to earth personality, seen often at Nashville's world renowned Blue Bird Café and solo concerts around the US. He has appeared on The Grand Ole Opry's WSM radio program "Opry Star Spotlight" with host Matthew Gillian, performed live bumper music for nationally syndicated talk show host, Phil Valentine, and NPR's "The Songwriter Sessions."

Thompson's rich style has brought recognition through endorsements by Canadian Guitar Company, Garrison Guitars, Elixir Strings, and national record distribution with New Day Christian Distributors. Tim has accumulated a large catalog of songs and has had his songs recorded by artists that have received extensive airplay in the US and Europe.