The heart of a warrior, voice of an angel

I first met Shannon Curtis when she was touring the college circuit back in 2010. Curtis is a true singer/song writer. Listening to her heartfelt performance, her music became instantly likeable and relatable. As she tells her stories, a feeling of familiarity arises.

At the end of Curtis’ performance, I interviewed her for the campus TV station and purchased a CD. My daughter insists that I bring her the CDs of artists I interview. One spin of the CD and the kid was hooked.

I would like to shoot the person who invented repeat play, but if my child is going to drive me crazy with repeated music, at least it’s good music. As I jokingly griped Curtis out in an e-mail, I informed her that her "music is like crack for tweens."

Over the last year, Shannon Curtis has been living and breathing in the walls of my home as my daughter consistently plays the music over and over. I can’t complain too much because it’s much better than my daughter’s other favorite CD, Taylor Swift.

My daughter’s favorite song is “Boomerangs and Seesaws” off of the 2010 album, I play the piano and sing love songs. The song was also previously released on her 2007 EP Boomerangs and Seesaws. Other EPs include, Paris Can’t Have You from 2008 and Why Don’t You Stay? from 2009.

I play piano and sing love songs is Curtis’ first LP. It is all piano and vocal arrangements and includes some of her most popular songs from her first three EPs. Other songs on the LP include, "Before The Sun," "Don't Call Me," "Lay Me Down," "Unfinished Business," "Wasted," "Happens Every Day," "I Like To Think," "Leave You Behind," "Why Don't You Stay?" and my personal favorite "I'm Ruined."

Curtis is from Los Angeles, California, where her producer/mixer husband Jamie Hill works with her closely on her music. Her song “Before the Sun” was featured on MTV’s The Hills. She has sold nearly 10,000 albums and is currently touring her new single, "Brightest Light in the Room."

“Brightest Light in the Room” was released digitally worldwide by Saint Cloud Records on May 31, 2011. Saint Cloud has also released a limited collector’s-edition “Brightest Light” single, on audiophile-quality CD; the individually hand-stamped and serialized recycled chipboard packages include five remixes, a radio edit, an instrumental version, an a cappella, an exclusive B-side, and a miniature collectible print of an original artwork created for the song by artist Katie Zeigler (www.ktblue.com).

The single was spurred when one of Curtis’ fans asked her to write a song for a marriage proposal. It was written for two retired U.S. Army servicewomen. The couple became fans of Curtis' music on Pandora Internet Radio. A recent press release revealed that the couple of 10 years were on separate deployments to Iraq. They say her music helped them to find calm in the midst of war.

For merchandise and music visit her store here.

It is not hard to see Curtis has a courageous heart. Her strong beautiful voice roars out the lines, boldly and melodically.

In the face of a world which is jaded by fear of emotion, Shannon Curtis still has the courage to love.

Photo by: Steve Babuljak