little lighthouse by Christene LeDoux

conjuring the finest and most understated qualities of the current contemporary singer-songwriter genre."

Maverick Magazine/UK, Special Pick/Ladies Choice (2005):

"...Upon popping in this CD, and hearing the first notes of Enya-like, Christene can transport you to other lands, or bring you home to a place within your heart..."

"Christene paints perfect, little vignettes of life with her songs - all the richer due to the pleasure of listening to her sensual voice."

- Bill Groll, Austin Americana

"...a thoroughly nice record in every way."

- David Cowling, Americana UK

"...Little Lighthouse is packed with sixteen songs, with the first as good as the last..."

- Greg Tutweiler, Singer Magazine

Want to read more? SEE BELOW OR Email us at littlepumpkmusic@yahoo.com for the complete review/quote list...

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NEWS: Christene is now part of a trio based out of Austin, Texas and Stockholm, Sweden; http://www.TheBlackSheepGirlsMusic.com *Recording for the Black Sheep Girls will be underway this June in Crete, Greece and touring throughout Europe shortly after.

** TOURING EUROPE MAY - NOVEMBER 2006 SOLO and w/ trio, "The Black Sheep Girls" see website for schedule **

A recent Telluride Troubador Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist, Performing Songwriter Magazine's Top 12 DIY Pick and recipient of numerous songwriting awards, including The Billboard Song Contest & Mid-Atlantic Song Contest - Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike.

Reminiscent of Nanci Griffith, Eva Cassidy and Kate Wolf, Arthur Jefferson of 'San Francisco Art Magazine' put it best when he wrote, "The lyrics of Christene LeDoux are so clear and vivid that with each note and tone she emits, a detailed form seems to take shape in our minds. To call LeDoux a storyteller is to understate her skills. She is an artist creating exquisite imagery through song."

Armed with a map, the road ahead, an acoustic guitar, infectious laughter and a gift for storytelling, Christene LeDoux travels the world compelled to deliver her songs and stories. All of which are true tales of her family, those she has met along the way, as well as a candid glimpse at what her full-time life on the road is like.

From Sweet Patty, a heart-breaking song about her moms childhood as an orphan to Bus to the Ocean; the true tale of a woman making her may on the bus in San Francisco to set her husband's ashes free to Tumbleweed; a mesmerizing song about what it's like to make peace with life as a traveler to the rousing number Immigrant Day; a song inspired by the immigrants in San Francisco lining up day after day along Cesar Chavez St. looking for work.

Watching Christene perform live is like spending time with your closest friend. Her ease with her audience is alarming ... her stories both funny and tragic and just when you think you know where it's going, she takes you from tears to laughter in a matter of minutes.

Prior to finding her calling as a songwriter/story-teller, she moved around the United States, living in Arizona, Alaska, Connecticut, Colorado & California. Taking any job she could find, Christene did everything from fueling airplanes at the Grand Canyon, writing sports in Flagstaff, building lipstick holders in Connecticut, working in real estate and photographing skiers in Colorado to a brief stint living in Alaska.

In late 1998 (early 1999) while working as a full-time live-in nanny in San Francisco, CA by day, Christene began a furious exploration into the San Francisco songwriter scene by night. On weekends, Christene financed her Debut CD, "little lighthouse" by working as a clown and children's party planner and dog-walker with her business, "Christene's Care Dog Walking." All the while, Christene ran three marathons for the The American Diabetes Association, The Leukemia Society of America and The Arthritis Foundation. To raise money for the charities, Christene began producing shows and "Acoustic Melodies the series" was born. Booking artists from around the world, Christene held the shows across Northern California.

While still living on the West Coast, Christene found time to write about the music scene for San Francisco's Sunset Beacon as well as hold a manager position with The West Coast Songwriter Association. Over the years, Christene volunteered for Bread & Roses (Bread & Roses is dedicated to uplifting the human spirit by providing free, live, quality entertainment to people who live in institutions or are otherwise isolated from society) Big Brothers/Big Sisters and The Salvation Army amongst others.

As her full-time life as nanny began to take less precedence and the odd jobs and marathon training taking too much time, Christene decided it was time to prioritize and make music her "day job."

Then began a difficult but rewarding year playing San Francisco's famous Fisherman's Wharf. Braving the city by the bays notoriously moody weather, Christene built up a 4000+ mailing list with fans reigning from around the world and sold 5000+ of her home-burned 5-song ep, "Accidentally Happy."

In 2002, Christene re-located from San Francisco, CA to Nashville, TN. Shortly after, driven by her insatiable wanderlust, Christene decided paying rent was only taking away money she could use for her music. She decided to make the road her home, leaving Nashville and her apartment behind, camping at campgrounds and on the couches of friend's, family & fans everywhere.

Still too restless to settle down, Christene decided to officially make the road her home and adopted a full-time life touring and living out of a 1972 vintage Safari Airstream trailer. No longer based in any one place, while in America, Christene toured the countryside as an invited guest at various festivals, conferences, radio stations and venues in her "house on wheels." Recently, Christene has begun part-time living in Austin, Texas. The rest of the time, Christene bases herself in London, England. Along the way, she continues to pick up songwriting awards and to date, has sold nearly 6000+ copies of her Debut CD, "little lighthouse" since its release in 2003.

An independent musician, Christene handles all her booking, management & publicity under her own label, "Little Pumpkin Music." (Named after her god-daughter "pumpkin" AKA Noelle). She's on tour over 250-300 days a year and with her free time, likes to go on bubble machine expeditions with her nieces Camila and Maya.

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When not freelancing for a variety music magazines, Christene is dedicated to supporting many organizations helping in the fight against aids, homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse, alcoholism, eating disorders, mental health issues, health care (or lack thereof) and more in the United States and Worldwide. *Including "New Songs for Peace" a United Nations Endorsed Project where her song, "The Entertainer" is being featured. *Christene's song, "Sweet Patty" is being used to by ARYI (African Regional Youth Initiative) a collaboration of hundreds of youth and community-based projects and organizations in Africa working to fight HIV/AIDS. (most notably in children orphaned from the disease) *Her song, "Dear Mr. President" is also included on the recently released Compilation CD, "Peace Talks." *Christene is featured alongside James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Dar Williams, Third Eye Blind amongst others with her song, "Guardian Angel" (written after witnessing a friend practicing bulimia) with Mpower. Mpower is sponsored by the National Mental Health Association. *Christene has just been appointed spokesperson and is on the advisory board for Clear Channel's Campaign against Breast Cancer, "Help Cure Breast Cancer..." working with the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Watch Christene's site for upcoming shows, compilations CD's and more to Benefit these fine organizations...

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A sampling of a few REVIEWS:

"Fish Records," Shrewsbury, England - Neil Pearsons, June 2004:

"I received an email from Christene when she had just started as a professional singer/songwriter, she had recorded a few songs and the one I heard was excellent - I made a mental note to remember the name and to look out for her in the future. That was about four years ago and earlier this year she contacted me again, this time to pass on her beautifully packaged and presented debut album. She has a clear and expressive voice that demands you listen to the story she's telling, in many ways she is similar in sound and delivery style to Dar Williams, and her vocals suit the acoustic based arrangements perfectly. Christene is a wonderful writer and the lyrics are excellent throughout, but the strongest tracks on the album are stunningly good, 'Sweet Patty' is a poignant tale of a mother leaving her daughter in an orphanage, it's a great piece of songwriting, but when you realize the story relates to her own mother and grandmother the whole piece becomes sharper. This 'real-life'approach to her writing continues across the whole disc, 'The Entertainer' tells the story of a homeless lady and her journey the street, and 'Bus to the Ocean' tells of a chance meeting with widow taking her husband's ashes to be scattered in the sea - throughout the disc it's obvious that many songs ar inspired by real experiences, and that gives the album a unique and intimate feel. While it may not be the most upbeat singer/songwriter disc around, the atmosphere is tempered by the strong melodies and excellent arrangements; this gives the disc a balanced feel and makes it accessible from the first listen. The instrumentation is subtle and detailed with various guitars, bass and percussion alongside the less obvious dulcimer and bowed bass; it gives the disc variety while still obviously remaining a traditional singer/songwriter album. 'Little Lighthouse' may be Christene's debut, but it's the work of a mature and focused artist, and it contains some of the strongest writing you could wish to hear. Fans of Dar Williams, Patty Griffin et al will find much to enjoy here, as it's an acoustic singer/songwriter disc of real quality and depth. Highly recommended."

"Good Times," Santa Cruz, CA - Amanda Martinez, July 2003: The door guy is begrudgingly passing out Kleenex and the bartender is being heavy-handed with the sweet-and-sour mix. Yes, the melancholic/ruminative folk of another angelic-voiced soul is mingling with the rustic, cabin ambiance of Henfling's Tavern. Christene LeDoux asks simply that you surrender your heart and drink up the home-made nostalgia she's serving up by the pint. Her unassuming and deliberate, melodic whisper will massage your weary temples while her words reassuringly permit and encourage your sadness, promising bittersweet enlightenment to those brave enough to succumb."

"Good Times," Santa Cruz, CA - Amanda Martinez, August 2003 (reviewing a sold-out show at Henflings, Santa Cruz, CA):

"You've got to get comfortable before baring your soul, so LeDoux took off her shoes before she sang a single note. Perched on a small stool with her beloved autographed guitar, LeDoux embarked on a lengthy set of road songs. Stories about her family, travels, remnants of old lovers, and a motley list of jobs, most of which she was fired from, consumed the subject matter of songs. LeDoux's vocals began with a low, emotive whisper and swelled to a rich, lugubrious wail while her melodies, catchy and repetitive swung over simple, but satisfying guitar accompaniment. Keeping her eyes firmly closed during all songs, LeDoux revealed her personality to the audience during interstitial conversation. The attentive audience remained respectively hushed throughout, asking politely that talkers "speak less," closing outside doors carelessly left ajar, and giving the eye to rowdy inebriates who obliviously strutted into the Tavern turned concert space. Every bar act should be so lucky."

Kevin Cordi, Nationally Known Professional Storyteller, West Hills College, June 2003:

"Christine is a Storyteller. Regardless if she is using a guitar to carry her voice, she is first a storyteller. Her stories coupled by her melody is enchanting, inviting, and most of all, personal. She is a folk singer/storyteller that includes us with each tale. As we listen we are invited to join in the memories, the pictures, and the stories. The pictures unfold from her words, her music, and most of all her. Her clearly designed craft is fashioned like a home maid quilt, each stitch echoes her life, and each fabric forms a beautiful realistic mosaic of her art and her adventures. She is a singer, a storyteller, but most of all a gift giver. Her stories and her songs are her greatest gift."

Arthur Jefferson of San Francisco Art Magazine reviewing a show in Los Angeles at the popular night club, "The Mint":

"The lyrics of Christene LeDoux are so clear and vivid that with each note and tone she emits, a detailed form seems to take shape in our minds. To call Ledoux a storyteller is to understate her skills. She is an artist creating exquisite imagery through song. Her entire performance was pure art, her voice of angelic purity."

"Sing out" Summer 2003 Vol. 47 #2:

"After listening to a couple of songs on Little Lighthouse on thing is clear: Christie LeDoux has a great voice. While songs like "Daddy's Café" may sound like typical singer-songwriter fare, the emotion-filled vocals make the lyrics seem more real. Also, don't miss LeDoux's folky version of Fleetwood Mac's 'Landslide.'" -RL

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Want to HOST A HOUSE CONCERT, book a college or venue, RADIO and more in the US, UK or beyond? Read MORE? JOIN Christene's MAILING LIST? All that and more @:

http://www.LittlePumpkinMusic.com or BY EMAILING:

Little Pumpkin Music/Management/Booking

USA/Canadian/European Contact:

Email: BenWylie@LittlePumpkinMusic.com

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