Child of the Chain by Mary K. Shanahan

Co-produced by fellow Texas Singer-songwriter and Dualtone Records Recording Artist John Arthur Martinez in Austin, Texas, Child of the Chain features some of the greatest musicians in the history of Texas music; Floyd Domino, Lynn Daniel, Rich Brotherton, Paul Pearcy, Gene Elders, and John Arthur Martinez. Collectively, this multi-faith ensemble has garnered a multitude of Grammy Awards for Texas musicianship and songwriting. They individually record and perform with such industry stalwarts as George Strait, Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, The Dixie Chicks, Vince Gil, Robert Earl Keen, and Flaco Jimenez. Beloved Austin Singer-songwriter Christine Albert also makes an appearance on the CD with her stellar harmony vocals on several of the songs and hymns, and the project includes the stunning voice of Jill Hall, a noted liturgical Cantor in Austin. The rich and haunting vocals and tracks were captured in the studio by legendary Grammy-nominated producer/engineer Eric Paul, and mastered at Terra Nova Digital Audio by Jerry Tubb.

Mary is a past president of the Austin Songwriters Group, having served two terms as president in her four years on the ASG Board of Directors. She is affiliated with SESAC and is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Gospel Music Association. In addition to directing seven Austin Songwriters Conferences, she established nationally recognized educational programs in the craft and business of songwriting, including The Texas School of Songwriting, which was held each year with The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. She also established the ASG Songwriters in the Round in 1997 with publishers Richard Perna and Chris Dubois, a monthly event which still showcases singer-songwriters from Austin and throughout the country at such venues as Antones, the world famous blues club, and The Saxon Pub, a South Austin singer-songwriter stronghold.

"I'm ecstatic over this project and flattered that Mary K Shanahan invited me to co-produce the recording. I agreed to do so after listening to the sincerity of her demos. Her conviction to use her music to share her love of Christ and her skilled songwriting closed the deal. I'm certain there is such a thing as divine inspiration"

Artist/Producer John Arthur Martinez

"These songs are beautiful not only in vocals and music, but in words, as well, from the love song of the Holy Eucharist in "I Know Jesus," in which Shanahan talks about Jesus' true presence, to the Last Supper celebration of Holy Thursday night in the song "The Greatest Truth." Songs like "Kyrie Eleison, Sanctus and Lamb of God" have new life breathed into them by Shanahan."

www.catholicmusicnetwork.com December 2003 Artist Reviews

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