Christmas - Plain & Simple by Michele McLaughlin

Over the course of the next 9 years, Michele continued to compose songs. In December of 2000, she compiled and released 18 of her favorites on her first album, Beginnings, on cassette tape. The response she received from friends and family after the release of Beginnings was an overwhelming eye-opener for Michele. She was so moved by the positive feedback and response that she was inspired to work on her second album, Elysium.

In the fall of 2001, Michele purchased a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano for the purpose of recording and mastering her songs in a more professional manner and in December 2001, she released her second album, Elysium, on CD. This album was a critical turning point on Michele's musical path. It was due to the encouragement and support she received from friends and family that she made it her goal to try to release an album once a year around Christmastime. In December 2002 Michele released her first "theme album", The Journey, which is the musical story of her transformation to motherhood and the crucial changes she made to ensure a better life for her son. In December 2003 Michele released A Change of Color and re-released Beginnings on CD after improving and re-mastering most of the songs. In December 2004 she released another "theme album", The Beginning of Forever, which is the musical story about her discovery of love and the joy it has brought to her life. She also completed her sixth album, After The Storm, in December 2005.

In early 2006 Michele recorded 20 of her best songs in the studio for the first time on acoustic grand piano. She released these re-recorded songs on her seventh album, Reflections 2000-2005 The Best Of Michele McLaughlin. This album provides a delightful sound difference from the original recordings.

Michele recently completed her eighth album, Christmas - Plain & Simple, which includes 10 traditional Christmas songs and 5 original compositions.

Several of Michele's songs from her "Best Of" album are now playing on Whisperings Solo Piano Radio with artists such as David Nevue, Jace Vek, David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani, Wayne Gratz and many other talented artists.

In addition, several of her songs from A Change Of Color are being played on Music Choice Soundscapes digital music station via local digital cable and satellite providers.

Michele's musical influences include George Winston, Jim Brickman, Paul Cardall, David Nevue, Jon Schmidt, Kevin Kern, Suzanne Cianni and Lori Line. She has been particularly inspired and moved by the music of George Winston.

In March 2005, Michele performed her first piano concert in a small venue. It is Michele's dream to someday play in a large concert hall. She currently produces and manufactures her albums independently. It is her dream to someday record her albums professionally in a studio setting. In the meantime she is currently working on improving her home studio set-up and someday hopes to start her own recording label.

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