Night and Day by Shannon Chase

The favorite comment pertaining to her voice that she ever received was when a woman told her she had 'golden pipes'. Throughout middle school she starred in production after production. Her favorite role was that of Dorothy in "The Wizard of OZ". As a high school freshman she was accepted into the NH All State Music Festival and as a result of that toured Europe with 180 students chosen from all over the US with the United States Youth Ensemble. "I had an incredible time with the US Youth Ensembles!" Shannon raves, "I went as a scared kid and came back with 179 new friends. We had the amazing opportunity to sing the best songs with the best people in the best places." Some of her favorites include Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and St. Marks Square in Venice. They traveled to Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and England in the span of one month. "An experience of a lifetime," Shannon says. "After this trip I knew I wanted more."

During her high school years she continued to write song after song turning both heart ache and teen angst into what she considered 'bonafide' hits. When she turned 17 she decided to teach herself to play the guitar so that she could play her songs in public and begin having her music heard. Shannon doesn't consider herself a guitarist at heart but she says, "Sometimes you have to do something you don't like to be able to do something you love." Shannon hoped that people would look past her amateur guitar status and listen to her voice and her music.

After learning the basics of guitar, Shannon began competing in talent shows (winning most) and playing at local coffee houses and open mics in the NH area. After graduating high school a semester early, at the age of 17, she embarked on a solo bus trip cross country. Having toured eight countries in Europe she was anxious to see her own country. With only her guitar, a backpack, and an Ameripass Greyhound ticket that allowed her to travel anywhere in the US for 20 days, Shannon rode the bus alone cross country. Along the way she played her guitar in bus stations for some extra cash and in youth hostels, creating a group of fans wherever she went. In Hollywood she played at some open mics for enthusiastic, and appreciative crowds. She had a wonderful time being out on her own with no itinerary to follow. "I never once felt alone," she comments, "I met incredible people at each place I went." Eager to realize her goal of recording her debut album, Shannon headed home to her dream.

Now, barely 22, Shannon has finished what she hoped for most. She has spent the last few months at Mixed Emotions Studio in Middleton, MA with talented engineer Kenny Lewis making her dream a reality. Working with talented musicians such as Michael Sweet, Peter Vantine, LeRoix Hampton III, Russ Lawton, and Lou Spagnola, the songs that sat for too long in a single 3 ring binder tucked under the bed have breathed new life. A quote from the very talented piano player on Shannon's album has this to say:

"It was a joy working with Shannon on her debut CD. Her songs are uplifting and really "hook" you in, as a well-crafted song should. Her melodies are very catchy. I found myself humming them for days after tracking the keyboard parts. Her vocals have a smooth, gentle quality to them that draws you in to her music. This was one of those projects you hope for, one that is enjoyable and creative from start to finish. Shannon also has a very down-to-earth, humble way about her which is refreshing to find in an often cynical industry. I wish her well on all her future music endeavors." - Peter Vantine

Now that the CD's finished Shannon has discovered that the work has only just begun. The album has been out for about two months and she's had an interview with 95.7 WZID and her song played on the air, an article in the Concord Monitor and the Goffstown News, and an upcoming article in NH Magazine. She's had some interest from Nickleodeon and been voted "Website of the Week" by NH.com. She had a CD release party in July with a huge turnout and has shows planned for the future.

Shannon realizes that making one CD will not guarantee her success in a business that has shattered more than one dream. She sums it up with this. "I love making music more than anything else. Creating a catchy hook or a haunting melody makes me happier than I've ever been. So even if I don't get rich and famous tomorrow or even EVER, I can't give up singing and writing. It's who I am and you should never give that up." She has the highest hopes of sharing her music with the world and getting to do what she loves every day. And someday, she hopes that someone will hear themselves compared to the singer Shannon Chase and feel proud because hey, she sounds pretty great.

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