Individual Bio's :: NHW Songwriter's Tour
JAMES CASTO-
James Casto has played to capacity crowds at venues such as the Swallow at the Hollow in Georgia, the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Kavehaz in New York City, and Uncommon Ground in Chicago. He is a 3-time winner in the Nashville Songwriters Association International-Country Music Television Songwriting Contest and has written commercial and special project music for Kroger, Mazda, the Georgia Special Olympics, Camp Hope, The Mikel Foundation, and Belanger Corp. James was originally born in Washington D.C. and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He broke into the Atlanta music scene as a drummer and continues to play live gigs and do session work in between his performing songwriter shows. His background as a drummer is evident in his percussive style of piano playing. For the last three years, James has focused on songwriting within the Nashville pop-country market. Never intending to become a performer, Casto says he fell into doing live shows; "The songwriting business is so competitive that it has become very difficult to get heard. Out of desperation to give my songs some sort of hope, I started performing live a few years ago. It has opened some doors for me that otherwise probably would not have been there, so I'm grateful." » www.jamescasto.com or myspace.com/jamescasto
SABRINA-
Sabrina blends an eclectic mix of soulful vocals and intense rhythm guitar work in a style that is distinctly her own. Compared to contemporaries such as Tracy Chapman and Joan Armatrading, her particular style is reminiscent of 1960's folk singer Richie Havens and Joni Mitchell. Sabrina has incorporated these and other musical influences into a mesmerizing mix of folk, acoustic rock, gospel and jazz. A Nashville favorite, she has appeared around the country including Nashville's legendary Tin Pan South Festival and the Bluebird Cafe. Her debut CD is due out in 2006. » myspace.com/justsabrina or www.sabrinasongs.com
JOE WEST-
Joe West is a must see in Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, or anywhere else he plays these days. Born into talent, his parents, Sarge and Shirley West had a successful career as a country music duo with national hits like "Ain't It A Shame" and "Good Time Tonight." Joe has found his own success performing at venues such as the Museum of the Horse, The Spencer Theater, and Grant Park in Chicago, and the Bluebird Café in Nashville. Joe has been a winner of the Gibson Songwriting Contest and a finalist in the Charlie Daniels Talent Roundup. » myspace.com/mercyofgod
JP WILLIAMS-
JP Williams www.jpwilliams.net was born in the small town of Clarksville, Indiana, but soon moved to Dallas, TX where as a child he lived a life singing in the children's choir at church and growing up with his two sisters. His childhood resembled that of most any other child in America, except that J.P. was born blind in his right eye, and then at the tender age of ten, glaucoma in his left eye took his sight completely.
After a few years of adjustment as well as out right frustration John began to look for something to hold on to and call his own. He turned to his love of music and began to teach himself to play guitar. JP had found an outlet of expression that changed his life forever.
After graduating from the Tennessee School for the Blind, JP started attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (where he received a B.A. in music) and began playing with local bands. Subsequent to receiving his degree he started looking for the next step to take in his career. It was this search that took J.P. to Atlanta. JP is now an active part of the music landscape in Atlanta and Nashville and is considered by many critics as one the best emerging artists in the South.
Festival and concert appearances have allowed JP to share bills with Bruce Hornsby, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Charlie Daniels, CCR, Ricky Skaggs, and Edwin McCain. JP's popularity is certainly growing as evidenced by a recent sold-out show at the famous Bluebird Cafe Nashville. » www.jpwilliams.net or myspace.com/jpwilliamsmusic
Songwriter's Spotlight: NHW Songwriter's Tour
