NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 14, 2008) — Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of three rising, independent female musicians to its artist roster.
Hilary McRae, the latest to be promoted by Starbuck's, Pantene Pro-Voice winner
Libbie Schrader and
Jen Woodhouse are all smart singer/songwriters with something to say, and now, they have a Yamaha endorsement deal to help them say it.
"Yamaha is always keeping an eye out for refreshing, impressive musicians that can truly make an impact on today's music industry, and these three definitely have something to offer," comments Chris Gero, Vice President of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. "They are incredibly talented and we look forward to supporting them along their musical journey".
The first developing artist to be signed to Hear Music (the label started by Concord Music Group and Starbuck's),
McRae is a 21-year-old writer/singer/pianist who seems to have time traveled to this decade from the 1970s. Her debut album
Through These Walls thrums with the vibrant rhythms and textures of old-school, horn-drenched, uptown R&B, a dynamic setting for the timelessly bittersweet songs and rich, dusky alto of this stunningly accomplished newcomer. McRae studied at Berklee School of Music after winning a scholarship in a songwriting competition in her hometown of Boca Raton, Florida. She plays a Yamaha P250 digital piano and a Motif ES6.
 Libbie Schrader |
Born and raised in Oregon,
Schrader is a songwriter with a passionate alt-pop/rock style. She was the first winner of the Pantene Pro-Voice competition, beating out more than 1,200 other female-fronted acts for the award. She's also opened for Jewel, Rusted Root and appeared on the 2006 Gilmore Girls season finale performing her song "Sweet When You Wanna Be." Her song "Wish You Were the Woman" was a semi-finalist in the 2007 International Songwriting Competition. Schrader is embarking on a tour all over the East Coast before heading to Austin in March for the South by Southwest music festival. She plays a Yamaha P-80 keyboard, FG-411C acoustic guitar and C7 grand piano.
 Jen Woodhouse |
The daughter of a military family,
Woodhouse's musical range is inspired by her extensive forays into different countries and cultures. She is currently on tour in Asia promoting her sophomore album
The Shaping & Shifting of Objects & Sound, which follows her critically acclaimed 2005 debut
This Honest Age. A collection of cleverly spun tales of realism that relate to the many sides of the persona,
The Shaping & Shifting of Objects & Sound shows off Woodhouse's contemplative lyrics and her seamless ability to move from piano to guitar, weaving imaginative pop, folk and jazz melodies with her powerful voice. She plays a Yamaha C7 grand piano and an S90 ES synthesizer.
