VVV EXCLUSIVE: INTRODUCING HALO WHEELER, "MUSIC'S NEXT BIG THING"

"Southern Songbird About To Take Flight"

(Huntsville, AL.) --Varion Walton still knows how to go out and get the "BIG ENTERTAINMENT STORY!" Check out this VISION/VOICE/VARION EXCLUSIVE with one of the hottest music producers, Kelvin Wooten (Django Unchained) and his new protege' who is earning comparison's to Whitney Houston.  Introducing, 15 year old "Halo" Wheeler! 

ITS OFFICIAL, A MUTUAL LOVE AFFAIR IS TRULY A "BLESSED PROJECT!"

Terry Townsend's CD RELEASE/LISTENING PARTY--May 26, 2013

(Huntsville, AL.)--Great Event!  Huge success!  Wow, what a blast. I got such a kick out of watching Terry Townsend, a soft spoken, humble man come out of his shell last night during his official CD Release and Listening Party for his brand new project entitled ‘A Mutual Love Affair!’  

For months I've been telling you about this forthcoming project. Last night, after much anticipation  Townsend performed the title track and two other songs from his previous CD, "The Blessed Project" before a standing room only crowd.  He looked and sounded like a million bucks dressed in a bright red jacket that instantly cued everyone in on who was the "real star" in the room.  

It was my first time seeing this "regular guy" tap into his "super-star" alter ego. For months we worked together, side-by-side promoting and campaigning support for the release of this new project. After all that time, it finally hit me I had never heard Terry Townsend 'hum"or sing a single note.

Last night he stepped up to the microphone and literally blew everyone away in the room, including his music producer and friend Kelvin Wooten of "Django Unchained" fame.  "I almost forgot how passionate Terry is about his music and honestly it's been about seven years since I've seen him sing before we started rehearsals for tonight almost three weeks ago." Nice endorsement from the Alabama based musician whose ‘star power’ is "rising" in Hollywood. 

Kelvin Wooten is a Grammy-nominated producer who earned fame in Tinseltown with "Freedom," a single on The Django Unchained movie soundtrack. "Freedom," recorded in Athens is a duet performed by R&B mega-star and Grammy Award winning singer Anthony Hamilton and newcomer Elayna Boynton.

Much like Hamilton, Townsend’s roots are grounded in gospel music. In the early years he performed in several different quartets and worked as a background singer on projects connected to everyone from Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Patty Austin and Michael McDonald. 

Over the years those performances took a back seat to him simply being a businessman, a loving husband, father and grandfather. Today, there has clearly been an "awakening" for this humble electrician because he looked comfortable and right at home as he took ‘center stage!’

After 13 years Townsend is writing a new chapter in his rich history with gospel music. The success of his sophomore project is based on the right combination of talent and growth vocally. 'A Mutual Love Affair' is a rich, sultry duet performed by Alexandria Thomas and co-written by Canita Rogers.  The title track has a tremendous amount of crossover appeal and is already getting airplay on jazz and R&B radio stations in the U.S. and the UK.  ‘Whatsoever’ is an up-tempo single on the album that is also sure to be a hit with music fans.

It was especially rewarding to see the support Townsend received from other independent rising stars. Daniel Beard, Kenn Orr and Shekina N Glory were just a few of the industry insiders packed into the intimate setting at The Reserve at Research Park Club House.  

The clubhouse which is a breath taking glass-donned building showcased right in the center of this exclusive complex was a beautiful backdrop for the performances of other specially invited guests; including Comedienne Joy who served as emcee, Spoken Word artist Kimeko Farrar, Jazz Saxophonist Dr. Reginald Jackson a Ameia Davis, a 15 year old praise dancer who performed as Townsend sang "Shadow of the Cross" from his first CD, "The Blessed Project!"

I simply can't wait to see the 'memorable moments' captured by featured photographer Richie Carter of Richie Carter Photography.  Carter made certain everyone was "red carpet ready" as they entered the building.

Townsend's longtime friend and colleague Minister Fred Whitlow, of the "NO MORE DIRTY," a local cable public affairs television show has also cheered Terry Townsend on for months leading up to last night's command performance.

After 4 months of hanging out, posting, blogging, twitting, following and "LIKING" Townsend's social media campaign--I have no doubt he will have much success with "A Mutual Love Affair."  It is a BLESSED PROJECT, indeed!  Hats off to you buddy!

GO GRAB A COPY OF TERRY TOWNSEND'S "A MUTUAL LOVE AFFAIR" from his official website Terry Townsend Music, you will be glad you did.

www.terrytownsend.net

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

GOSPEL TAKES ON JAZZ AND R&B

(Huntsville, Alabama)---I've got mine and soon you'll get your opportunity to get your copy of Terry Townsend's new CD "MUTUAL LOVE AFFAIR!" Terry Townsend is changing the game when it comes to your father's ROCK OF AGES!  I was fortunate enough to get an advanced copy of his title track single "Mutual Love Affair" weeks ago and loved it!  Now, hot off the press I am now driving down the interstate rocking out and lifting "holy hands" to my advance copy of the full CD.  Let's just say, "membership has it's privileges!" I will get into my connection to Townsend in just a minute, but trust me this one is worth getting.  Right now I am having a hard time deciding my favorite cut from at least four individual tracks on this album.

Of late I've enjoyed gospel that is considered "out of the box," and comes with a more of an edgy sound.  Mutual Love Affair satisfies the "music lover" in me because speaks to every side of my musical taste.  It is a creative blend of gospel, jazz and rhythm and blues.

Townsend who hails from a musical family calls Tanner, Alabama home. Tanner is a small bedroom community just outside of Huntsville.  I recently discovered he comes from a large musical family and has an extended family of aunts and uncles from a marriage of nearly three decades. He was fortunate enough to marry his childhood sweetheart Tammy and enjoys a simple life with her and their three daughters.  The more I am around him and his family I've learned to appreciate the joy he finds in "easy living." Laid back is the best way to sum up his personality and his unique sound on every single of "Mutual Love Affair."

Townsend, who penned every song on "Mutual Love Affair" sings passionately about his faithfulness to God, but in a unique and non-traditional way. It's so unique that you almost forget that you're listening to gospel--and not R&B.  "Mutual Love Affair" could easily go either way--it has a tremendous amount of cross-over appeal.  I dare to say his upbeat tempo singles "What So Ever" and "I Can't Stop" remind me of another crooner with close-knit ties to Alabama,  Eric Benet.

Terry Townsend is not just a featured artist, he knows what it is to "share the spotlight."  He still sings in the church he grew up in every Sunday with a male gospel group.  He is very versatile and extremely  generous when it comes to a "spirit of giving" which is evident as he shares the spotlight with his rich, sultry duets--"Mutual Love Affair" and "Be Strong."

Townsend told VISION/VOICE/VARION viewers in an earlier interview he considers "Mutual Love Affair" some of his best work to date.   His first CD entitled, "The Blessed Project" earned him critical acclaim around the world, including the UK more than 10 years ago. A decade later Townsend and his "musical genius" producer Kelvin Wooten are on track to turning heads again.

Wooten, also based in North Alabama, earned national attention with "Freedom," a single that ended up on the original soundtrack and in a pivotal scene of the movie "Django Unchained!"  The critically acclaimed single was recorded by Grammy Award winning R&B singer Anthony Hamilton and newcomer Elayna Boynton.

Full disclosure here: My connection to Townsend, Wooten and Hamilton has strictly been on a professional level.  My company has had the privilege of generating a lot of publicity surrounding their individual projects.  With that said, I don't think there's a conflict of interest with me simply saying they are all talented individuals.  Let's face it their work speaks for itself.  Whether it is gospel, R&B, contemporary jazz--together, the Townsend and Wooten team are about to give music lovers who are in the market for "something different" a real earful!

For more information on the CD release date and performance schedule for Terry Townsend, visit his official FACEBOOK fan page and website at: www.facebook.com/terrytownsendmusic  and www.terrytownsend.net

ALL NEW: BIG MUSIC NEWS THIS WEEK

CHRISTMAS IN MARCH 

NEW CLASSICS ON HAMILTON'S FORTHCOMING CHRISTMAS LP

VISION/VOICE/VARION EXCLUSIVE!

(Huntsville, AL.)  It's only March, but Grammy Award winning R&B Recording Artist Anthony Hamilton is already in the holiday spirit!  The "Pray For Me" singer returned to North Alabama recently to once again tap into the magic he makes with his writing partner and producer Kelvin Wooten of North Alabama.

In a "VISION/VOICE/VARION" EXCLUSIVE,  we discovered Anthony Hamilton set aside a week out of his extensive 2013 Tour schedule to record his new Christmas CD.  Wooten who lives in Athens, a small bedroom community just outside the City of Huntsville has worked with Hamilton before on several hits, including "So In Love," a duet Hamilton recorded with singer Jill Scott.

It is the first time the "dynamic duo" has teamed up since gaining an Oscar nod for their collaboration on the single "Freedom," a duet Hamilton recorded with newcomer Elayna Boynton on the soundtrack of the movie "Django Unchained."
                                                                   

Anthony Hamilton on "The Adult Mix" WHRP- 94.1 Huntsville"

Hamilton has gone on record before, proclaiming 'Huntsville as one of his favorite places to record.'  During his visit he sent out several personal tweets, including one where he affectionately dubbed Wooten as his "musical soul mate." Anthony Hamilton even took time out of recording in Huntsville this week to do a few press junkets with Kelvin Wooten,  their first in Huntsville since the two attended the Hollywood premiere of the "Django" movie in Los Angeles last December.

I personally was psyched the whole day because I was one of only a handful of members of the local media given an opportunity to hear Anthony Hamilton's impromptu version of "Away in a Manager!" The soulful blend of the R&B crooner's rich, soulful vocals, coupled with Wooten's "groovy base line," not to mention some absolutely amazing rifts from a guest lead guitarist, immediately reminded me of another legendary Christmas crooner Nat King Cole.

Hamilton and Wooten's version of  "Away in a Manager" is so unique and strong, I have no doubt this version is going to catault the award-wining musical team into being remembered for giving us another unforgettable Christmas "classic" for the ages.   Just remember, you heard HERE first!

CLICK HERE: ALL NEW
THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES- "Musician's Musican" featuring Kelvin Wooten
http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/03/a_musicians_musician_7_huntsvi.html

Kelvin Wooten, Mid-Day Jock Toni Terrell and Anthony Hamilton

ANTHONY HAMILTON LIVE IN  HUNTSVILLE- MAY 12, 2013
CLICK HERE:  Details of Anthony Hamilton's Mother's Day Concert in Huntsville
http://www.whrpfm.com

ALABAMA ARTIST TURNING HEADS IN THE U.K

"TOWNSEND'S TRIUMPHANT RETURN"

Mutual Love Affair, Available on CD Baby & I-Tunes May 2013

His laid back vocals and smooth, jazzy baselines have turned heads before.  Now,  after more than a decade Terry Townsend is back and in a really big way.  His new album "Mutual Love Affair" is co-produced by "Django Unchained" music producer Kelvin Wooten.  The duo is teaming up again and getting a lot of attention for the title track.  The single "Mutual Love Affair" is a duet featuring Alexandria Thomas and it's already getting a lot of attention for it's rich, flawless, "out of the box" blend of contemporary gospel and jazz.  

Wooten, who co-produced Grammy Award winning artist Anthony Hamilton's single "Freedom" featured in the movie "Django Unchained" calls Mutual Love Affair, "some of my best work with Townsend thus far!" The whole project is so contemporary it could really go either way, gospel or R&B, said Wooten.  "Honestly,  almost all of the tracks could be played on any top 40 station," declared Wooten.

Townsend says his 'love affair' with gospel is and has always been a "labor of love." The North Alabama based singer and songwriter tells VISION/VOICE/VARION,  "I learned a lot from my first project and I really wanted to take the time out to really listen to God and ask for his direction on moving forward with my second album."   I asked God to surround me with the right people for my next project, people with like minds.  "I'm happy to say he answered my prayers," Townsend said.         

Check Out Varion's Initial "Meet & Greet" with Terry Townsend in Huntsville 

                    

Ten years ago Townsend's debut CD "The Blessed Project" earned him critical acclaim in both inspirational and gospel genres.  "The Blessed Project" also earned him critical praise from music critics all over Europe, including the UK.  Cross Rhythms Magazine based in London wrote an article praising Townsend for his "unique, out of the box approach" to inspirational gospel.  Mike Rimmer, a featured entertainment reporter with Cross Rhythms wrote: The Blessed Project "contains the right blend of soulful singles, laced with enough musical spice that are sure to send shivers down your spine."  He called it "easy listening" and encouraged music lovers all over the UK to support the Alabama based artist.

A decade later,  Townsend is posed to bask in the afterglow again. Vision/Voice/Varion has learned before his May 2013 release, his title track "Mutual Love Affair" is already in heavy rotation with some jazz and gospel stations in the Huntsville area.  

Keep it here for details on the forthcoming CD "MUTUAL LOVE AFFAIR," exclusively on CD BABY and ITUNES.             

     

Photos: Richie Carter-Richie Carter Photography

CLICK HERE FOR TERRY TOWNSEND'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE:  

www.terrytownsend.net

VISION/VOICE/VARION KICKS OFF 2013 SEASON

(Huntsville, AL.)  Spread the word; tell a friend, Varion is kicking off a new season of "VISION/VOICE/VARION" in a really big way!  2013 promises to be "bigger, better and filled with more exclusive interviews and major giveaways!  Keep it locked into www.varionwalton.com

"HUNTSVILLE INFLUENCING HOLLYWOOD"

"HUNTSVILLE UNCHAINED"-Alabama's Contribution to the National Music Scene 

(Huntsville, AL.)--"Freedom," a soulful number performed by the incomparable Anthony Hamilton and newcomer Elayna Boynton is a featured single on the soundtrack of the blockbuster movie, "Django Unchained!"  Kelvin Wooten, Daniel Beard and Duane Allen,  three Alabama based musicians served as producers and engineers on the historical project.

Anthony Hamilton  Photo: "E" Elpwe's Photography

During the entire month of December, "VISION/VOICE/VARION" had the privilege of joining the publicity and marketing staff. Through the course of several meetings with Wooten and Beard and their team, "Huntsville Unchained" was born.  “Huntsville Unchained”  was created celebrate and honors Huntsville's influence on the national music scene. Weeks later “Freedom” is gaining critical acclaim for everyone involved.

"Freedom" is not only apart of the "Django" soundtrack, it is embedded in the film in a "flashback" scene when Kerry Washington's character "Broomhilda" is savagely beaten by the slave masters. "Django Unchained" is raw, edgy, exotic, beautifully crafted and the song "Freedom" enhances the scene brilliantly! 

“Django Unchained” ends 2012 as a "blockbuster" box office smash. The movie's controversial director Quentin Tarantino is thrilled the "much anticipated" flick has tongues wagging from "Hollywood to Huntsville." 

“Django Unchained” is now in contention for an Oscars and a Golden Globe Award. "VISION/VOICE/VARION" is happy to report Hamilton, Boynton, Wooten, Beard and Allen are enjoying the ride.

Courtesy: Special Assignment Operations, Inc.

"Huntsville Unchained"

At press time "Freedom" had surpassed a major hurdle, beating out nearly 75 other songs to be performed live during The Academy Awards January 10, 2013. Tradition dictates that only five musical scores from movies of the previous season are performed during the lengthy awards show.

Congratulations Anthony, Elayna, Kelvin, Daniel and Duane. You are upholding a long honored  tradition for North Alabama. Your continued success is a vivid reminder of Musicle Shoals long and rich history in the industry. Aretha Franklin is just one of many great Pop Music legends who made their way to North Alabama to lay down the tracks to some of their biggest hits. 

I'm sure I speak for thousands all over Alabama when I say, “Freedom” is already “golden”. "Let Freedom Ring!"  “Let Freedom Ring!” 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SINGLE -"FREEDOM"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bdOTUocn5w

For more information on "Huntsville Unchained"-visit:  Huntsville Unchained-FB Fan Page

http://www.facebook.com/HuntsvilleUnchained?fref=ts