Rae Solomon

Article Written by Kris Hill 6/30/10

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/cmv/lifestyle/99514339.html

                http://kmps.radio.com/2010/06/11/cool-local-artist-rae-soloman/#more-12911

Please follow the link to leave a comment on the KMPS page.

Reviewing a new artist’s first CD is a hard challenge because you have no previous releases that you can base your review off of. However, with Rae Solomon, there was really no challenge. This Northwest born ‘country-fied chick’ means business with her first album Long Road From The Emerald City, a true gem if there ever was one.

Providing us with six strong tracks, Solomon lets us into her world as we see that she’s a true country girl who shouldn’t be messed with in her lead-off track “Country-Fied Chick”. There are only two ballads on the album, which isn’t a bad thing if the two given are good enough. Luckily, in this album they’re more than good. “Powerful Woman” is a beautiful story of a woman learning how strong she is, while “After It All” describes a story of a woman trying to ‘find her way’ in life, as her hardships continue to build up and just wants to know that someone will be there at the end of things.

Solomon’s voice is something we aren’t hearing currently on country radio, but should easily be a great new addition. Her up-tempo songs really keep the album moving at a fast pace, with the ballads giving a perfect balance. The only downside I see in the album is that no track is longer than 3:48, as I feel the ballads are a bit short. The songs give us a lot, but it feels like there could be more to be said. However, if the only negative thing about the album is the length of a song, there really isn’t much wrong with the album.

Solomon has been hitting the road non-stop as of late, winning Seattle station KMPS’s ‘Country-oke’ contest and playing in major fairs and festivals. Her live energy in concert translates well into the album, which is a rarity today to get the feel of a concert inside of a CD.

This album truly should make a mark for Solomon, and as she continues to grow as a writer and singer, we can only expect bigger and better things in the future. Many artists look back and think their weakest album is their first, but in Solomon’s case, the bar is set high.

Final Grade: Buy The Album

http://jaredandkyal.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/rae-solomon-long-road-from-the-emerald-city/

Article Written by the Nisqually Valley News 3/25/10

http://yelmonline.com/articles/2010/03/26/business/doc4bad379885365295878487.txt

Article Written by the Auburn Reporter 3/5/10

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/entertainment/86681152.html 

Check out this article written by the Issaquah Reporter!

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/iss/entertainment/52608632.html

These past few months have been so busy for me; writing, recording and promoting an album, photo shoots, interviews, finishing school (a Masters in Music Business), a full calendar of live shows and to top it off a music video. "The Long Road From The Emerald City" releases June 1st and I can't help but walk around with a beaming smile on my face in between my moments of absolute stress. There seems to be no end in sight and I pray every day that there's not!

I am so excited about the future, not only for my career, but for music in general and more specifically country music, in spite of the doom and gloom that has been preached around the industry of late.

Even so, being in the Seattle area, it never fails, that I have at least one person approach me after a show and ask "Why do you play country?". I guess it does make some sense that I would hear questions like these, being that Seattle is the capitol of "grunge" and all.

But I know that there are people in Seattle that love country music! I'm one of them and I see them every time we play. They are the ones screaming in the front row when we start playing "Country-Fied Chick". They are the reason why country station 94.1 KMPS has been Seattle's top local station for 5 of the last 7 years (according to the Seattle Weekly in 2008).

I'm not the only person who sees it either; just 2 years ago Brian J. Bara wrote an article called "Trapped In The Closet; Seattle Loves Country. It Just Won't Admit It".  For all of you who still aren't believers, I bet you won't guess who has broken local ticket sale records 3 years in a row....a country artist! Kenny Chesney, to be specific, who has packed Qwest field with over 44,000 people.

A city known only for rock, although many may not be aware, has its share of highly talented up and coming young country artists. Myself (Rae Solomon), Chance McKinney, Hannah Weeks and Jonathan Harris just to name a few. All of whom write their own music, can entertain the socks off of any crowd and are making a splash not only in the local market but in country music's home, Nashville.

I know that there will still be some of you out there who say "I just don't like country" but I would challenge you to listen to it for an hour and still be able to make that same statement. A recent article written by MSN.com explains that young country artists, like Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift, are breaking all the rules by crossing over the genre lines and capturing audiences never before thought possible.

The moral of the story? Country music and its fans are alive and well, whether you hail from Seattle or the heart of Texas. Which, for those of you who were wondering, is where the name "The Long Road From The Emerald City" came from. It's about my journey and that of the music that has shaped me. Everything said and done, my hope is that, the restraints of "genre" aside, you find music that touches you and speaks to your heart and soul.

If you're interested in hearing more, and I hope you are, I would extend you an invitation to our CD Release Party June 5, 2010 at Acme Bowl in Southcenter. The festivities start at 6pm and we would love to help you make up your mind about country music!

By: Rae Solomon