2007 WAMMIE Night at The State Theater, Falls Church, VA (Photo: Cindy Kunst)
Another Wammie for The Braeded Chord!
Against stiff competition, “Radio Lane,” The Braeded Chord’s third CD, was awarded a WAMMIE for Best Gospel/Inspirational Recording of 2007.Sunday, Feb 17, found The Braeded Chord sitting in the balcony of the State Theater in Falls Church, VA, enjoying the ceremony, when their award was called.
"Lightning isn't going to strike twice," Sharon Dennis of TBC said before the ceremony began. As surprised as the duo was last year when they were awarded a WAMMIE for Best Gospel/Inspirational Group of 2006, they were even more surprised this time.
"Another group, 'The Orioles,' have been performing R&B for about 50 years," Doris MacDonald recounted after the ceremony. "They won their second WAMMIE on Sunday night-- deservedly so. But for us to get this is unbelievable.”
TBC Wins A WAMMIE!
Feb 19, 2007 - Falls Church, VA. Last night at the State Theater in Falls Church, VA, The Braeded Chord was awarded a WAMMIE (Washington Area Musicians Association Award) for Best Gospel/Inspirational Group of 2006. This marks the second year in a row that the Braeded Chord has been nominated for a WAMMIE honor by its music peers. The WAMMIES are the Washington Area Music Association's local version of the GRAMMYS. This year's ceremonies were hosted by Bob Schieffer, CBS newsman, who calls himself a "fledgling songwriter." The WAMMIES first began 21 years ago, with the first awards going to such notables as Emmylou Harris, Chuck Brown, Marvin Gaye, Patsy Cline and Duke Ellington. Traditionally held to a standing room only crowd in the famed State Theater in Falls Church, the ceremony represents the coming together of many different musical styles and the greater Washington DC community's support of its local musicians. "This is indeed a great honor to be recognized by our fellow musicians," says Doris Au MacDonald, keyboardist of The Braeded Chord. "We were surrounded by all of these great musicians, and we couldn't believe it when they called our names!" "They won, not only for what they do, but how they do it," remarked Ron Goad, long-time Songwriters Association of Washington board member, who is himself a fixture on the local musical scene. "I am so happy to know that judges do make good decisions!"
TBC Songs Earn Recognition
Two songs from The Braeded Chord's latest release, "Radio Lane," have earned recognition in the 2006 Mid-Atlantic Music Contest. Both songs were awarded Honorable Mentions in this competition, which has been held for 23 years in the mid-atlantic region under the oversight of the Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW). "On the Wings of Your Song" was recognized in both the Gospel/Christian/Inspirational and the Contemporary/Urban/R&B categories, while "Arms of Infinity" was recognized in the latter category. An Honorable Mention means that the song was recognized as a strong song in the top 10-15% of all submissions.
Thousands of entries are received for this contest, and the winners this year come from as far away as Germany, Australia, Alabama, Vermont, Florida, Indiana, Texas, New York, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, Minnesota, as well as many others from around D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Radio Lane Release Concert (l to r: backup vocalists Taylor, Robin, Macaela, Macara, Jessica TBC: Sharon, Doris Bass: Sal Not shown: Drums, Ralph Photo: John MacDonald)
"Radio Lane" Release and Sierra Leone Children's Centre Benefit Concert
The Braeded Chord, an acoustic duo of award-winning songwriters, were featured at a benefit for the Sierra Leone Child Rescue Centre, held at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Burke, VA, on Friday, Oct. 13, at 7pm. This was held in conjunction with the release of the duo's third CD of original music, "Radio Lane."
Named after one of the titles on the CD, "Radio Lane" represents an intersection of musical styles. Indeed, listening to the eclectic mix of genres, one gets the sense of riding in a car, listening to the radio and pushing the "search" button. First is an electronica-style dance tune-- then a Celtic-tinged rock anthem-- then a lilting folk tune, followed by an Al Green R&B-styled number, then a country song, etc. etc. But "Radio Lane" represents more than a showcase for the songwriting versatility of Dennis and MacDonald-- it is "the intersection of hope on a difficult journey," according to the introduction on the liner notes. "Like the radio that picks up music on the airwaves, our hearts perceive God's invitation to the adventure."
"The music is fabulous," enthused Grace Stephenson, coordinator for the concert benefit, "but it needs a wider audience. The writing is so good! To keep this much talent hidden away in a can-- it's just not right."
"When my daughter heard the CD, she asked me if I'd bought a new Indigo Girls CD!" enthused Linda, another concert-goer.
The Braeded Chord was invited to perform at the 2006 Buddy Walk, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia. This was one of several hundred Buddy Walks held throughout the United States in support of people with Down syndrome. The Fairfax event raised over $145,000 and was attended by more than 2000 people.
"(Last year) in between our stage talent, the music of local group, The Braeded Chord, was being played," wrote Carol Kando-Pineda in the May issue of the DSANV newsletter. "We got such incredible feedback from the audience regarding their music and (were) very excited (when they) accepted our invitation to join us."
Perhaps the highlight of The Braeded Chord's performance was when they played "The Hokey Pokey," and participants in many places of the park could be seen dancing.
The Buddy Walk took place October 14, Saturday, from 10-2pm at the Fairfax County Government Center. To date, over one million people have joined their efforts in walking in support of people with Downs Syndrome.
Information for this article taken from the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia newsletter, May Issue. Writer: Carol Kando-Pineda
Participants from Teen Worship Band Camp 2006
Teen Worship Boot Camp
Take seventeen teens, two adults, eight guitars, three keyboards and a drum set. Mix well with lots of hands-on instruction, prayer, and worship for four days and what do you get? Three energetic bands with the desire and basic skills to lead worship and live a lifestyle of worship. That’s what happened August 7-10 during the first ever Teen Worship Boot Camp at Church of the Word in Gainesville, VA.
“These kids are our future—it’s important to invest in them,” explains Doris MacDonald. She and Sharon Dennis (9:00 am worship team leaders) were the Boot Camp instructors. “It’s amazing, the transformation we witnessed over four days—these kids just needed someone to give them permission.”
MacDonald and Dennis, of The Braeded Chord, conceived of the Boot Camp idea as a way to encourage the church's youth to be involved in the worship service. Each day the campers received instruction in guitar, keyboard, drums, vocal performance, band-building, and sound and visual tech skills. The group even wrote a song. The last two days of camp, the bands had a chance to work together and perform, culminating in a "Battle of the Bands" of sorts.
"The look in their eyes, as they took to the stage and performed was like magic!" exclaims Sharon.
Next summer, there are plans to hold the Boot Camp on two levels—Basic and Advanced Training. Perhaps eventually youth worship leaders will become a regular feature of COTW’s services! It's an idea that could take hold, not only in Gainesville, VA, but also in churches everywhere. Check the Photo Gallery for pics of Boot Camp!
The Braeded Chord - It's About the Lyrics
By Steve Dennie
... I know writing. And I was astounded by the quality of the lyrics; by the careful, meticulous attention given to each word and phrase. Truly superb stuff. Sharon and Doris wrote all of the songs--Sharon wrote a few by herself, and they collaborated on the rest. I can imagine them fussing endlessly over individual words, searching for just the right expression. I'm also impressed and oddly amused that they worked three four-syllable words into the songs--palpitating, incandescent, and reminiscent. And they work. Click to read the rest of Steve Dennie's Review/Blog.
Steve Dennie is Communications Director for the United Brethren denomination. He served as editor of its now-defunct magazine. Under his leadership the magazine won four awards from the Evangelical Press Association. He is also a freelance writer and has written six books.
