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MEDIA RELEASE
The Gospel Music Foundation presented its First-ever
Outdoor Gospel Music Festival
The music with a message that’s fit for the entire family, featured incredible artists like Juno-nominee Lianna Klassen; the fusion-jazz instrumental group, Razor’s Edge, singer/songwriter, Roland Majeau and other Christian artists like Tyler Hamiliton and On Purpose. Audience members totaling over 4000 brought blankets and lawn chairs on August 24th, 2002 for a day of music in the park.
In the evening, the incomparable, Janelle Reinhart released her CD, NEW DAY, to Alberta audiences. As one of Canada’s brightest new stars, Janelle was recently in Ontario, along with the Pope, at World Youth Day as their theme song singer and the featured artist at events drawing close to one million youth! Janelle, along with her band and a hip hop dance troupe, headlined SOUL FEST 2002.
NEW DAY was recorded in Nashville under the watchful eye of producers, Bill Baumgart and Steve Rendall. Rendall of Harvest Music Group also produced Jake’s most recent and most assuredly successful last 2 albums as well as Matt Brouwer’s CD. Janelle, a 22 year old sparkling talent has already toured Alberta extensively, was invited to sing at a Bishop’s conference in Paris earlier this year and then, to Rome, to sing at the Vatican for the Pope and an audience of 35,000. With a desire to reach the youth with the positive message of the gospel, this French-Canadian chanteuse is sure to become, if she isn’t already, a positive voice for the youth of her generation.
World-beat artist, Lianna Klassen has performed and led worship across Canada, the U.S., Europe and Mexico. She may be remembered as the Canadian artist to open for 4HIM in Edmonton (Jubilee) and in Calgary (Jack Singer). Her three CDs have received significant airplay -LIANNA - SWEPT OFF YOUR FEET (1995), LISTEN TO THE SOUND (1998) which received a 1999 Juno nomination and her most recent, LOVE IN THE RUINS, HOPE IN THE WASTELAND (2001). Lorna Dueck of 100 Huntley Street says “Her music will inspire and motivate any audience.”
Performing and writing real music for real people, Roland Majeau is often likened to James Taylor with his unique blend of country/folk/pop style. With three albums to his credit, ACOUSTIC FROM THE HEART, BUGS IN A JAR and most recently, COCONUT STONE, Majeau has also been featured on 100 Huntley Street. He wrote a theme song for the A Channel’s Big Breakfast Show, for The Kid’s Kottage and also the powerful piece, “Soldier’s Cry”, which has been performed by Pro Coro Canada at the Winspear Centre and also for the recent memorial at Skyreach Centre for the fallen Canadian soldiers. Roland’s song “If This Ford Could Talk” has made him a household name in the prairie provinces.
The other artists covered a diverse range of styles from fusion-jazz (Razor’s Edge) to Contemporary Christian pop (On Purpose) to southern gospel (Tyler Hamilton). All the artists featured are not only Canadian but are … Albertans!
Tickets to this event were FREE.
MEDIA RELEASE
MORE ON SOUL FEST 2002
A free park and ride was also available - from the Christian Publications’ parking lot at 137 Ave and St. Albert Trail. Buses were on a continual run from 9:30 am until 10:00pm, transporting the SOUL FEST guests to and from the park. “We really felt that this would be such a nice touch,” says festival producer, Deborah Andrews, “especially given the fact that this event is running at the same time, and right ‘next door’ to, the St. Albert Farmer’s Market. We wanted everyone to feel welcome and were concerned about the availability of parking downtown, especially between 10am and 5pm.”
A concession, “Brass Boar Catering”, offered everything from hamburgers, smokies and freshly roasted pig to a delectable beef on a bun for supper, all on site. There was also a Kid’s Tent right beside the playground with crafts and face painting for the little ones!
All are welcome!