WEBISODE 3
Richard Mekdeci
President, Co-Founder, Board member of Itoi Ministries
Richard Mekdeci (mek-dee'-see) has spent the last 23 years writing, producing, performing, and promoting New Thought music—positive spiritual music for all faiths. As an accomplished singer/songwriter and Licensed Unity Teacher, Richard travels the country with his interfaith ministry, speaking in churches, doing concerts, retreats, and workshops on peace, self-worth, and the uniting power of music.
Richard currently works for the Association of Unity Churches International, producing new music products for New Thought churches worldwide, publishing the Sound Connections music resource e-newsletter, and hosting nthe Sound Connections Music Conference.
(Songs performed by JD Martin, Jan Garrett, Megon McDonough, Karen Taylor Good and Faith Rivera.)
WEBISODE 2
Linda Clifford
R&B/Disco Icon
One of the brightest stars in the Disco constellation has to be Linda Clifford. A Brooklyn, NY native and a former Miss New York State, she began singing jazz in the Sixties -- first with the Jericho Jazz Singers and later toured the country with her own jazz trio, Linda and the Trade Winds, before switching to R&B and pop. After years of touring, as well as a few Hollywood film parts, she settled in Chicago. She sang in clubs around the city and recorded her first single, Long Long Winter, with Curtis Mayfield for Paramount Records. Her second album, If My Friends Could See Me Now, was released in 1978 and secured Linda’s permanent place in Disco history. The title track -- her swaggering Disco version of a song from the Broadway musical, SWEET CHARITY, became an instant dance classic. Ironically, years before, she'd worked as an extra in the film version of SWEET CHARITY with Shirley McClaine. If My Friends Could See Me Now was #1 on Billboard’s Dance Chart for 12 weeks, earning Linda an American Music Award nomination for Best New Artist. She has since added a dozen albums.
WEBISODE 1
Bethani
Singer/Songwriter
Bethani has been entertaining audiences in the Southwest for the past decade with her fresh renditions of jazz standards. Under the name Beth Ullman she released her first CD, Aren't We the Lucky Ones in 1994 to enthusiastic reviews from Jazztimes and Cadence, who declares that "she has an absolutely exquisite instrument" (Ellen Colison). In 1993 she was voted Best Jazz Vocalist by the Austin Players and Critics Poll, and her band Countenance was named a finalist in Musician Magazine's Best Of The Unsigned Bands in 1990.
Guest appearances frequently include a solo concert after services, and she offers her dynamic, innovative vocal workshop Sing Your Soul's Song, based on her studies with 10-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin, to church choirs and community groups as well. However, performance is central to Bethani's artistry.
"There's a lifeline between me and my audience. I like to get inside the music and take them with me."
Megon McDonough