Listen to Laura Cheadle's music online at www.lauracheadle.com/music.php and can purchase her CDs there as well.
Actors need to be entertained too. We all have our favorite artists, hot spots, places we go after entertaining others. INTERMISSION is here to share those favorites. In this (irregular) column, I will feature a local artist, venue, or non-theatre production. Send your suggestions to us at STAGE…I’d love to visit your favorite places.
The subject of my first column is up-and-coming musician Laura Cheadle. In the interest of full disclosure, I admit I am a huge fan. I met Laura a couple years ago (thanks to MySpace!) and heard the music of this funky songwriter/performer.
The New Jersey native has opened for the Jonas Brothers, Sister Hazel, Spin Doctors, Ryan Cabrera, Kasim Sulton and Constantine Maraoulis (of American Idol fame.) She has released four very successful albums, was featured on 6ABC’s TUNED IN segment as the first Viewer’s Choice artist, was named “Best Female Singer of 2009” by 93.7 FM WSTW, and most recently was named a “Super Woman of South Jersey” for her work for various charities.
Laura’s music is soulful, funky and full of her boundless energy. She’s got a big voice and a natural gift for improvisation which serves her very well during her live performances. I’ve seen a growing maturity in her music from her early recordings to her newest album, “Change (It’s Alright)”, which has music written for her latest charity, American Foundation for Children with AIDS.
While one can appreciate Laura’s music via the many Internet radio stations or her CDs, you truly see the genius of the artist during a live show. I recently attended a show at Bob Egan’s in New Hope which was to be the farewell show prior to her (since postponed) tour of Egypt. Throughout the show, Laura had a connection to her audience. Watching those in attendance, during her songs there were toes tapping, heads nodding and many smiles. And, Laura is quite the storyteller, making everyone in the audience feel like a close friend with tales of her youth and funny behind-the-scenes stories. She is incapable of standing still, staying on the stage, or even keeping her shoes on. She is perpetual motion, boundless energy, and shares her love of music with everyone present.
Laura will be off on a 26-city tour of the US soon, but will be booking shows in our area for her return. All of you in the New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania and surrounding areas, look for this energetic and talented performer. You’ll become a fan too.
You can hear clips of Laura’s music at www.lauracheadle.com/music.php and can purchase her CDs there as well. Click below to hear a few samples Laura has provided especially for readers of STAGE Magazine!
Hey There Devil:[audio:http://stagepartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hey_There_Devil_60_Seconds.mp3|titles=Hey_There_Devil_60_Seconds]
What Kind Of World:[audio:http://stagepartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/What_Kind_Of_World_60_Seconds.mp3|titles=What_Kind_Of_World_60_Seconds]
Change (It’s Alright):[audio:https://www.stagemagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Change_Its_Alright_60_Seconds2.mp3|titles=Change_(It’s_Alright)_60_Seconds]
6 comments
I have been a huge fan of Laura Cheadle for just about 5 years and I always go to her New York City shows. She’s a rising star!
I met Laura through MySpace and then personally at The Baggot Inn which used to be in downtown NYC and since then I have been hooked on her music! She really puts the “fun” in funky. Laura’s live shows are great and I highly recommend to all of you reading this, to go when she’s in your area. For dates and times, go to: http://www.lauracheadle.com/dates.php
You can purchase her music on iTunes or her CDs at: http://www.lauracheadle.com/store.php
and you are welcome to join her fan page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/LauraCheadleMusic and post your comments.
Have a Funky good day!
Amazing article, Walter! Laura has the ability to make every fan feel special and a part of her live performance. Her music is for all generations who have a love for REAL music with passion and soul. I am so happy for her USA tour and her rising to the top!
Thanks so much for this article, Walter that really described Laura perfectly!
I will be at her March 4th going away party/show at The Tin Angel in Philadelphia!
Thanks, Ray and Hernando. Ray, I’ll be at Laura’s show at The Tin Angel too…hope to meet you there. Hernando, thanks for filling in the other info…hope to meet you when I am in NYC.
Like Hernando, I first discovered Laura on My Space. I’ve since had the pleasure to not only witnesss her funktastic performances and funkervescsent personality onstage on several occasions, but have gotten to know peronally what a genuinely good person she is. I now consider myself fortunate to be able to call her my friend and even luckier that she thinks of me as both a fan and a friend.. Both she and her amazing keyboard-playing pop James S. Cheadle happen to be truly amazing people in every way.
Laura is the most entertaining performer I have ever seen. She draws you in and makes you feel a part of her life. Her songs are gorgeous and her voice is unbelievable. I love her song “Hey There Devil” off her new album. Lyrically, they are intense and musically they are passionate.
Thanks for a fantastic article, Walter.
I will also be attending her going away party and show on March 4th at The Tin Angel
Hope to meet you there, Sue!