Christie Lenée: Florida Mini-tour & Little Manatee April Fool’s Jam Fest
We are indeed fortunate any time Christie Lenée returns home to play for us. She has travelled the nation, played with some of the best musicians anywhere, and has garnered incredible accolades wherever she goes. She was the subject of a MusicFestNews feature last summer.
The next several weeks find her in Florida for shows in Gainesville, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Brooksville, and this Saturday at the inaugural Little Manatee April Fool’s Jam Fest.
She sent this message in January:
I have fallen in love with music once again! Over the past couple of years several unique quality instruments have come into my life, including a Martin D12-35 50th Anniversary 12 String guitar, a custom Baritone 12 String by Veillette Guitars, the Gryphon soprano 12 string, The Engle, a Luna 8 string Ukelele, a 5 string banjo, new 6 string plus a hybrid guitar.
This all probably sounds crazy. How can one acquire so many instruments, and “do you really play them all?” some might ask. The answer is YES. I enjoy trying out songs on different instruments, especially old songs to bring them back in a new light. Or perhaps I’ll take an existing song and play it on piano to practice the vocals, then suddenly realize that one of these 12 string guitars could handle the piece.
Among the time I’ve had to acquire these instruments I’ve been practically touring non stop. Finally I’ve had a moment to be home and get deeper into my practice which inevitably is taking my music to another dimension. In addition I’ve been working with a vocal harmonizer pedal, which is allowing me to perform 3 part harmony songs like “Set it Free” without needing a choir on stage.
My schedule this year has been carved out to get back in the studio, tour selectively and finish some recording projects that have been in the works. This includes the tracks that I recorded with Will Ackerman last December, a single I recorded in Nashville recently, plus a track that I recorded with Tim Reynolds and the rhythm section of his band TR3. In addition, Tim Reynolds has just gotten on board to come back into the studio at the end of March and participate in more tracks. This of course brings me an abundance of joy!
Over the past few years I’ve spent a countless amount of time in meetings with record labels and music industry folks, and while I’ve been just a hair away from a record deal multiple times I’ve always said the same thing: Well, I am not going to spend too much of my time chasing after them or putting all of my eggs in that basket. I’d rather just make the music and let it unfold as it will! With that being said.. it is unfolding right before my eyes now. I have carved out the time to set focus and get this album off the ground.
I will keep you posted on updates in the rehearsing and recording process. For now, I’m launching a series of rehearsals and live shows to get the band ready to go back in the studio and record another set of tunes.
And this message arrived last week:
Last week I had the pleasure of recording with one of my favorite guitarists in the world… Tim Reynolds! Many of you may know Tim as the guitarist for Dave Matthews Band. He is additionally a brilliant composer who has been a hero of mine for many years.
What a blessing to have Tim on the new album. The tasteful guitar parts he added to the next two singles “Stay” and “Sun Shines Through” truly brought these songs to a new dimension!
Starting this weekend… Mini Tour in FL!
Thursday 3/31, Gainesville, FL, Thomas Center for the Arts (HuDost and Christie Lenée), 7pm
Friday, 4/1, Sarasota, FL, HuDost & Christie Lenee Live @ Rising Tide in Sarasota!, 7pm
Saturday, 4/2, Wimauma, FL, Little Manatee April Fool’s Jam Fest Presented by WMNF Community Conscious radio. Christie Lenée Band 70 minute set from 6:20 to 7:30pm.
Friday, 4/8, St Petersburg, FL, Christie Lenée Band and HuDost w/ special guest John Stringer. Live at Hideaway Cafe. Doors 6pm, Show 8pm, Advanced Tickets Recommended
Sat 4/9 and Sun 4/10, Brooksville, FL, String Break Festival. 3 sets: Solo Acoustic Saturday 3pm. / 4:30pm Saturday w/ HuDost. / 1:15pm Sunday w/ HuDost
Friday, 4/15, Sopchoppy, FL, From The Heart Recording Studio-Concert Production, Solo Acoustic, Show 7pm.
Saturday, 4/16, Pensacola, FL, Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center, 7pm
Some future dates, with more soon. Please check her official website and official Facebook page for photos, videos, ticket information, and more.
May 27th-29th @ BeCause Festival, Washington, DC
July 8th-10th @ BlissFest, Harbor Springs, MI
New dates coming soon, shining love your way!
Live, create, explore…
Also check out Christie Lenée on YouTube and reverbnation.