Alyce Metallo Performs with Melinda Doolittle

I found out that two friends from different worlds got to perform together for soldiers here in Washington, DC. My high school friend, Melinda Doolittle (who you may know from American Idol, Season 6) and a church friend from my adult life here in DC, Alyce Metallo, performed together for wounded soldiers at VP Dick Cheney's home. Alyce is a wonderful singer and piano player who gives special performance during some of our services at McLean Bible Church as well as coordinates our monthly Open Mic Night performances. I believe Alyce accompanied Melinda on piano, but I'm sure she could have sung an awesome duet with her as well. I can see them really hitting it off as friends, especially as fellow performers and Christians. Apparently, Melinda wants to take Alyce "everywhere" with her. :) Go girlfriends!!

Alyce Metallo Sings For Wounded U.S. Soldiers

(February 2008)

(Nashville, Tenn.) February 25th, 2008 – Up-and-coming new artist Alyce Metallo recently performed along with American Idol Season Six finalist Melinda Doolittle for 50 wounded United States soldiers at the residence of Vice President Dick Cheney.

The Washington, D.C. event featured the performance portion of the evening at the U.S. Naval Observatory. The military men and women were treated with a repertoire of songs that included the song “Home” (from the musical The Wiz), as well as Doolittle’s first single “My Funny Valentine”.

Doolittle commented on Metallo saying, “She’s amazing! I want to take her with me everywhere I go!”

Metallo is currently in the running for two Momentum Awards for both “Female Vocalist of the Year” as well as “Urban Artist of the Year.” The 3rd annual Momentum Awards are produced by Indieheaven.com, the leading organization for Christian independent musicians. Winners will be announced March 29th at the 2008 CIA Summit in Franklin, TN.

Musically inclined since childhood, Metallo, a classical-trained pianist, has garnered an impressive lineup of credits. Metallo has held a choir slot alongside the likes of Luther Vandross, Diana Ross and Kenny Rogers at Bill Clinton's inauguration, a return engagement to the White House as a choir director for VH1's Save the Music with John Mellencamp, plus multiple appearances with that same star and Stevie Wonder at School Night. Add to that a private performance for Jessie Jackson Jr., an appearance at National Building Museum with Bill Cosby (benefiting Fight For Children), numerous Kennedy Center concerts (alongside Vanessa Williams, Yolanda Adams, Regina Belle and Richard Smallwood), plus a twelve date performance tour throughout Europe (with a prestigious "International Song of Peace" Award from Ireland to her credit) and Metallo's earned her artistic stripes with an unflinching commitment to the performance arena.

Metallo is currently touring nationwide with her album available on both iTunes.com and indieheaven.com.

For more information on Alyce Metallo, check out http://www.alycemetallo.com/.

Many of you know what Melinda sounds like (check her out on my website for her), but here is a video clip showing Alyce's musical talents:

Alyce Metallo wins "urban artist of the year" Momentum Awards

Up-and-coming new artist Alyce Metallo, recently hailed as “an artist to watch” by Christianity Today Online, has won a Momentum Award for “Urban Artist of the Year” at this year’s third annual event held at the Indieheaven’s CIA Summit in Franklin, TN.

“The whole summit was so exciting," said Metallo. "Getting to network with like-minded artists who are also trying to grow in Christ and in their ministries was really inspiring. Winning the award is a real blessing that I have to share with my husband who’s stood behind me the whole time spiritually, emotionally and financially. I wouldn’t be writing songs if it weren’t for the Lord bringing him into my life. We’re really excited about the award and excited to see what God’s going to do next!”

Metallo has been touring her self-titled debut with an onslaught of high-profile events. A classically-trained pianist, Metallo also recently performed along with American Idol Season Six finalist Melinda Doolittle for 50 wounded United States soldiers at the Washington DC residence of Vice President Dick Cheney.

Metallo’s album is available on both IndieHeaven.com and and iTunes.com.

The Final Inquiry

FoxFaith has released a movie to DVD called "The Final Inquiry," about a Roman soldier sent to investigate the Resurrection of Jesus. It features a former Jesus, Max von Sydow, as the Roman Emperor Tiberius, and Hristo Naumov Shopov featured again as Pontius Pilate, the role he also played in "The Passion of the Christ." There is also a Bible Study available for download.

Fluting Around....

This weekend, I attended the Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair. One of the features about being there was that I got to test several flutes, and I narrowed it down to buying a new Pearl Alto Flute (206SU), which plays very nicely...and I got a great deal on it as well. Maybe I can even have a chance to play it in the flute choir in which I substitute.

Another feature was that I got to hear the infamous beatboxing flautist Greg Pattillo, along with his group Project (with Bassist Peter Seymour and Cellist Eric Stephenson):

Happy Valentine's Day!

To everyone from me!
(and my friend Melinda Doolittle with her new single, "My Funny Valentine")