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Elizabeth Papalia
By Jim Weaver
 Nashville is Mecca when it comes to country music no matter where you start singing your brand of country, the ultimate goal is to make it in the US where country music was born. (Showing my age here...) Olivia Newton John started my love affair with Aussie female singers in my early teenage years and
every time I find another beautiful and talented singer from down under, I melt all over again... now that I've
revealed entirely too much about myself, meet Elizabeth Papalia.
By the way, I am not alone in this fascination of Australian singers, one need only look to the success of Keith Urban to see that the combination of talent, good looks and a killer accent touches something in a lot of Americans. They talk funny, and we like it!
All the fascination aside, how does she sing you ask? Do you think I would be gushing about her here if she couldn't sing? Papalia has a beautiful voice and
uses it like the veteran she is. You can hear her play just the right emotion into each song, whether tugging your heartstrings or making you laugh, Papalia has abilities that only come through
experience. Born in Perth, she has been performing since about the age of six when her guitar-slinging father would bring her up on stage to sing a song or two during his shows. At age 9 she auditioned for and got a spot on the Hi-Hello Show in Brisbane, Queensland where she sang and danced her way through Saturday mornings for three years. Papalia
literally grew up performing for Australians and has won countless awards and kudos over the years... now she has
set her sights, talent and drive to Nashville, TN.
Papalia has been in a out of the States several times writing with newfound friends in Nashville, recording her demo CD and most recently performing an artist showcase
back on April 2nd at 3rd & Lindsley.
Remember the name, Elizabeth Papalia... I think you will love her music too, even if you don't have a silly fascination with Aussies.
MySpace
Mike
Aiken - Just Add Salt
By George Peden
 Like
modern day coral reefer Jimmy Buffett, Mike Aiken lives an envied
life. Housed on his 42-foot cutter, Ocean Girl, with his wife and
co-writer, Amy, the salty world faring troubadour doesn't have
to dive deep for inspiration. With a backdrop familiar to
the rich and famous, this months Waiting In the Wings highlight has
sand, sea and surf as the needed props for his lyrical
sojourns. The added bonus of using a recording studio
housed in a retired Navy tug also adds to the feel of
Aiken's third album, "Just Add Salt".
The
multi-talented Aiken --he's co-produced and supplied ink on most of
the 12 cuts, also claims wider praise for slide, electric and
mandolin on the album -- has captured, successfully, the essence of
the sea. The lead-off cut, "Hillbilly Beach Bum" (also an
eye feast video with "90 Miles To Hemingway" on this
enhanced CD) is musical proof. "I've got sand between my toes;
I've got salt air in my nose" are lyrics decidedly not in
the familiar leavin’ and lovin' with the dog in the pickup country
fare of radio. Tracks like the melodic "90 Miles To
Hemingway" with its Caribbean soaked guitar, and Lyle
Lovett’s remembered "If I Had A Boat" are well suited to
Aiken's easy-on-ear delivery, while "Fisherman's
Wife" confirms Aiken's instrumental virtuosity. Aiken's passion
for his weapon of choice, the guitar, well recognized by
sponsors Takamine Guitars with a signature guitar "The
Travelin' Bone", is shared with a musician’s passion on
“This Guitar".
If
Americana and Folk, all sea-soaked with lyrical images
described by one reviewer as the motivation to quit your job and buy
a boat is your thing, then, just add salt. Mike Aiken is your man.
The
album, slotted for an April 24 release, is on Aspirion Records.
Official
Site
MySpace
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