Lauren Elise

Daytona Beach, FL (February 22, 2013) - Lauren Elise, a multi-award winning vocalist, having secured state and national titles, including, Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Band of the Year, appeared on the side of Jennifer Jo Cobb’s #10 Koma Unwind Chevrolet for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Nextera Resources 250 Friday night at the famous Daytona International Speedway.
The 16-year old vocalist is known for her heart of gold and her desire to make a difference. She is as passionate about reaching out to those in need as she is her commitment to her personal career goals. Lauren Elise has combined her love of music with her newly formed outreach,"Be Significant" #PositiveImpact Campaign © 2012, to stir change in young lives and empower youth to be a voice of change.
The Jacksonville, FL native currently has airplay on gospel stations across America with her highly requested rendition of old time gospel favorite melody, Are You Washed/I'll Fly Away. With the upcoming release of her debut album, Lauren Elise hopes that the request levels will put her on the map of country stations as well.
“We are so honored to have featured Lauren Elise Music on the side of our race truck in Daytona,” said team owner and driver, Jennifer Jo Cobb. “She exemplifies the spirit that our team conveys and I am hoping our great fan base will show their support of her music.”
“I feel so blessed and honored to work with Jennifer Jo Cobb and her team,” said Lauren Elise of her experience at Daytona. “She is such an amazing example of excellence for all women. To be able to share my music and my “Be Significant” Teen Campaign with her fans is a dream come true. I am appreciative of Jen and her team. They rock!”
Lauren Elise is scheduled to appear at the next NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Kentucky Speedway on June 27 with Jennifer Jo Cobb’s team. She will be available for interviews and appearances at that time.
Lauren Elise Music can be found at:
Twitter: @LaurenEMusic" Facebook.com/LaurenEliseMusic"" www.LaurenEliseMusic.com To reach Lauren Elise: LaurenEliseMusic@yahoo.com To reach Jennifer Jo Cobb: Jen@JenniferJoCobb.com - Jennifer Jo Cobb

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Rising country music star Lauren Elise will be among the featured entertainers during a weekend fund-raiser to help Jesse James and her three young siblings come to grips with a murder-suicide case that left them parentless.

Elise, a 15-year-old Fleming Island resident whose voice and stage presence have earned her numerous national and international awards, plans to sing Amazing Grace and two other favorite songs of murder victim Julia Herbert when she performs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 at Reynolds Park.

Herbert was shot to death by her estranged husband, Wallace Herbert, on April 8. He then took his own life. James since has obtained legal custody of her half-sisters, who range in age from 4 to 10.

Elise said she didn’t think twice before agreeing to perform at Julia Herbert Children Family Fun Day, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Green Cove Springs.

“I think it’s very important to give back to your community – especially in situations like this,” said Elise, who recently accepted an invitation for a private audition for NBC’s The Voice. “It’s about compassion.”

Elise also will sing I can Only Imagine by Mercy Me and Go Rest High on the Mountain by Vince Gill, two songs that have special meaning because she shares the same spiritual convictions held by the late Julia Herbert.

“It’s going to be an emotional day,” said Elise, a frequent visitor to Nashville recording studios.

James, a part-time nursing assistant, has vowed to keep her siblings together by serving as a mother figure. She also wants to earn a college degree so she can improve her job status.

Saturday’s proceeds will be used to pay down the mortgage on James’ house, which Justice Coalition executive director Ann Dugger says is higher than the home’s value. More than $15,000 has been raised through other means, according to Dugger, who is scheduled to speak at 9:30 a.m.

Eagles member Dan Froehlich, whose daughter is best friends with one of the Herbert children, said James and her half-sisters are making progress as they struggle to regain a sense of normalcy.

“They’ve got a lot of support from the community,” he said. “They’re getting through it day by day.”

Fellow Eagles club member Melissa Hartwig said she expects 2,000 people to attend Saturday’s fund-raiser.

“It’s amazing how many people have offered to help,” said Hartwig, a neighbor and friend of Julia Herbert. “The sponsor board is going to be unreal.”

The day’s events run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will include a motorcycle poker run, a car show, raffles, a silent auction, a 1 p.m. horse shoe tournament, bounce houses, food and face painting.

Other entertainment includes musical groups Taylor Made (11:30 a.m.); Attis on the Pine (2:30 p.m.); Mango Fever (3:20); Hobos Too (4:30); Doc Moccasin (5:40); and Hooch, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cash donations to help Jesse and her sisters can be made at any VyStar Credit Union under account number 702869387. To help in other ways, call the Justice Coalition at (904) 783-6312.
- Stephen Kindland, Clay Today

Lauren is a girl with a voice as lovely as she is. She has a wonderful country sound that compliments all the songs she sings. Lauren has exceptional control and power, it is like she has been singing for many years. After listening to many of her songs, I don`t think there is a missed note anywhere, they are perfection.

Lauren didn`t start out singing, she started out playing the piano. Her piano playing is just as exceptional as her singing. After her first year playing, she placed all Superiors at the Music Federation competition at their local college. Even though she enjoyed piano, she wanted to express herself more, and do it with words. Lauren joined the chorus at school and since then, she has done nothing but grow. Her chorus teacher realized that she had a great quality and tone to her voice, and such control, that she recommended Lauren join the advanced choir. She takes vocal lessons from Kathleen Myrick, who is a Mezzo Opera singer. She focuses on classical, Broadway and preparing the student for theatrical auditions and a future in the arts. Lauren is also studying under Cheryl Kaleda who is known for her work in films, commercials and voice overs.

Lauren has been performing in both theater and music. Her first production was in "Cinderella", ever since this first production she has been in one to two productions per year. She has played many lead roles such as, "Cinderella, "Belle", "Sarah" and "Golde". Her favorite was in "Guys and Dolls" as "Sarah" at the Thrasher Horne Theater and in Brigadoon at Orange Park Community Theater. Starting in December 2008 she began singing throughout the region. She is now booking weekly around north Florida as a soloist and with her band. She has appeared at Christmas on Walnut Street, Riverfest, and Forth of July Celebrations just to name a few.




One of Lauren`s favorite performances was at Carnegie Hall, according to Lauren it was so moving and almost spiritual. It was an amazing moment, when your voice resonates through a hall of such grandeur. Also a special place to perform is Nashville Palace, this is the place that began her journey with Nashville Spotlight. Lauren can not say enough wonderful things about Nashville Spotlight and Mike Jennings. She says, having the opportunity to work with so many talented young people from around the country, that it is almost like Christmas each time she goes back. According to Lauren Mike Jennings is an amazing person, who gives unselfishly daily, pushing to give young talent a platform, which otherwise might not be available to them. She has not only had the pleasure of performing on Nashville Spotlight, but in many of the showcases as well. She has been a host and an ambassador, and she will be returning again at Christmas to host and perform. Being involved with Nashville Spotlight has opened many doors of opportunity for her to perform in places, that otherwise would not have happened.

Lauren has been in several competitions. She placed as Vocalist of the Year, 2009 in the state of Florida in two divisions, Country and Gospel, also Entertainer of the Year, 2009 in Country and Gospel. She also placed Vocalist of the Year at the North American Country Music Association National Competition in Tennessee 2010, and Entertainer of the Year. Lauren`s latest competition she done a tremendous job, winning seven titles advancing her to the Nationals in Tennessee for the North American Country Music Association. these titles were, Vocalist and Entertainer of the New Country, Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year Traditional Country, Vocalist of the Year Traditional Gospel, Duo of the year, and Band of the Year.

Lauren just began writing her own songs this past year. She is working with a song writer in Nashville, and hopes to release some early next year. She also has a demo out with cover songs and one Gospel that is playing on 40 radio stations around the country, in 25 states. She will be working on another set of Gospel songs due to the large number of requests made by the listeners of those stations.

Lauren knows what she wants, and that is to be on stage somewhere, but there is another amazing side to Lauren. She has a gift in helping others, to touch their lives in a positive way, and making people feel loved and cared for, not forgotten. She is not afraid of reaching out. One great example she shared with me is a much to common problem in schools: Here recent she saw a young lady sitting alone at school during lunch, she walked over, introduced herself, and began to share with the young lady. The girl, asked her "why would you come and talk to me, when others will not, was it just there were no seats?" Lauren said, "because I want to be a friend". No matter what Lauren may accomplish in music, it will not be as great as this. What Lauren has inside is something money can not buy, and awards can not give, and that is compassion. To stop right in the middle of what ever you are doin - Tommy Neal Stars2Come

Lauren Elise doesn't remember the exact age she was when she was drawn to country music. She does, however, remember what she was wearing.

Diapers.

"My inspiration was the song 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman' by Shania Twain," Lauren said. "I remember it would come on all the time, and I'd be in diapers, dancing around."

Her mother, Stephanie Barber, can vouch for that.

"I'd be sitting at the computer and — remember when you used to be in the chat room, and you'd have waves [.wav sound files]?" Barber said. "Well, a friend of mine would send the wave, 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman,' and she [Lauren] would come out of any room, flying almost, ready to break into it [dancing]."

More than a decade later, the bit of country music that inspired Lauren to dance as a baby is inspiring a career.

Lauren, whose real name is Lauren Barber, is a rising country star. The 14-year-old has performed at The Nashville Palace and The Listening Room during the Country Music Awards Festival, and at Carnegie Hall. She also has won several statewide awards for her country and gospel performances, and was selected Traditional Gospel Female Entertainer of the Year and Traditional Gospel Female Vocalist of the Year in the 2010 North American Country Music Association National Competition.

Says Mike Jennings, producer of "Nashville Spotlight," a Nashville cable television show on which Lauren frequently performs: "For a 14-year-old singer, she is very focused, very intense, very regimented. ... She has confidence, and she knows how to control the stage."

These days her life is dominated by school — she attends Douglas Anderson School of the Arts — and travel. But it leaves her more exhilarated than exhausted.

"We go to Georgia and Nashville, pretty much everywhere," said Lauren, who lives in Fleming Island. "Once I remember someone coming up to me and saying, 'Wow, we can use you in Nashville.' And I said, 'You're crazy, I'm never traveling there.' Now we go there all the time."

Said a beaming Barber: "We're getting ready to head to Nashville, then Pigeon Forge [Tenn.], where she's up for three more national titles. She'll be performing at the CMA festival."

Her earlier experiences in gospel and in theater helped shape her interest, Lauren said. She sang gospel with her mother in church and learned to play the piano when she was in the first grade.

"My mom sings gospel a lot, though she doesn't care to admit it," Lauren said with a laugh. "We started out with gospel, in my grandfather's church ... it had sort of a country feel."

As she got older, though, Lauren said her interest shifted to theater. She appeared in local productions such as "Guys and Dolls" at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts in Orange Park and in "Brigadoon" at Orange Park Community Theatre.

Country came calling again, and Lauren said her experiences in theater have helped her.

"I sort of still have my little theater family," she said. "The family bonding thing will happen when everyone is cast together, and you're working in tight quarters backstage, and you have to understand each other and play off the other person's role, because beyond playing the part you have to become the part rather than just saying the lines."

Becoming someone else, she said, is a big part of what it takes to sing country music — which is replete with stories of joy and heartbreak.

"I think performing on stage gives you the chance to be who you really are. ... If I'm going through something personally, I find a song to relate to, and that really comes across on stage."

It also helps to have two older sisters who share their challenges and struggles with life, Lauren said.

"I just come off as a very mature person," she said. "I guess it's because with older siblings [she also has a brother and a half-brother] you get to experience more before you actually grow up. ... My sister and I used to share a room, and talk about school and stress."

The first song Lauren wrote is about pain and people going through it, she said. She also doesn't like to see people suffer — and when she does, that brings out a lot of emotion in her, Barber said.

"We were going down the road one day, and there was an elderly man who was stuck [in a motorized scooter], and she said, 'Mom stop, we've got to stop now,' " Barber said.

"So she gets out and says, 'I'm going to stay with him. ... I can't leave him here.' He was stuck in the mud ... She gets on the cell phone, and calls her dad. We tried, she and I, to lift him and maneuver him, but we couldn't do it."

Barber said her husband came and helped them, and they managed to get the man to his home, scooter and all.

"But that's Lauren. That's her heart, and I pray it stays with her," she said.

While Lauren said she doesn't have time for much more than school and singing, she is managing to squeeze in guitar lessons and skateboarding. In 10 years, she said, she hopes to be performing professional - The Florida Times Union - Tonyaa Weathersbee