Rissi Palmer
Raleigh, NC | Established. Jan 01, 2016 | INDIE
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Erika Dunlap, Miko Sparks, Rhonda Towns and now Rissi Palmer. These are just three names among many on the continuing growing list of African American females who are actively pursuing full time careers as country western music performers. Still in her early twenties, Rissi's been singing country music since she was a teenager growing up in St. Louis. Over the last three years her name and talents have been slowly gaining recognition among the country music elite. Earlier this year she signed a major contract with Atlanta-based 1720 Entertainment and is currently hard at work on her debut CD under their helm. Last month world famous McPherson Guitars has now become one of Rissi's sponsors. All McPherson guitars are handcrafted and are one of a kindÉno two guitars are exactly alike.
"It's an incredible honor to be handpicked by Mr. Matt McPherson (president of the company) and to receive one of his handcrafted masterpieces," states Rissi. Music greats Amy Grant and Brad Paisley are both endorsed by the signature guitar company. ÒMy guitar kicks butt! I'm truly blessed. It has the best sound that I've ever heard from an acoustic guitarÉBesides, I'm excited to be in the company of music greats like Brad Paisley and Amy Grant,Ósays a very excited Rissi. The mult-talented singer/songwriter is no stranger to the country music scene. Palmer was a finalist on the CBS-telecast "Star Search," was featured in CMT's documentary "Waiting in the Wings," along with Charley Pride and Trini Triggs, and on the network's "Most Wanted Live." Rissi has written with many of Nashville's finest writers, including Angela Kaset, James Dean Hicks and Shaye Smith. Rissi also penned the song "Faith," which appeared in the 2004 Lee Daniels/Miramax film "The Woodsman." Rissi is currently at work with producers Keith Thomas (Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood), and the production teams Cory Rooney (Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez), Dan Shea (Martina McBride, Jessica Simpson) and Shannon Sanders (Randy Travis, Lyle Lovett, India Arie) and Drew Ramsey (India Arie, Kimberly Locke) on her debut CD, a project for the Atlanta-based 1720 Entertainment. Over the last 3 years Rissi commuted from New York City to Nashville twice a month for performances, songwriting and networking sessions. She officially cut her Big Apple roots and re-planted them in Music City this past June.
Last week she performed with her band at the legendary Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. More with Rissi.
Read on:
THE TRIBUNE: NOW THAT YOU'RE AN OFFICIAL NASHVILLIAN, WHAT ARE SOME ACTIVITIES YOU'RE NOW INVOLVED WITH HERE IN YOUR NEW CITY?
MS. PALMER: "Actually, I'm still doing a little commuting. But now it's between Atlanta and Nashville and that's because the record company I'm signed with is located in Atlanta. I moved out of New York in April. I will officially, officially be here full time by next month. But my band is based here. I come here frequently for both rehearsals with them and to do performances. I did a showcase this past June to announce to the local music community that I'm finally really here in Music City. I've been collaborating with local songwriters here for a while, since 2002. So I'm now really getting situated in performing more on the local level."
THE TRIBUNE: DID YOU PERFORM AT THIS YEAR'S CMA MUSIC FEST?
MS. PALMER; "Yes I did. It was so exciting for me. This was my first time performing there and it was just magic. I've been going as a fan for years. It was a bit like a surreal experience for me. "
THE TRIBUNE: WHO ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU'RE NOW WORKING AND MINGLING WITH, NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE FULL TIME?
MS. PALMER: "Right now I'm in the process of starting to do some work with John Rich (Big & Rich). Most of my contacts have been with some of the city's best songwriters and musicians. I've been compiling material for my upcoming new album, so I've been doing a lot of writing and hanging out with songwriters."
THE TRIBUNE: IS IT TRUE THAT YOU CO-WROTE A SONG THAT FAITH HILL WILL BE USING ON AN UPCOMING CD?
MS. PALMER: "It's a song called 'Hold On To Me.' But unfortunately, Faith ended up not using the song on her album at the last minute because they re-vamped the entire CD. But the good news is that I'll be using it on my upcoming new album. I co-wrote the song with Shaye Smith and Ed Hill. I was really disappointed that Faith didn't get to use the song. But now I look at it as perhaps this is God's way of still keeping the song alive."
THE TRIBUNE: ARE YOU FINDING MORE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN BREAKING INTO COUNTRY MUSIC THAN BACK WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?
MS. PALMER: "For a long time it felt as if I was the only African American female out here performing country music. But thanks to the internet, I've met many other black women from around the world who are singing country music. I've been in touch with five singers, so far. I mean there are really a lot. In my opinion, t - TENNESSEE TRIBUNE
Rissi Palmer’s talent, commitment, and love for the music has established her as one of country's hottest young talents. She has made the most of every opportunity from being a Star Search finalist to being featured on CMT.
As a songwriter Rissi has excelled. At 20, she signed a publishing deal with Song Planet in Nashville, where she worked with top songwriters. She penned the song "Faith," which appeared in the 2004 film The Woodsman, and "Hold On To Me", chosen by Faith Hill for an album project.
Songwriting however, is only one of Rissi’s talents. As a singer, songwriter, and guitarist she is truly a multifaceted artist. She has worked with many of Country’s top producers and was even offered a record deal by super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Rissi is currently at work with producers on her debut CD, a project for the Atlanta-based and Universal-distributed 1720 Entertainment.
Only time will tell what becomes of Rissi Palmer, but one this is for sure – this girl is definitely on the rise.
Web: www.rissipalmer.com
- IMUSICOLOGY
How cool is it really to surf the Internet and find virtually undiscovered talent...yep, I've been on MySpace again. But look who I found, Rissi Palmer! She is awesome, what a beautiful voice, she has one of those voices that will make your heart smile, if that's possible. I bet I've listened to her songs on MySpace five times each already.
One thing you'll find in abundance out there is raw talent, but what's harder to find obviously is a polished performer that's ready for the big-time, Rissi Palmer is just that. She writes music, she plays guitar and she sings, all very well I might add, what more could any big-time record exec ask?
Her website is currently under construction but you can hear a few songs and learn a little more about her on MySpace, go...do it now so you won't forget.
www.myspace.com/rissipalmer
www.rissipalmer.com
http://www.countrystarsonline.com/wings/wings06_06.htm - Country Stars Online by Jim Weaver
McPherson Guitars, manufacturers of world famous custom acoustic guitars, featuring customized offset soundhole technology, sponsors 1720 Entertainment's country music artist, Rissi Palmer with a one of a kind handcrafted guitar.
McPherson Guitars, valuing upwards of $5000, are what Rissi Palmer calls the "Bentley" of guitars. All McPherson guitars are handcrafted and one of a kind...no two guitars are exactly alike. What each guitar does possess is the signature McPherson revolutionary offset soundhole technology, state-of-the-art bracing, and cantilevered neck design, making it one of the most sought after guitars in the world.
"It's an incredible honor to be handpicked by Mr. Matt McPherson and to receive one of his handcrafted masterpieces," states Rissi. "I was able to choose the color, the wood, and the sound quality based on my personal preferences. My guitar is made out of redwood and rosewood, which gives me the warm low end sound that I love. It has the best sound that I've ever heard from an acoustic guitar...and it makes you sound like you are the greatest guitar player, ever if you're not! Besides, I'm excited to be in the company of music greats like Brad Paisley and Amy Grant who have also been endorsed by McPherson." Rissi beams, "My guitar kicks butt, I'm truly blessed."
"Every once in a while there is a special singer that makes you believe the lyrics they are singing. Rissi, I feel, is one of those talents and I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more from her." - Matt McPherson, President, McPherson Guitars - 1720 Entertainment
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer experienced a lifetime of milestones when she released her self-titled debut album in 2007. As one of country music's most promising new stars, Rissi received widespread attention across all media platforms including print features in Ebony, GIANT, Newsweek, Parade, People, Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal, to name a few. She made numerous national television and radio appearances such as the CBS Early Show, NPR's Tavis Smiley, and Sirius XM's Dr. Maya Angelou's Show on "Oprah & Friends." She was invited to perform at the White House and the Grand Ole Opry upon numerous occasions. And as if all that wasn't enough, Rissi also made music history as the first African-American female to chart a country song since 1987 with the release of her debut single, "Country Girl."
In the past eight years since that explosive ride in the music spotlight, Rissi moved from Nashville to North Carolina, where she married the love of her life in 2010, gave birth to her daughter, Grace, in 2011, and recorded a children’s record, Best Day Ever in 2013.
Now, with the release of The Back Porch Sessions set to for digital release in May on her new indie label, Baldilocks Records, Rissi is making music from an all new prospective.
"The person who was once looking for love, now has found it and that has changed so much of who I am now -- especially as an artist," explains Rissi. "It's now about finding a new side of me artistically rather than trying to figure out what box to fit in."
The new 5-song EP features all original songs, which Rissi had a hand in writing. It's also one that has both of her Grammy winning producers/songwriters, Drew Ramsey (India.Arie, Robert Randolph, Jonny Lang) and Shannon Sanders (Randy Travis, Lyle Lovett, India.Arie), singing her praises.
“Rissi’s new project is a transparent and seamless reflection of who she is as a person and an artist, says Ramsey. "The Back Porch Sessions starts at the very center of Rissi’s soul and radiates out to the world from there. The songs, the sound, all of it, are just true to who she is and I don’t know of another vocalist that does what she does. It's that right mix of soul, twang and church."
“I've known Rissi for a while now," adds Sanders. "She’s been through a lot in the industry, but her voice, her writing—everything about her is stronger now and that speaks to who she is as a woman, an artist, a human being. Rissi is so proficient and soulfully connected---she’s ‘the perfect storm’.”
Born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where she lived before moving to St. Louis, at the age of 12, Rissi didn't have the traditional Southern upbringing, but both of her parents were natives of Georgia, and exposed her to a wide array of music that always filled their household. Her mother, who died when Rissi was seven, was a huge Patsy Cline fan, and her father loved musicians such as Johnny Cash, Chaka Khan and Santana.
As a woman who recalls being a young girl performing on her late great-grandmother’s back porch, Rissi says her new music is a way of paying homage to her beginnings and some of her fondest memories as a child.
“I call it Southern Soul," Rissi says with a smile. "This album is a blend of all my musical influences -- from Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton, to Aretha Franklin and Al Green -- from the music I heard on the radio as a young girl, to the deep, heart-stirring kind of music we sang in the church choir."
Whether it’s the soulful lead single, "Sweet, Sweet Lovin’" that features three-year-old daughter, Grace on the intro, or the rootsy, sexy "Well Enough Alone," that includes several of her grandmother’s favorite sayings, or the pensive "Summerville,“ a love song to her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and the small town from which they came, Rissi describes the new music as “refreshing, fun and thoughtful.”
"Sometimes life can be really heavy. The world is really heavy, so with The Back Porch Sessions, I wanted to give people music that makes them feel good, smile, think and reflect on positive things.”
And so it goes... from her Back Porch to yours.
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