Shannon Selig

NEW ARTIST SHANNON SELIG RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM, PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Fans From Florida to Nova Scotia Travel to Nashville For Album Release Party, Week Highlighted By Media Features For American/Canadian Vocalist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 22, 2013) – Fans from both ends of the Eastern Seaboard, as well as Nova Scotia, traveled to Nashville recently when American/Canadian artist Shannon Selig celebrated the release of the vocalist’s debut album release, Perfectly Imperfect, at The Rutledge.

Selig, who relocated to Music City from the two places she called home – Maine and Nova Scotia – has spent the past six months working on her new album. The album release party at The Rutledge capped a Street Week that included performing live on Fox 17's “Tennessee Mornings” and being featured in numerous publications, including
Music News Nashville, Country Music News International, The Bangor (Maine) Daily News and Flashwounds.com.

Guests for the evening included a number of Music Row songwriters and executives. Stan Swiniarski, an award-winning songwriter (John Lennon Songwriting Contest and Billboard World Song Contest) and Georgia Thomas, who wrote the album’s title track and another song on the release, “Strings,” with Mark Alan Peters, stopped by to congratulate Selig. Family and friends also were in Nashville to show their support.

“Shannon’s debut album, Perfectly Imperfect, is the best indie country music project I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on,” said Don DeMumbrum, owner/president of Château Music Group, who mastered the album. “And her performance at The Rutledge far exceeded all of my expectations. She’s a jewel!”


“Shannon is my niece and I’ve been following her music career since she was 8 years old,” says Candy Ginns of the Villages, Fla. “I can’t imagine that I wouldn’t have moved a mountain to come to Nashville to hear her sing.”

”I was invited as a family friend to come to the release of her debut album,” says Diane Wescott of Gorham, Maine. “As I’ve told Shannon many times, she’s worked so hard and she deserves this chance to share her voice with the world.”

Another aunt, Stacey Rudderham, of Nova Scotia, made the trip also. “I had to be here for Shannon’s album debut,” she said. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”

Perfectly Imperfect, the 11-track release, co-produced by Selig and Music Row veteran Gary Sadker of Red Ridge Entertainment, combines songs written by the American/Canadian singer/songwriter with songs from top Music City tunesmiths for a fresh collection of music with a purpose.
- Nashville Music Promotions

NEW ARTIST SHANNON SELIG RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM, PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Fans From Florida to Nova Scotia Travel to Nashville For Album Release Party, Week Highlighted By Media Features For American/Canadian Vocalist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 22, 2013) – Fans from both ends of the Eastern Seaboard, as well as Nova Scotia, traveled to Nashville recently when American/Canadian artist Shannon Selig celebrated the release of the vocalist’s debut album release, Perfectly Imperfect, at The Rutledge.

Selig, who relocated to Music City from the two places she called home – Maine and Nova Scotia – has spent the past six months working on her new album. The album release party at The Rutledge capped a Street Week that included performing live on Fox 17's “Tennessee Mornings” and being featured in numerous publications, including
Music News Nashville, Country Music News International, The Bangor (Maine) Daily News and Flashwounds.com.

Guests for the evening included a number of Music Row songwriters and executives. Stan Swiniarski, an award-winning songwriter (John Lennon Songwriting Contest and Billboard World Song Contest) and Georgia Thomas, who wrote the album’s title track and another song on the release, “Strings,” with Mark Alan Peters, stopped by to congratulate Selig. Family and friends also were in Nashville to show their support.

“Shannon’s debut album, Perfectly Imperfect, is the best indie country music project I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on,” said Don DeMumbrum, owner/president of Château Music Group, who mastered the album. “And her performance at The Rutledge far exceeded all of my expectations. She’s a jewel!”


“Shannon is my niece and I’ve been following her music career since she was 8 years old,” says Candy Ginns of the Villages, Fla. “I can’t imagine that I wouldn’t have moved a mountain to come to Nashville to hear her sing.”

”I was invited as a family friend to come to the release of her debut album,” says Diane Wescott of Gorham, Maine. “As I’ve told Shannon many times, she’s worked so hard and she deserves this chance to share her voice with the world.”

Another aunt, Stacey Rudderham, of Nova Scotia, made the trip also. “I had to be here for Shannon’s album debut,” she said. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”

Perfectly Imperfect, the 11-track release, co-produced by Selig and Music Row veteran Gary Sadker of Red Ridge Entertainment, combines songs written by the American/Canadian singer/songwriter with songs from top Music City tunesmiths for a fresh collection of music with a purpose.
- Nashville Music Promotions

PORTLAND, Maine — Up-and-coming country singer and North Yarmouth native Shannon Selig is scheduled to return to Maine on Wednesday for the first time since November, and she’s bringing some recognizable talent with her.

Joining Selig for a Thursday night concert in Portland to raise funds for anti-bullying programs will be Jimmy Buffett Band bassist “Uncle Jim” Mayer and Jillian Jensen, a 2012 contestant on the Fox television singing competition “The X-Factor” whose personal story of being bullied made her an early fan favorite.

Also scheduled to perform will be Turner native and fellow anti-bullying activist Carter Isaac.

Since a November appearance at Pat’s Pizza in Portland, Selig has gone back to her new home in Nashville, Tenn., raised nearly $20,000 for her debut album, collaborated with some of the Music City’s most reputable music professionals and released that aforementioned album, “Perfectly Imperfect.”

Among those with credits on the record are Grammy-winning producer and engineer Chad Carlson, who agreed to mix the album and has previously worked with Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood and Alison Krauss.

Battling bullying has been an important cause for Selig, who co-wrote what became a popular Internet single with Mayer on the subject — “Show Me The Light” — and rose awareness for the local nonprofit Keeping Kids Safe through her November performance.

In the moments before she boarded a plane to Portland on Wednesday morning, Selig spoke for a few minutes with the Bangor Daily News by telephone.

Question: What have the past six months been like since you were last here in Portland?

Answer: It’s been crazy. When I saw you last in November I had launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund my album. Since then it was successfully funded — we raised $19,000 by December, and since then, we’ve just been planning for the album. I spent some time writing songs and coming up with new music. We went into the studio in early March and I released [my debut album] “Perfectly Imperfect” on April 16. It’s been a whirlwind.

Q: You’ve worked with a lot of talented Nashville music professionals for your new album. Who had the greatest influence on your sound?

A: Engineer Mike Stankiewicz — he’s one of my good friends and we brought him into the project because he’s so great at getting the best sound of out anyone. He’s worked with me on my vocals and he really just understands when to push me and how to help me really reach my potential.

But the musicians in those rooms were humbling, too. Andy Hull — who has drummed for Collin Raye, somebody who’s a major influence for me — as well as Dow Tomlin on bass, and Danny Parks and Justin Weaver on guitars. To be in their presence and to be their colleague was just humbling, and it taught me that Nashville is a big family. Everybody wants you to do well, and that challenged me to do better.

Q: Bullying is something you’ve been focused on during your young career. What’s your message?

A: I’m not only highlighting the anti-bullying, but I’m trying to highlight positive role models, too. [I want to] teach people how to be positive and happy, how to be a positive role model, and that in turn will hopefully flip things on their end and help people love themselves.

Q: You’ve said that sometimes the bullies need help, too, right?

A: It really goes back to [the adage] ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ My great-grandmother taught me that at a very young age. Some kids were never taught that and they never felt good about themselves. They don’t have that sense of self love and self esteem, and they feel they have to knock others down to feel better about themselves. I feel like everyone in their lives has been bullied and has been the bully at one time or another, even if it was just for a brief moment. Everyone has said something bad about someone else, and everyone has felt like they’ve needed to knock someone else down in order to feel better about themselves. The message of self-worth isn’t just for the kids being bullied, but the ones doing the bullying as well.

Q: You’re in the Northeast this weekend. What’s next after that?

A: After this, I’ve got a 10-day run in the South, and then in June I’m headed out to Washington state and touring back from there.

In the fall, we’re hoping to put together a school-community-church tour, where I go into schools on Fridays, into the communities on Saturdays and into the churches on Sundays. We’re really trying to spread the ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ message, because I really believe in everything on that album. Music really helped me through my very darkest times, and I really believe there are songs for everyone on that album that let them know they’re really valuable and that someone believes in them. We really want to get into places where we can make a difference.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in returning to Maine?

A: This is the longest I’ve ever been - Bangor Daily News

PORTLAND, Maine — Up-and-coming country singer and North Yarmouth native Shannon Selig is scheduled to return to Maine on Wednesday for the first time since November, and she’s bringing some recognizable talent with her.

Joining Selig for a Thursday night concert in Portland to raise funds for anti-bullying programs will be Jimmy Buffett Band bassist “Uncle Jim” Mayer and Jillian Jensen, a 2012 contestant on the Fox television singing competition “The X-Factor” whose personal story of being bullied made her an early fan favorite.

Also scheduled to perform will be Turner native and fellow anti-bullying activist Carter Isaac.

Since a November appearance at Pat’s Pizza in Portland, Selig has gone back to her new home in Nashville, Tenn., raised nearly $20,000 for her debut album, collaborated with some of the Music City’s most reputable music professionals and released that aforementioned album, “Perfectly Imperfect.”

Among those with credits on the record are Grammy-winning producer and engineer Chad Carlson, who agreed to mix the album and has previously worked with Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood and Alison Krauss.

Battling bullying has been an important cause for Selig, who co-wrote what became a popular Internet single with Mayer on the subject — “Show Me The Light” — and rose awareness for the local nonprofit Keeping Kids Safe through her November performance.

In the moments before she boarded a plane to Portland on Wednesday morning, Selig spoke for a few minutes with the Bangor Daily News by telephone.

Question: What have the past six months been like since you were last here in Portland?

Answer: It’s been crazy. When I saw you last in November I had launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund my album. Since then it was successfully funded — we raised $19,000 by December, and since then, we’ve just been planning for the album. I spent some time writing songs and coming up with new music. We went into the studio in early March and I released [my debut album] “Perfectly Imperfect” on April 16. It’s been a whirlwind.

Q: You’ve worked with a lot of talented Nashville music professionals for your new album. Who had the greatest influence on your sound?

A: Engineer Mike Stankiewicz — he’s one of my good friends and we brought him into the project because he’s so great at getting the best sound of out anyone. He’s worked with me on my vocals and he really just understands when to push me and how to help me really reach my potential.

But the musicians in those rooms were humbling, too. Andy Hull — who has drummed for Collin Raye, somebody who’s a major influence for me — as well as Dow Tomlin on bass, and Danny Parks and Justin Weaver on guitars. To be in their presence and to be their colleague was just humbling, and it taught me that Nashville is a big family. Everybody wants you to do well, and that challenged me to do better.

Q: Bullying is something you’ve been focused on during your young career. What’s your message?

A: I’m not only highlighting the anti-bullying, but I’m trying to highlight positive role models, too. [I want to] teach people how to be positive and happy, how to be a positive role model, and that in turn will hopefully flip things on their end and help people love themselves.

Q: You’ve said that sometimes the bullies need help, too, right?

A: It really goes back to [the adage] ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ My great-grandmother taught me that at a very young age. Some kids were never taught that and they never felt good about themselves. They don’t have that sense of self love and self esteem, and they feel they have to knock others down to feel better about themselves. I feel like everyone in their lives has been bullied and has been the bully at one time or another, even if it was just for a brief moment. Everyone has said something bad about someone else, and everyone has felt like they’ve needed to knock someone else down in order to feel better about themselves. The message of self-worth isn’t just for the kids being bullied, but the ones doing the bullying as well.

Q: You’re in the Northeast this weekend. What’s next after that?

A: After this, I’ve got a 10-day run in the South, and then in June I’m headed out to Washington state and touring back from there.

In the fall, we’re hoping to put together a school-community-church tour, where I go into schools on Fridays, into the communities on Saturdays and into the churches on Sundays. We’re really trying to spread the ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ message, because I really believe in everything on that album. Music really helped me through my very darkest times, and I really believe there are songs for everyone on that album that let them know they’re really valuable and that someone believes in them. We really want to get into places where we can make a difference.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in returning to Maine?

A: This is the longest I’ve ever been - Bangor Daily News

New artist Shannon Selig will debut music from her new album, Perfectly Imperfect, at the virtual venue StageIt on Tuesday, June 25. The performance takes place amid a West Coast tour for the American/Canadian vocalist. Fans from across the continent — and the world — can attend the online concert at 8:30 p.m. E.T./7:30 p.m. C.T./5:30 p.m. P.T., by visiting www.stageit.com/ShannonSeligShow

“I’ve been traveling all over the country but I know there are still so many places and fans I have yet to visit,” Selig says. “Please join me online for a live show from the home of my best friend and guitar player, Ben Kirsch, in Tumwater, Washington. I’m excited to be on the West Coast and able to share my music with those of you on the opposite side of the country at the same time. Hope y’all can tune in and have fun with us.”
(cont..) - Music News Nashville

New artist Shannon Selig will debut music from her new album, Perfectly Imperfect, at the virtual venue StageIt on Tuesday, June 25. The performance takes place amid a West Coast tour for the American/Canadian vocalist. Fans from across the continent — and the world — can attend the online concert at 8:30 p.m. E.T./7:30 p.m. C.T./5:30 p.m. P.T., by visiting www.stageit.com/ShannonSeligShow

“I’ve been traveling all over the country but I know there are still so many places and fans I have yet to visit,” Selig says. “Please join me online for a live show from the home of my best friend and guitar player, Ben Kirsch, in Tumwater, Washington. I’m excited to be on the West Coast and able to share my music with those of you on the opposite side of the country at the same time. Hope y’all can tune in and have fun with us.”
(cont..) - Music News Nashville

Shannon Selig, formerly of North Yarmouth and now an up-and-coming country music singer who lives in Nashville has a powerful viral video out concerning bullying. She tells the Bangor Daily News, “I was bullied in high school, and now I’m an example. I’ve been there and I’m OK.”

Shanon has won the ‘New England Country Music Awards’ for ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ and ‘Female Entertainer of the Year’ and earned ‘North American Country Music Awards Horizon Awards’ for female vocalist and songwriter.

Her song, “Show Me The Light,” was co-written with Jimmy Buffett bassist Jim Mayer. It was written in the memory of Ashlynn Connor and Jasmine McClain, 10-year-old girls in Illinois and North Carolina, respectively, who committed suicide last year. They both reportedly had being bullied in school. - B98.5

Shannon Selig, formerly of North Yarmouth and now an up-and-coming country music singer who lives in Nashville has a powerful viral video out concerning bullying. She tells the Bangor Daily News, “I was bullied in high school, and now I’m an example. I’ve been there and I’m OK.”

Shanon has won the ‘New England Country Music Awards’ for ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ and ‘Female Entertainer of the Year’ and earned ‘North American Country Music Awards Horizon Awards’ for female vocalist and songwriter.

Her song, “Show Me The Light,” was co-written with Jimmy Buffett bassist Jim Mayer. It was written in the memory of Ashlynn Connor and Jasmine McClain, 10-year-old girls in Illinois and North Carolina, respectively, who committed suicide last year. They both reportedly had being bullied in school. - B98.5

Shannon Selig a native of North Yarmouth Maine, 2007 graduate of Greely High school and longtime resident of Boston, MA is coming home to New England with her band for a special two-week tour.

Selig recently relocated to Nashville to work alongside Jim Mayer, long time bassist for Jimmy Buffet and Alan Schulman an award winning record producer. Together Shannon and Jim Mayer co-wrote “Show Me The Light”; a song originally written for two ten-year-old girls who took their own lives because they were bullied in school. The song was released via You-Tube in October to help raise awareness for anti-bullying.
... (cont) - Ray Richardson

Shannon Selig a native of North Yarmouth Maine, 2007 graduate of Greely High school and longtime resident of Boston, MA is coming home to New England with her band for a special two-week tour.

Selig recently relocated to Nashville to work alongside Jim Mayer, long time bassist for Jimmy Buffet and Alan Schulman an award winning record producer. Together Shannon and Jim Mayer co-wrote “Show Me The Light”; a song originally written for two ten-year-old girls who took their own lives because they were bullied in school. The song was released via You-Tube in October to help raise awareness for anti-bullying.
... (cont) - Ray Richardson

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - The owner of Pat's Pizza in the Old Port teamed up with a rising country singer to raise money for anti-bullying efforts in Maine.
Shannon Selig is an up and coming singer-song writer. Now based in Nashville, Shannon grew up in North Yarmouth. Her video for "Show me the Light" has become a popular view on YouTube getting several thousand hits. It's about two 10-year old girls who took their own lives after being bullied.
She sang the song a few times today at an event hosted by Pat's owner Chris Tyll.
... (cont) - Chris Rose

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - The owner of Pat's Pizza in the Old Port teamed up with a rising country singer to raise money for anti-bullying efforts in Maine.
Shannon Selig is an up and coming singer-song writer. Now based in Nashville, Shannon grew up in North Yarmouth. Her video for "Show me the Light" has become a popular view on YouTube getting several thousand hits. It's about two 10-year old girls who took their own lives after being bullied.
She sang the song a few times today at an event hosted by Pat's owner Chris Tyll.
... (cont) - Chris Rose

Shannon Selig a native of North Yarmouth, recently competed in the New England Country Music Organization Competition. The Awards ceremony was held in Chelmsford, Massachusetts on Sunday, June 26th and the Maine Native walked away a winner in every category that she entered. Shannon was honored as the 2011 Female Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year for 2 songs and to win the coveted People’s Choice Award!
Shannon is a 2007 graduate of Greely High School and is currently attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston studying music business and vocal performance. In the past, Shannon has performed as a soloist in the Magic of Christmas with the Portland Symphony, at the Yarmouth Clam Festival, the Cumberland Fair, on the local television show, 207, and other venues across Maine and the U.S. In the past Shannon also competed to win the title of Maine Idol.
Shannon believes in giving back and she certainly has done just that! She recently wrote and recorded a song for the Montreal chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma society, which is being used across Canada to raise money and awareness for their Light the Night Walk fundraiser. Shannon was honored when chosen as a solo performer on “Love Conquers All” a digital album produced by the Berklee community to raise money for Japan relief. Most recently, she was invited to perform for over 5000 people at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Gardner Mass. and was chosen to open the ceremony with the National Anthem.
As the winner of the New England Country Music Awards, Shannon has been chosen to travel to Pigeon Forge Tennessee in March 2012 to compete in the National North American Country Music Association competition. - The Notes

Shannon Selig a native of North Yarmouth, recently competed in the New England Country Music Organization Competition. The Awards ceremony was held in Chelmsford, Massachusetts on Sunday, June 26th and the Maine Native walked away a winner in every category that she entered. Shannon was honored as the 2011 Female Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year for 2 songs and to win the coveted People’s Choice Award!
Shannon is a 2007 graduate of Greely High School and is currently attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston studying music business and vocal performance. In the past, Shannon has performed as a soloist in the Magic of Christmas with the Portland Symphony, at the Yarmouth Clam Festival, the Cumberland Fair, on the local television show, 207, and other venues across Maine and the U.S. In the past Shannon also competed to win the title of Maine Idol.
Shannon believes in giving back and she certainly has done just that! She recently wrote and recorded a song for the Montreal chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma society, which is being used across Canada to raise money and awareness for their Light the Night Walk fundraiser. Shannon was honored when chosen as a solo performer on “Love Conquers All” a digital album produced by the Berklee community to raise money for Japan relief. Most recently, she was invited to perform for over 5000 people at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Gardner Mass. and was chosen to open the ceremony with the National Anthem.
As the winner of the New England Country Music Awards, Shannon has been chosen to travel to Pigeon Forge Tennessee in March 2012 to compete in the National North American Country Music Association competition. - The Notes

Shannon Selig, a singer-songwriter from North Yarmouth, is in Los Angeles this week to compete in the NBC talent hunt program, "The Voice." Selig, 21, last week emerged as the Maine winner of the local WCSH6 audition for the national contest after 47,000 viewers voted for their favorites among six candidates. A graduate of Greely High School, Selig went on to study music at McGill University in Montreal and is currently enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has experimented with a variety of song styles, from pop to classical. Four years ago she won the Maine Idol competition. - The Notes

Shannon Selig, a singer-songwriter from North Yarmouth, is in Los Angeles this week to compete in the NBC talent hunt program, "The Voice." Selig, 21, last week emerged as the Maine winner of the local WCSH6 audition for the national contest after 47,000 viewers voted for their favorites among six candidates. A graduate of Greely High School, Selig went on to study music at McGill University in Montreal and is currently enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has experimented with a variety of song styles, from pop to classical. Four years ago she won the Maine Idol competition. - The Notes

Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005

On eve of 'Magic' adventure, singer reflects

By BOB KEYES, Staff Writer
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.


The Portland Symphony Orchestra opens "Magic of Christmas" on Friday, kicking off a 15-show run that extends through Dec. 18.

In addition to the orchestra, chorus and guest star from New York, this year's cast includes several local residents. Among them is 16-year-old Shannon Selig, a junior at Greely High School.

The North Yarmouth woman will sing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," "We Need a Little Christmas" and other songs.

The daughter of Ashley and Janice Selig, she began singing at age 3 and has received coaching from the age of 9. Presently, her voice teacher is Ellen Chickering of the University of Southern Maine at Gorham.

Selig has been involved in four Greely High School productions, including "Oklahoma" her freshman year in which she played the lead role of Laurey. Last year, she recorded, co-produced and wrote her first solo album, "Through My Eyes."

She also participates in her school chorus, the select madrigal choir, District and All-State festivals and the Wescustago Youth Chorale. Her goal is to attend the Juilliard School and pursue a professional vocal career.

Q.: How did you get involved in "Magic of Christmas?"

A.: I was in "Magic" last year, I was in the children's choir with Wescustago Youth Chorale, so being in the show sparked my interest to be the soloist. Of course, I had to wait a whole year until I could. So this year I asked Ellen Chickering if she knew anything about auditions. We found out about auditions, and I went and was selected as the soloist.

Q.: Do you have a song that stands out as a favorite?

A.: I really like "We Need a Little Christmas." It is such a fun and lively song, but they are all great. I love singing them all over and over again.

Q.: Talk about your family Christmas celebration. What are some of your family's traditions?

A.: Well, for me and my family, Christmas is a big holiday. My dad, brother and I hang up all the decorations. My dad loves decorating for the holidays. We always have two Christmas trees, one white-light tree with clear or white ornaments, and a traditional tree with multi-colored lights and all our old family ornaments. No matter how old my brother and I get, we still wake up as early as our parents let us and rush downstairs to see what is there. We usually spend most of the day in our pajamas unwrapping gifts and putting them together. We always have a big breakfast, which my mom cooks. Overall we are very festive and love the holiday season. It is just a great time for all of us to be together.

Q.: What do you like most about Christmas?

A.: I love the Christmas carols and hot cocoa. I like just a light snowfall. I couldn't imagine not having a white Christmas. I also love watching little children unwrap their presents or sit on Santa's lap. I love giving my friends presents, and receiving them is fun, too. Overall Christmas is my favorite holiday of all. I just think it is magical.

Q.: From reading your bio, it's obvious that you are serious about your voice and the possibility of a career in music. What prompted you to get into music in the first place?

A.: Well, I have always sung. My grandmother has a picture of me when I was 3 standing on the coffee table giving a concert. I have always just loved music and everything about it. I knew that the only way I would be truly happy is if I was performing. And that is when I am happiest, when I am on stage."

Q.: What is the most important lesson Ellen Chickering has taught you?

A.: I have only been studying with her for a while, yet she has taught me so much. She has taught me better breathing and how to get out a better sound. When I work with her, sometimes when I go home I feel like I just had a workout, because my abs will ache a little bit from breathing, but that is a good thing.

Q.: What attracts you to musical theater? What do you like about being on stage?

A.: I love all music really. I mean, I would really love to go into the music industry as a recording artist. That is my first true love, but if I ever had a chance to perform on Broadway, I would jump at that chance. I love musical theater because it is so animated, and I think that nowadays many people can become recording artists because they have voice-over stuff and synthesizers, but it takes true talent to be a musical-theater performer.

Q.: What are your hopes and dreams?

A.: Wow, big question. I have to say I am a huge dreamer. But I think my biggest dream is that I become a famous singer and get to perform for thousands of people every single week or day if I can. I hope that the show goes well and that it brings joy to everyone who sees it. I think spreading the Christmas magic is the most important thing.

Q.: What do you want for Christmas?

A.: Well, I asked for a couple of movies, but reall - The Portland Press Herald

Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005

On eve of 'Magic' adventure, singer reflects

By BOB KEYES, Staff Writer
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.


The Portland Symphony Orchestra opens "Magic of Christmas" on Friday, kicking off a 15-show run that extends through Dec. 18.

In addition to the orchestra, chorus and guest star from New York, this year's cast includes several local residents. Among them is 16-year-old Shannon Selig, a junior at Greely High School.

The North Yarmouth woman will sing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," "We Need a Little Christmas" and other songs.

The daughter of Ashley and Janice Selig, she began singing at age 3 and has received coaching from the age of 9. Presently, her voice teacher is Ellen Chickering of the University of Southern Maine at Gorham.

Selig has been involved in four Greely High School productions, including "Oklahoma" her freshman year in which she played the lead role of Laurey. Last year, she recorded, co-produced and wrote her first solo album, "Through My Eyes."

She also participates in her school chorus, the select madrigal choir, District and All-State festivals and the Wescustago Youth Chorale. Her goal is to attend the Juilliard School and pursue a professional vocal career.

Q.: How did you get involved in "Magic of Christmas?"

A.: I was in "Magic" last year, I was in the children's choir with Wescustago Youth Chorale, so being in the show sparked my interest to be the soloist. Of course, I had to wait a whole year until I could. So this year I asked Ellen Chickering if she knew anything about auditions. We found out about auditions, and I went and was selected as the soloist.

Q.: Do you have a song that stands out as a favorite?

A.: I really like "We Need a Little Christmas." It is such a fun and lively song, but they are all great. I love singing them all over and over again.

Q.: Talk about your family Christmas celebration. What are some of your family's traditions?

A.: Well, for me and my family, Christmas is a big holiday. My dad, brother and I hang up all the decorations. My dad loves decorating for the holidays. We always have two Christmas trees, one white-light tree with clear or white ornaments, and a traditional tree with multi-colored lights and all our old family ornaments. No matter how old my brother and I get, we still wake up as early as our parents let us and rush downstairs to see what is there. We usually spend most of the day in our pajamas unwrapping gifts and putting them together. We always have a big breakfast, which my mom cooks. Overall we are very festive and love the holiday season. It is just a great time for all of us to be together.

Q.: What do you like most about Christmas?

A.: I love the Christmas carols and hot cocoa. I like just a light snowfall. I couldn't imagine not having a white Christmas. I also love watching little children unwrap their presents or sit on Santa's lap. I love giving my friends presents, and receiving them is fun, too. Overall Christmas is my favorite holiday of all. I just think it is magical.

Q.: From reading your bio, it's obvious that you are serious about your voice and the possibility of a career in music. What prompted you to get into music in the first place?

A.: Well, I have always sung. My grandmother has a picture of me when I was 3 standing on the coffee table giving a concert. I have always just loved music and everything about it. I knew that the only way I would be truly happy is if I was performing. And that is when I am happiest, when I am on stage."

Q.: What is the most important lesson Ellen Chickering has taught you?

A.: I have only been studying with her for a while, yet she has taught me so much. She has taught me better breathing and how to get out a better sound. When I work with her, sometimes when I go home I feel like I just had a workout, because my abs will ache a little bit from breathing, but that is a good thing.

Q.: What attracts you to musical theater? What do you like about being on stage?

A.: I love all music really. I mean, I would really love to go into the music industry as a recording artist. That is my first true love, but if I ever had a chance to perform on Broadway, I would jump at that chance. I love musical theater because it is so animated, and I think that nowadays many people can become recording artists because they have voice-over stuff and synthesizers, but it takes true talent to be a musical-theater performer.

Q.: What are your hopes and dreams?

A.: Wow, big question. I have to say I am a huge dreamer. But I think my biggest dream is that I become a famous singer and get to perform for thousands of people every single week or day if I can. I hope that the show goes well and that it brings joy to everyone who sees it. I think spreading the Christmas magic is the most important thing.

Q.: What do you want for Christmas?

A.: Well, I asked for a couple of movies, but reall - The Portland Press Herald

Ever since she stood on the family coffee table at age 2 and belted into a toy microphone, Shannon Selig has been passionate about singing for an audience. "It's been my biggest dream for as long as I can remember," said Selig, 14, who is entering her sophomore year at Greely High School.

She's aware her dream for a musical career is one shared by many other young singers, and that the recording industry is a tough business. But with two demos and a new album already under her belt, the young entertainer isn't letting the odds slow her down.
Earlier this month, Selig traveled to Jenison, Mich., to work with Ken Medema, a singer-songwriter well-known on the Christian music circuit, to record her first full-length album, "Through My Eyes." Medema composed most of the 10 songs on the album, and Selig even wrote one song - "Drift Away," about a tragic loss - on her own. She hopes to release the self-produced CD next month.

Selig's vocal coach, Gloria Bonnin of South Portland, said her student has the drive of an Olympic athlete.
"You wonder how at their age can they be so focused?" asked Bonnin. "She puts all of her energy into this, and other kids can't get out of bed in the morning. When kids a have a focus like that, it's not work to them."

When she was 10, Selig was inspired by country music singer Billy Gilman, when he appeared in his own music video on TV at age 11.
"I was in awe," recalled Selig, who began taking voice lessons at age 9. "He's my age, and he's doing what I'm aspiring to do.
"Selig, who says other than Gilman her biggest musical influences are Celine Dion and Josh Groban, spends most of her free time singing along to her karaoke machine, sometimes to the chagrin of her 13-year-old brother, Kyle. Selig said she finds inspiration in the lyrics of many of the songs she sings along to.
"Some of Celine Dion's songs, the words are so meaningful," said Selig. "That love is so important and powerful, and the need for caring in a hateful world."

At 12, Selig paid her mother, Janice, to drive her to New York City with her own baby-sitting money to audition for "Star Search." The mother and daughter stood in line for hours in the February cold among hundreds of children, but then found out that only one performer would be selected for the show.

Later that year, Selig recorded her first demo of five songs at Big Sound Productions & Studios in Westbrook. Her parents, who paid for the recording, secretly hoped it didn't turn out well.
"I wanted to protect her from being hurt if she didn't succeed," said Janice Selig. "But after that demo I realized I couldn't stop her, and I'm not going to. She showed it is possible she has the talent to do this for a living."

Meanwhile, Selig continued to sing in school choir groups, and as an eighth-grader, she was selected to join the Wescustago Youth Chorale, even though the group only consists of high school students. She also performed in the Portland Player's production of "The Sound of Music" that year.

Last year, her freshman year of high school, Selig got the lead role of "Laurey" in Greely's production of "Oklahoma!" She was the youngest member of the cast, and had her first kiss on stage. After the performance, it was clear stage fright was not an issue for Selig.
"When I first started to go on stage, I got excited," she said. "I was happy and ready, thinking 'This is so cool.' My heart started to flutter 'cause I was excited, not because I was nervous."

Also last year, Selig was accepted into the state's most selective competition for high school vocalists, the All-State Music Honors Festival. She placed sixth among the sopranos in the festival.

So when her mother, a real estate agent, heard Medema perform at a conference in Florida earlier this year, she begged the songwriter to hear her daughter sing.
"I get that all the time," recalled Medema. "A parent will say, 'My child is the greatest singer on the face of planet.' I remember thinking, 'Oh no, a stage mother, here we go.'"
But Medema agreed to listen to Selig's demo, and when he played it at his Michigan home, he was floored.
"I thought no, this can't be, this is surely some professional who has done records for years," said Medema.

He immediately e-mailed Selig, asking her if she wanted to collaborate on an album project. Selig agreed, and in April she decided to record three new cover songs on a demo at The Studio in Portland to give Medema an update of her taste in music and her strengthening voice.

Realizing that making a trip to Michigan and putting together a CD would require more money than she could make baby-sitting, Selig organized a fund-raising campaign. Thanks to the generosity of local Realtors and family friends, Selig had $6,000 raised by the time she put on a benefit concert in July. She raised $8,500 to go toward her and her mother's plane tickets and the recording.

Before leaving for Michigan, Selig wrote "Drift Away," a song about her - Portland Press Herald

Ever since she stood on the family coffee table at age 2 and belted into a toy microphone, Shannon Selig has been passionate about singing for an audience. "It's been my biggest dream for as long as I can remember," said Selig, 14, who is entering her sophomore year at Greely High School.

She's aware her dream for a musical career is one shared by many other young singers, and that the recording industry is a tough business. But with two demos and a new album already under her belt, the young entertainer isn't letting the odds slow her down.
Earlier this month, Selig traveled to Jenison, Mich., to work with Ken Medema, a singer-songwriter well-known on the Christian music circuit, to record her first full-length album, "Through My Eyes." Medema composed most of the 10 songs on the album, and Selig even wrote one song - "Drift Away," about a tragic loss - on her own. She hopes to release the self-produced CD next month.

Selig's vocal coach, Gloria Bonnin of South Portland, said her student has the drive of an Olympic athlete.
"You wonder how at their age can they be so focused?" asked Bonnin. "She puts all of her energy into this, and other kids can't get out of bed in the morning. When kids a have a focus like that, it's not work to them."

When she was 10, Selig was inspired by country music singer Billy Gilman, when he appeared in his own music video on TV at age 11.
"I was in awe," recalled Selig, who began taking voice lessons at age 9. "He's my age, and he's doing what I'm aspiring to do.
"Selig, who says other than Gilman her biggest musical influences are Celine Dion and Josh Groban, spends most of her free time singing along to her karaoke machine, sometimes to the chagrin of her 13-year-old brother, Kyle. Selig said she finds inspiration in the lyrics of many of the songs she sings along to.
"Some of Celine Dion's songs, the words are so meaningful," said Selig. "That love is so important and powerful, and the need for caring in a hateful world."

At 12, Selig paid her mother, Janice, to drive her to New York City with her own baby-sitting money to audition for "Star Search." The mother and daughter stood in line for hours in the February cold among hundreds of children, but then found out that only one performer would be selected for the show.

Later that year, Selig recorded her first demo of five songs at Big Sound Productions & Studios in Westbrook. Her parents, who paid for the recording, secretly hoped it didn't turn out well.
"I wanted to protect her from being hurt if she didn't succeed," said Janice Selig. "But after that demo I realized I couldn't stop her, and I'm not going to. She showed it is possible she has the talent to do this for a living."

Meanwhile, Selig continued to sing in school choir groups, and as an eighth-grader, she was selected to join the Wescustago Youth Chorale, even though the group only consists of high school students. She also performed in the Portland Player's production of "The Sound of Music" that year.

Last year, her freshman year of high school, Selig got the lead role of "Laurey" in Greely's production of "Oklahoma!" She was the youngest member of the cast, and had her first kiss on stage. After the performance, it was clear stage fright was not an issue for Selig.
"When I first started to go on stage, I got excited," she said. "I was happy and ready, thinking 'This is so cool.' My heart started to flutter 'cause I was excited, not because I was nervous."

Also last year, Selig was accepted into the state's most selective competition for high school vocalists, the All-State Music Honors Festival. She placed sixth among the sopranos in the festival.

So when her mother, a real estate agent, heard Medema perform at a conference in Florida earlier this year, she begged the songwriter to hear her daughter sing.
"I get that all the time," recalled Medema. "A parent will say, 'My child is the greatest singer on the face of planet.' I remember thinking, 'Oh no, a stage mother, here we go.'"
But Medema agreed to listen to Selig's demo, and when he played it at his Michigan home, he was floored.
"I thought no, this can't be, this is surely some professional who has done records for years," said Medema.

He immediately e-mailed Selig, asking her if she wanted to collaborate on an album project. Selig agreed, and in April she decided to record three new cover songs on a demo at The Studio in Portland to give Medema an update of her taste in music and her strengthening voice.

Realizing that making a trip to Michigan and putting together a CD would require more money than she could make baby-sitting, Selig organized a fund-raising campaign. Thanks to the generosity of local Realtors and family friends, Selig had $6,000 raised by the time she put on a benefit concert in July. She raised $8,500 to go toward her and her mother's plane tickets and the recording.

Before leaving for Michigan, Selig wrote "Drift Away," a song about her - Portland Press Herald

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - "The Voice" Contest winner Shannon Selig spoke with us on Tuesday's 6 AM show.

Selig is headed to Los Angeles on Monday to try out for NBC's hit show "The Voice". She's been given a "golden ticket" to get ahead in the tryouts.

We will follow her progress in California next week.

Shannon also sang a little bit for us. We wish her the best of luck!!! - WCSH6

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - "The Voice" Contest winner Shannon Selig spoke with us on Tuesday's 6 AM show.

Selig is headed to Los Angeles on Monday to try out for NBC's hit show "The Voice". She's been given a "golden ticket" to get ahead in the tryouts.

We will follow her progress in California next week.

Shannon also sang a little bit for us. We wish her the best of luck!!! - WCSH6

"With over 47,000 votes for our local audition of "The Voice" the winner is Shannon Selig of North Yarmouth. The winner will head out to Los Angeles and we will follow their progress. " - WCSH6

"With over 47,000 votes for our local audition of "The Voice" the winner is Shannon Selig of North Yarmouth. The winner will head out to Los Angeles and we will follow their progress. " - WCSH6