The Reel is an Alternative/Rock/Pop Band that began with two guys and their acoustic guitars. It was hard to deny the musical connection; The Reel was born with their first album, Come Alive. After two years, Cameron and Curtis were introduced to Christian and they knew that he was right guy to lay down the groove. It was obvious who the other two band members would be. Kevin, a long time friend and guitarist, and Jacob, who truly knew the meaning of “slap da bass!” Becoming more brothers than friends, The Reel found their sound. Coming from Placerville, California, The Reel is most commonly known to play around California in churches, bars, and festivals. However, they have made it around the United States and other countries, traveling to Niger, Africa and Delhi, India. In just the past two years, The Reel has accomplished national radio with their song, “Come Alive,” as well as several interviews on local radio stations. They have also been featured in newspapers across California. In addition, The Reel is proud to be a part of Courage to Be You, Inc., an international, non-profit organization dedicated to building homes and providing care for minor of human sex-trafficking (www.C2BU.com). More recently, The Reel won a competition and headed to Nashville where they were privileged to perform at the CMAs. They won 2nd place for their song “What if You Believe.” Their new song, “Made For You,” recently won Grand Prize for the West Coast Songwriters International Song Competition. Beyond their love of music, The Reel’s passion is to inspire, challenge, and move people. The Reel ‘s second album Stars is out now and can be purchased at a show or on iTunes

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Stephanie Midthun, Creative Director for C2BU, has given her life to leading worship and directing music for the last 25 years. Stephanie and her two sisters formed the group threefour:one in 2000 and have recorded 5 CD’s. Audiences often say their music and personal testimonies lead them into the healing presence of the Father. In 2003, Stephanie went to Africa and God broke her heart for the street children and clearly called her to be the voice for those that have no voice. In 2008, but what could only be described as a divine encounter , Jenny Williamson and Stephanie met for coffee and Jenny told Stephanie about the dream of the Courage House and that she needed a song to the story of the young girls who are being sold for sex here in the U.S. and who need to be rescued. A few days later, Stephanie wrote the song Believe in Me. Soon after that Stephanie gathered several local bands and artists to be a part of the Believe in Me CD for the Courage House and together they have done numerous benefit concerts which Stephanie oversees as well as Courage Conferences. Stephanie’s heart and passion is for worship and justice and to inspire the church to rescue the children, both here and around the globe. Stephanie and her husband, Pastor Joel from Living Water Church, have 3 sons and reside in Elk Grove, CA.

“The Music Room is a creative outlet for the talents and thoughts of
siblings Aimee Bellanca and Dane Johnson. Formed in 2008, the band began with little more than hopes of not embarrassing themselves at a show for friends at a Memorial Day picnic. However, fate has had other plans. In the audience that day was musician and producer Riley Armstrong, who offered them an opportunity to record some of their songs. As a result of his offer, the 10-song album “Lesser Loves (May, 2009)” was released into the world and the siblings had more of a reason to go play more shows.

After a strenuous and trying 2-month nationwide tour in the spring of 2010, The Music Room were refined into a simpler, more folk-centered band focused on telling honest stories about their doubts, struggles, and hope in a life much bigger than themselves. Compelled by their hope they have partnered with the non-profit “Courage to Be You” as the organization fights to end sex-trafficking in the their home region and beyond.

The Music Room is an acoustic-guitar driven outfit, incorporating drums and percussion, bass, piano, accordion, mandolin, and harmonica. Led by the pure uplifting vocals of Aimee Bellanca, the band delivers melodic and memorable lyrics that discuss issues of faith, love, and God with a raw yet hopeful skepticism.

Their newest release “Live While You’re Alive” is a five-song EP recorded and produced by Brian Steckler in November of 2010. It is available online at every major music downloading site.”

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C2BU artist Nate Fowler wrote the song for our latest music video called “Call Me Family.” Nate also won GMA’s Song of the Year Award for his song, “Hurricane..” He is currently finishing a new EP which will be released soon.

Bio

“Let’s all pretend we’re the only ones in the room and feel okay with ourselves dancing around like we have a clue what we’re doing- it’s called making a memory.”
I would like that to become my catch phrase. I understand it’s way to long to be a “catch phrase” so maybe it can just be my really, really long motto. I’m going to write my own biography- according to my freshman English teacher this would be referred to as “auto” biography.
Here we go. “Hello, (standing) my name is Nate Fowler.” I was born in a small town in California. One-two- skip a few- I moved to Boise, ID with my parents at the tender age of 9 years. Soon after I took interest to my dad’s acoustic guitar- I strummed one chord for 3 weeks. Wrote my first song using that one chord. I’ve been doing similar ever since. Music has always been something that has intrigued me. I began as a drummer- when realizing that Phil Collins had already done the whole drummer-lead-singer thing I began spending more time strumming. I’m a really big fan of everything music represents. I love the writing, production, replication, booking, load-in, planning the show, promoting the show, connecting with people from stage, tearing down, meeting people, sharing laughs- occasional awkward tears- then lying in bed watching the fan spin trying to figure out how we can make that exact feeling happen again. Wow- that is basically the entire process of the “music business”, minus some other not so important details.
When I write I try putting words to music. Well yea- I guess that’s the point. I’m pretty emotional- that doesn’t mean “sad”. My sister once gave me a piece of art that reads, “music is what feelings sound like”- that could be a biography right there. I like to make memories and it seems that there are other people that like to make memories as well.
I spent a lot of years trying to discover who I was. I strived to “find” myself as if the world was trying to push and pull me- come to realize there was nothing pushing or pulling. Just living life- the same way we each do when we wake up in the morning. As I grow older there are a few things that have become more important to me; having some friends and having people that feel they can call me their friend. A “friend” is a funny thing, you just kind of know that you’re friends. There’s no working or guessing- just being friends. I’m married to my best friend and we just kind of know. I like her and she likes me.
I believe that loves wins- each and every time. Failure is simply not trying. Wasted time is living through Facebook- updating your status and photos about your awesome REAL life is totally cool. I’m passionate- please be passionate about something with me. They don’t have to be the same passions but we can still be friends- I hope. I do not have an “official” Facebook page- just the basic one that is free. I can’t afford the fancy upgrades.

I want to meet you at a show soon- shows are my passion. We can make memories there; laugh (loud), cry (hopefully not a lot), hug (side hugs for the dudes), and it’s all acceptable because we’re friends.
I am the one who really replies on Facebook, yes those Tweets are from me, and the person you’re emailing on my website is me. I’ve asked my wife to do it but I could not afford the salary she demanded. That’s a joke, she just didn’t want to.
Thanks for taking some time to learn a bit about me.

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With a message that touches the heart and a singing voice that inspires, Chaya tells of the greatness of God’s mercy and grace. She has experienced His love, forgiveness, and healing in a most powerful way, and longs for everyone she comes in contact with to have that same experience. She reaches all ages with her personal story that tells of a wonderfully happy childhood that was shattered when she entered her early teens, finding out that important parts of her life had been a lie. She tells of the road back to wholeness through Jesus Christ, and is living proof that with a life sold out to the Lord, there is hope and triumph in the midst of tremendous heartbreak.

Chaya serves as a worship leader at Rancho Murieta Community Church, and is often asked to lead at other churches, where she is always asked to return. Her reputation precedes her, as she is known as being very flexible and a pleasure to work with. Her piano style is similar to well-known worship leader/recording artist Jason Upton. Her voice has been compared to that of jazz singer, Diana Krall. Having written most of the music that she performs, she is able to reach from her heart directly into the hearts of her listeners.

After appearing on Toronto TV’s “100 Huntley Street,” singing and telling about her life, her ministry requests increased dramatically, and her CDs now have international radio play. She is in demand as a speaker/singer for women’s events, conferences, retreats, Christmas programs, and church services. She has opened for the popular duo, Shane and Shane, and performed in venues with people such as Rebecca St. James, and Fernando Ortega. She has three CDs out, with the latest album, True Colors (which is predicted to be a winner), produced by Ralph Stover, who has worked with Point of Grace, Promise Keepers, Salvador, Jackie Green, and Chris Webster.

Whether Chaya is ministering to a small group or to thousands, there is an astounding feeling of intimacy. Since giving her life to Jesus Christ, she knows that whatever the setting, it’s where the Lord has placed her. People seem drawn to come up to her and tell her that the words she spoke or sang cut directly to their heart. She says that this is what makes her ministry exciting and worthwhile, and it confirms that this is what God has called her to.

If you are interested in finding out if Chaya would fit your need for a speaker, singer, worship leader, or all three, you can find out more information at www.reachchaya.com or you may call 916-354-8623.

Chaya is also part of a popular jazz trio, called the “Chaya Trio,” often performing at Christmas parties and musicals, weddings, restaurants, events, country clubs, and openings. Everyone loves this group as they bring back the wonderful music of Sinatra, Bennett, Fitzgerald, Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Latin flavors, and more. The website is www.chayatrio.com.

Chaya’s Testimony

Christian artist Chaya came into the world in 1981 to a confused 17 year old girl. Chaya always wondered who her father was”not even her natural mother was sure. It was decided soon after Chaya was born that it would be best if she were raised by her grandparents. So, at 10 months of age, Chaya’s grandparents became mom and dad. From that point on, her mother was dedicated to nothing less than making sure, even at her young age, that Chaya would know the Lord in an intimate way. By age three she fully understood His love for her and accepted Him as her Savior. However, a series of tragic incidents would leave an indelible mark upon Chaya’s heart which would negatively affect her Christian faith. When Chaya was 12, her natural mother was killed in a car accident. This was very difficult for Chaya and her heart began to harden. Her pain found expression in music and at age 14 she wrote her first song, I Have a Promise.But life was to take some still harder turns. Her bitterness grew and by 17, with her childlike passion and faith grown cold, she had turned to the world for fulfillment. But she kept on writing. Her music was her catharsis. But then tragedy struck again. One of her closest friends was killed in a car accident. His name was Andy, he was 21 years old. Chaya’s heart became incredibly broken and all of her pent up bitterness shattered. In the midst of this pain and hurt, she remembered the God of her youth and cried out to Him – He heard her and rescued her. God then brought a friend to Chaya who introduced her to Galatians 2:20. This verse really spoke to her heart and upon reading it, she understood it, and things began to make sense again. She made a decision to serve this wonderful God who had fully healed and restored her blackened heart. Where before she knew hurt, bitterness and pain, she now, by God’s healing grace, began to know joy, peace and love. Music remained in Chaya’s life, stronger than ever. Just this year Chaya lost her best friend Esther, her grandma-in-law, and her dad. Through it all, she continues to write her songs for God, singing to Him and singing about Him so that other people may come to know His wonderful love, hope, and healing.

Singer/songwriter Cindy Maslov, who is a part of the new duo Steel Mouth with singer/guitarist Ryan Tillema, met each other through serving in the fight against sex trafficking. Since 2010 they have been performing in the benefit concerts for Courage House and they have found the same passion and raw acoustic style with music that reflects truth and honesty. Steel Mouth is now writing, performing and recording songs to inspire others and change lives.