COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT
Becca!

Nashville isn’t the only place you can find good Country music. Becca is taking L.A. Country to new heights!

Growing up in Thousand Oaks, California, Becca never realized that music should be categorized or pigeonholed. Otherwise she would have known that her favorite singers - Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, even Kenny Rogers - were considered country artists. They were Mainstream Country artists, who fit nicely on the radio right next to The Eagles, Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt. What Becca did know was that those artists were singing honest music straight from the heart. What she heard on her radio station was simply great music.

"I grew up listening to what I thought was really cool music," says Becca. "I didn't realize it was what is considered country. It wasn't until I got out in the real world that I discovered there was a label for what I was listening to."

Becca's brand of L.A. Country draws from a deep well of those early influences on her debut release for Nari Records, simply titled Becca. "I had been singing R&B in different clubs around town," she recalls. "Something just didn't feel quite right though. I mean, I love that style, but it just wasn't me."

She is an LA girl who loves Country, so naturally the Becca sound starts with solid Country. Then she blends in everything that’s crazy-good about Blues, Soul, Folk, Gospel and Rock and comes out with a unique sound Becca calls, L.A. Country. Forget the mechanical bull. Get on the Becca wild ride through 14 new songs and experience everything from a screamin’ “Texas Hurricane” to a gentle breeze blowing through the Family Tree. Her versatile voice will break your heart in “Time to Pretend” and touch your soul with “Broken Wings.” The BECCA CD includes duets with two of music's legends, Stan Perkins (son of Rockabillly legend Carl Perkins and Delaney Bramllett. She and Delaney sound like they were both born to sing “Blue Note” and Stan Perkins and Becca will make you swear you can smell a “Dozen Roses.” Becca is backed up by a stellar world class band 'L.A. COUNTRY' that gives flawless resonance to each unique arrangement, from the Country pop of Becca’s #1 Independent Country Single “Second Chance,” to the folk rock of “Autumn Eyes!”

Becca has walked away with many prestigious awards with her LA Country voice. The LA Music Awards named her International Superstar of the Year and she was awarded Country Single of the Year and Country Album of the Year as well.

So, what does this native Californian who puts her own twist on the Country music scene want out of this crazy business? “I want the satisfaction of having people experience my music and feel it the way I do,” she states honestly. “In five years, I would like to have a successful music career that will enable me to give back to others the way others have given to me.”

When Becca is not making music or winning awards or performing, you can find her spending time with her children. “I am a full time Mommy first, then a full time singer,” she laughs. “I don’t have time for much else, so when I do have free time, I like to get down with my kids and play!”

In the meantime, a lot of radio stations are playing her music and that’s why she is on the Independent Music Network’s Best of 2009 syndicated radio show.

For more on Becca, go to www.beccaonline.com.

SPECIAL FEATURE:

Don Mathews: “You’re My Miracle”

Don Mathews is not just a special singer/songwriter who touches you with his music, but he is a special human being who touches lives when you need just might need it the most. As he tells us, he has been involved in EMS for the majority of his life. Emergency Response Personnel are those who put their lives and their hearts on the line for us when disaster strikes. It can be a hurricane, a car wreck or the tragedy of 9/11 and those men and women of EMS are there. Don Mathews is one of those quiet “heroes” who you can count on when in need. However, he has seen heroes like himself pay the price --- the emotional price, for going where needed and no questions asked. And that was why Don wrote “Tribute to EMS.” It inspired so many, including then President Bush who wrote a special letter to Don. But more importantly, it helped other EMS people to understand they were not alone and that Americans cared.

Don probably wouldn’t like IMN calling him a hero, but that is how we think of Don and all EMS professionals.

Currently, “You’re My Miracle” is his single and it is very popular on the IMN Charts. Read on and find out more about the Don Mathews as he took the time to do a quick interview for us.

Q: Describe Don, the man behind the music.

DON: I've been involved in EMS for over 40 years. I wrote my first song when I was in a band in high school. After that I pretty much just played for my own pleasure and stress relief until 2005 when I started playing in public again. I enjoyed that so much it inspired me to start writing again. One of the first songs I wrote was "Tribute to EMS' to help myself after a really bad ambulance call. I found that the song helped others and it has been used by FDNY Counseling Services, Acadian Ambulance Service after Hurricane Katrina, and other EMS and fire services around the world. I've received e-mails telling me that the lyrics have been translated into other languages. I also received a letter from President Bush regarding that song. I'm hoping to be able to continue to use my music to help others around the world.

Q: Who inspired you to first start making music?

DON: Probably listening to my Aunt Shirley come over and play her acoustic guitar. She was doing that when I was really little. And then of course, listening to all of the people on “American Bandstand.”

Q: If you could record with one group or one person, who would it be and why?

DON: I'd love to record with George Strait. He's my style of professional performer. He goes out and delivers a song, he doesn't need to jump off trampolines or do other theatrical actions. He's able to hold the fans just by his performance.

Q: Besides your own music, what one song means the most to you and why?

DON: “Old Shep” because my Mom taught me to sing that when I was first learning to play the guitar and I heard her sing it for years before that.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island for one week, what four things would you take with you?

DON: Water, a big gun for hunting, matches for fire, acoustic guitar to keep my sanity(what little I have).

Visit Don and find out more about this talented and amazing man at www.donmathewenterprise.com

Get Into The Music of RECEPTACLE

“Believe In Me” by Receptacle is currently featured on IMN’s The Best of 2009 syndicated radio show. Taken from their CD, Because I Know His Name, it is one of many hits that this Christian band has recorded. Check them out right now.

Receptacle formed in 2002 after singer/songwriter, John Ratliff, received a calling from God to spread His word through writing and performing. Their sound comes from a 60's and 70's rock style with a deep influence by the Beatles, Byrds, and Eagles.

According to John, “I started playing music at eight years old. In high school I had a group and we loved the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Searchers.”

John flew for the airlines for many years until the death of a good friend caused him to turn to Christian Music. Receptacle was born and they write their own music in the 60's and 70's style.

“I am happy the Independent Music Network plays Christian music and we are very happy to be n the Best of 2009 syndicated radio show,” acknowledged John when IMN called him about being on the show. “God brings people together for a reason.”

For more on Receptacle and to purchase their amazing music, go to www.tatemsuicgroup.com. Receptacle is also on iTunes, CD Baby and Jango.