MARIA CONNEL SINGER/SONGWRITER ENTERTAINER. Contact

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1 MARIA CONNEL SINGER/SONGWRITER ENTERTAINER Contact From club circuits, to corporate functions, to regularly featured Casino entertainer, to recording artist, Maria Connel has earned the respect of colleagues and fans worldwide. After a successful debut release, "All About Me", Maria garnered the attention of Memphis Hall of Fame producer, Larry Rogers of the renowned Studio 19 in Nashville. That led to a collaboration on "The One", a single release, co-written by Annie Roboff (This Kiss) & Holly Lamar (Breathe). This track became Maria's first Nashville recorded release and went #1 in October 2002 on the World Indie charts. Once called the Shania Twain of Essex County, Maria s career successes also include the release of a music video, a self-penned Contemporary Christian CD, and an Italian-language release. ARTIST INFORMATION BIOGRAPHY The old saying, You ve come a long way, baby is an accurate summation of singer/songwriter Maria Connel's musical career. Of Italian descent, born, Maria Domenica Palazzolo, to a well-renowned local musical family, the singer began her informal training at a very early age. Maria began by playing the flute, & keyboards, singing in choirs, performing at weddings, fundraisers, clubs, doing vocal session work, and numerous other specialty corporate gigs. As her career advanced, Maria fronted several area bands, playing the keys and providing lead vocals, promo, and bookings. Formally trained in the Canadian Conservatory vocal method, Maria subsequently taught 40 students/wk. for about 5 years. Having left the club circuit to put a duo together for Casino Windsor (the first in Canada), Maria then became a regularly featured act and was chosen to appear in the original photo shoot for Casino Windsor before its grand opening. In Sept. 2000, Maria Connel realized another dream by writing, recording, producing and financing her own CD release, distributed by Indiepool Canada. As a result of its initial success, the CD gained

2 the interest of Memphis Hall of Fame producer Larry Rogers and Maria travelled to Nashville to collaborate on 2 singles. The first single was co-written by Annie Roboff (This Kiss) and Holly Lamar (Breathe), and was released to 2200 U.S. radio stations in June 2002, and was rated #21 on the Inside Country Charts and #1 on the World Indie Charts. In the summer of 2002, Maria's Canadian debut CD was also released to Europe and hit #3 in Belgium, #5 in France and the UK and was added to playlists across Europe with great enthusiasm. An Italian-language CD simply entitled, Maria was then released to the International market in the spring of This project was the culmination of years of performing at Italian venues, opening for Italian artists, and touring with special occasion groups, Gino s Market, Sixth Avenue & Orchestra Pagano. It featured an exciting mix of Maria s favourite traditional Italian songs, as well as pop favourites from such artists; Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Giorgia, Marcella Bella & Albano Carrisi. As a direct result of Maria s previous successes, a deal was signed with HMG Nashville (a division of the Christian Country Music Assoc.) to record 3 Gospel singles for release to 1,000 U.S. and 60 Canadian radio stations. The Nashville-recorded CD entitled, Your Will includes the title track (cowritten with Brett Humber), as well as Come Into My Life (co-written with Amber Gunn) and the selfpenned My Saving Grace. This third track became Maria s debut music video shot in Windsor, Ontario. No stranger to Gospel music, Maria was formerly the vocal Music Director for Canada s premiere showband, Music Express, a 30 piece orchestra backed by 20 singers doing Gospel shows, motown revues, and dance band shows. In her spare time, Maria continues to serve in the Music Ministry at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, where she directs the Senior Choir and cantors weekly masses. With years of professional experience behind her, there s no question that Maria Connel is a seasoned and well-respected singer/songwriter/entertainer extraordinaire. Whether fronting a single, duo, large or small group, Maria Connel s command of a show room is awe-inspiring and always topnotch. WEBSITE DISCOGRAPHY All About Me Canadian Debut Release Maria composed all music & lyrics, as well as performed all vocals & flute tracks. The One Nashville recorded Produced by Memphis Hall of Fame Producer, Larry Rogers, written by: Annie Roboff (This Kiss) & Holly Lamar (Breathe) Your Will Contemporary Christian Release HMG Nashville 2003 Indie Buzz NXNE 2001 A Collection of New Canadian Independent Music My Saving Grace Debut Music Video DVD 2004 Maria Italian-language Debut Release Canada s Music Express We Have A Mission AWARDS Can. Debut CD All About Me ranked #3 in Belgium, #5 in the U.K. & France. Indie World Chart - the single The One ranked #1 Oct. 2002

3 Billboard World Song Contest Honourable Mention - the single Your Will Finalist C.A.T.S. - Christian Artist Talent Search, hosted by Clifton Davis, aired on INSP Network TV July 2005 The single Your Will ranked #1 on American Idol Website in Faith-based genre - July 2006 TV Appearances on National & Local TV include: New Day Morning Show NewPL, London, Canada Evening News New WI, Windsor, Canada Breakfast TV CHUM, Toronto, Canada C.A.T.S. INSP Networks, Charlotte, NC, USA Mosaico Italiano CFTV 34, Leamington, Canada 2005 Business Excellence Awards Cogeco Cable, Windsor, Canada Tri-Country Idol Cogeco Cable, Chatham, Canada Viva Domenica TeleLatino Network North York, Canada AUDIO The One Just Another Broken Heart Con Te Partiro Power of Love Your Will LYRICS Just Another Broken Heart Your Will VIDEO MY SAVING GRACE PROMOTIONAL DVD * Please note this is a full video so it may take a while to load

4 PHOTO GALLERY PREV NEXT The One Recording Session, Nashville, TN New Day Morning Show, London, Canada PRESS REVIEWS Maria Connel records in Nashville Casino Chronicle Connel Takes Giant Step Connel Hits #1 Music For The Soul

5 HERE'S WHAT EUROPEAN DJ'S HAVE TO SAY ABOUT MARIA "Don't stop this voice and music - great audience response." Carinzia Radio, Austria & Italy "Maria deserves to be at the top - love her enjoyable music." Birch Radio, England "We are solidly behind this new talent - strong entry album." Beiaard Radio, Belgium "Good debut for this young lady - lots of talent here." Nieuwegein Radio, Netherlands "This album is super and beautiful - good airplay for many songs." Frequence Mutine 103.8, France SET LIST Depending on the type of venue, size of engagement and group requested to play the gig ie. Single, duo, 6pc. Band, a variety set list will be presented. Maria s repertoire includes all genres pop, rock, country, motown, traditional Italian favourites, and easy-listening dinner music. Playlist includes cover tunes from such artists as; Sheryl Crow, Celine Dion, Jewel, Abba, Linda Ronstadt, Barbra Streisand, Shania Twain, Whitney Houston, Leann Rimes, Toni Braxton, Pink, Diana Ross, Melissa Etheridge, Cher, Laura Pausini, Giorgia and many, many more. Maria Connel prides herself on customizing her show to your entertainment needs! BASIC REQUIREMENTS Once again, depending on the location, size and nature of the venue, most gigs within reasonable driving distance, Maria s group will be responsible for bringing the entire PA, including lights, sound gear, etc. All other gigs will be negotiated as to what gear requirements will be rented by the employer, at which point, Maria s band will provide their own guitars, keys, drum kit (PA and lights to be supplied by employer).