Glen Roethel

Artist Information

Biography

Acoustic guitarist/vocalist/songwriter/entertainer Glen Roethel — spontaneous, exciting and energetic, "like 1000 tiny fun bombs going off all at once!"—is a rare performer often described as “sweet,” “motivating," “energizing...” and he is full of surprises!

“Glen has that gift which brings out a spark in people.” - Amy Tuttle, Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Folk Music Society of Huntington, NY

You may know his work as founder, primary songwriter, arranger, producer, recording engineer, lead guitarist and lead vocalist of Gathering Time. You may have sung along with his songs at a Folk Alliance Formal- or Tricentric juried showcase; maybe you’ve anticipated his guitar solos in “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” or thrilled when he delivered the high note at “It’s my HEART that’s a-suffering...”? Maybe you are one of the DJs who played Glen’s songs from the Top-10 CD, Red Apples And Gold — enough to lift it proudly to the #5 slot in September of 2012 and #9 in October on the Folk-DJ Chart? (“Red Apples And Gold” [no. 3 in Oct 2012, Folk-DJ Chart], “Sweet Cider,” “Johnny Appleseed,” “Gold,” “Don’t Fall Too Far,” “The Family Tree,” “Hard Luck,” “Courting,” “Going In” — all written, arranged and produced by Glen — or his stellar arrangement of “Why We Stay” [by Ken Veltz], a gorgeous song with a soaring harmony vocal arrangement).

But did you know...
Glen also plays guitar and sings on “Colors of the Sun: Penny Nichols sings the early songs of Jackson Browne” [Folk DJs ranked the CD top folk album of 2012, the song “These Days” as one of the top folk recordings of 2012; John Platt (WFUV, NY) ranked it #2 Top 10 Album of 2012] — Glen also co-created the CD packaging with Penny; Glen sings on (and designed the cover art for) Mara Levine’s #1 Folk-DJ CD, Jewels and Harmony (2012); in the past 10 months Glen has appeared live in the WFUV studio four times: with his former trio, Gathering Time; with Penny Nichols; with Marci Geller; and with Mara Levine. He has also appeared live at the Living Room NYC in John Platt’s “On Your Radar” series numerous times. Glen occasionally tours with Sloan Wainwright, as well.

Glen's songs and music have been heard on nationally syndicated commercial radio, college and international radio, as well as on TV. He has performed his energizing music at events across the U.S. and folks here, in Europe, in China and Japan have all enjoyed his engaging performances which are often commissioned for retreats, benefits, concerts and conferences.

Glen's credits include more than 100 diverse copyrights, scores of co-writes and production on 17+ records (including 3 self-produced, indy, full-length CDs), and background music for TV. His live shows delight audiences with acoustic guitar wizardry, stellar vocals and an electrifying repartee.

“Glen's music put me in the mood..in a space...before he even started singing...” - Jeffrey Gaines

“A great voice!” - John Platt, WFUV-NY

Glen's debut CD, From Beginning to End hit the streets independently in 2004 on Inspireline Records. In late 2008 he released his sophomore solo effort, Smaller Things, also on Inspireline including "Pumpkin Street" and "One Word"- two tracks which had already earned Glen a slot as one of eight finalists in the Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival (SMAF) Songwriter Contest - as well as "People of the Earth," an inspired call-and-response song which was just published in a new songbook by the Association of Unity Churches International and is sung in congregations across the nation. Also in November 2008, Glen released Songs of Hope and Freedom, a debut CD with Gathering Time, his folk-rock harmony trio with a sound often likened to "Peter, Paul and Mary meets CSN," and the trio will release their next CD, Red Apples & Gold, in early 2012, with singles already enjoying radio support.

Instrumentation

Glen Roethel - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Folk-rock harmony trio, Gathering Time also available.

Discography

2012: Gathering Time CD, *Red Apples And Gold* on INSPIRELINE/TrebleG
~ Did very well in FOLK-DJ Charts, 2012.

2012: mara Levine CD ~ #1 in FOLK-DJ Charts

2011: *#32 Song Of 2011* in FOLK-DJ Charts, "Leaves That Are Green" by Mara Levine with Gathering Time

2010/2011: Singles ~ Sweet Cider (by Glen Roethel), Red Apples And Gold,
Moonlight Row (by Dwayne Michael Tucker), If It Would Only Rain (by Hillary Foxsong), Oh Shenandoah (trad. arr by Stuart Markus), It's Just So (Stuart Markus), Sincerely Yours (Hillary Foxsong)

2008: Vocals and guitars on The 8 Voyages Of Nep (Penny Nichols)

2008: Full-length CD with Gathering Time, Songs of Hope and Freedom

2008: second solo release, Smaller Things, on Inspireline.

2008 (April): EP/single with Gathering Time ~ "Train Coming," "Remember Me," "Songs of Hope and Freedom"

2007: (December) With his new folk trio, Gathering Time, released energetic new cover of "Light One Candle," the holiday classic by Peter, Paul & Mary. Folk DJ support is extraordinary! In addition, Glen's re-design of the classic "The Little Drummer Boy" which he retitled "The Groovy Little Drummer Boy" is added in Japan at Yellow Beat Music Radio for two weeks in December

2006 (December 18. 2006 - February 15, 2007): Single "Namaste'" featured as part of multi-media exhibit, "Children Speak: Tsunami," by Arlene Atherton at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, College Station, Texas. In January of 2007, the exhibit DVD will be distributed within a book of the artist's photographs and photographic journey in the South Pacific.

2006: WFUV, New York's flagship public radio station adds "Enlightened" and "The Wind" from debut CD.

2005: International radio picks up multiple tracks from debut release: "Bedtime Story," "Namaste,'" "Rainbow," "Daughter."

2004: 12-track debut solo CD, "From Beginning To End," released independently on Inspireline Records.

1995: Single from "ambition," "Smokin' My Head" used on nationally syndicated radio program, The Howard Stern Show as theme

1995 release: "ambition" with Gush on Indigo Records (still in college radio rotation in 2006)

1994: 7-song acoustic EP titled "Gone Fishing"

Instrumental track used on "Inside the NFL" broadcasts

Official Website

http://www.glenroethel.com

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Blue Canoe
  Listen  
• You
  Listen  
• Bedtime Story (acoustic)
  Listen  
• Pumpkin Street
  Listen  
• Something Good
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Blue Canoe
• You
• Bedtime Story
• Pumpkin Street
• The Truth About Tomorrow

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Testimonials [+ Show ]
  

  "Just GREAT..... Performances 'straight from the heart' ! ! !" - Jean Alain Roussel (Cat Stevens, Ce..."Just GREAT..... Performances 'straight from the heart' ! ! !" - Jean Alain Roussel (Cat Stevens, Celine Dion, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Thin Lizzy, 10cc, The Police)
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  "...sweet as sweet could be..plays lovely guitar and has the voice of an
  angel." - Sara Hickman
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  "...a great voice!" - John Platt, WFUV 90.7 FM, NY (City Folk, Sunday Morning)
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  "...like 10,000 tiny 'fun bombs' going off, all at once!" - Penny Nichols (Jackson Browne Band, Jimmy Buffet band)
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  "Monster musician!" - Kenny Edwards, Stone Poneys, Bryndle, Nina Gerber
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  "The world benefits from inspiration...but Glen already knows that!" - Suzzy Roche
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  "A great guitarist!" - Tom Prasada-Rao
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  "...warm and attractive (songs)..." - Bob Sherman, WFUV 90.7 FM, NY (Woody's Children)
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  "I LOVE his voice!" - Penny Nichols (solo artist and background vocalist for Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and many others!)
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  "...fill(s) his audiences with good vibes whenever he plays." - RocknRoots Radio (rocknroots.org)
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  "Glen, the 'Music Man!" - Al and Kathy Bain
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  "Fine lyrics and music. Great singing and production values. Refreshing! I'm listening to 'From Beginning to End' right now. Thanks for the good vibes, Glen."
  - Scott Johnson, Executive Director, Positive Music Association
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  "Glen has that gift which brings out a spark in people." - Amy Tuttle, Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Folk Music Society of Huntington
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  "Glen has the BEST Christmas song you have EVER heard!" - Ellie Greenwich
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  "You sound great!" - Billy Joel
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  [Review: "Recommended Dosage: Listen to CD repeatedly. Results: Ahhh" - by reviewer, F. Capossela]
  
  "Glen Roethel is a very dangerous man. He'll make you think about love again. You'll smile. You won't be able to help it. How do you get through your day? How do you feel when everything is out of your control? Are you even in control of anything? From Beginning to End is a musical Serenity Prayer. What's really important in life? This: The love of a little girl for her father. Together we all feed a single flame. Learn from everything, regret nothing. Go ahead, dream a little. This CD has it all: fantastic songs, great vocals, talented, real musicians and a huge dose of positivity. It's truly taken me to a beautiful place."
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  "We all could use a little inspiration these days, and Glen Roethel's debut CD provides just the right dose. If you'd like to feel more connected to the human experience, to improve your self-understanding and to feel the presence of an energy that will drive you toward the attainment of your life's goals, From Beginning to End is well worth listening to...over and over again."
  - Michael V. Miranda, Ph.D., Founder, Plan to Succeed, Inc.
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  "Glen san, your CD is very nice and I like it. Especially, the songs 'Bedtime Story,' 'Namaste' and 'Amanecer.' I listen to 'Bedtime Story' on my way home from work. It really helps me to relax after a rough day. I sometimes get stressed from mean customers, but when I hear your songs I become calm and can think about my future and what I have to do in order to accomplish my goal, which is to become an RN in the US. Therefore, I like your songs." - Yuko H.
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  "Glen's songs are like a warm blanket on a cool evening."
  - Susan B., CSW, Yoga Instructor
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  "...the perfect voice for songs of hope and healing!"
  - George L., songwriter/composer
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• Magazine Reviews [+ Show ]
  

  "...Glen writes from his heart. His uplifting songs offer encouragement and inspiration." "....an... "...Glen writes from his heart. His uplifting songs offer encouragement and inspiration." "....an excellent addition to the growing trend of positive, spiritually uplifting songwriting." - Creations Magazine
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  From Beginning to End - "Well produced and thoughtful both musically and lyrically, Glen Roethel offers a collection of songs with a ‘spiritual slant.’ Easy listening, but with updated song subjects touching upon reincarnation, the light within us all, diversity, enlightenment, and more. His lyrics (“a pair of hands is nothing special until they touch you” from Enlightened) and the especially beautiful Bedtime Story make for an excellent addition to the growing trend of positive, spiritually uplifting songwriting." - Mark Maxwell Abushady, New York City (for Creations)
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  June 24, 2005 - "Joe Jencks in Concert" (with Glen Roethel at the Santosha Center for the Arts in Amityville) - by Aliceann Donnelly for Greenlight Long Island Magazine
  
  "....Opening the evening with an all-too-brief set was Long Island native Glen Roethel. Mr. Roethel's allegorical and romantic lyrics combine with finely elegant guitar playing to sweet and soothing rhythmic effect. Catch him when you can..."
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• Newspaper Features [+ Show ]
  

  "Bridget Hughes memorialized in song tonight" - by Rich Bergeron [603-524-3800 ext.5932] ----------..."Bridget Hughes memorialized in song tonight" - by Rich Bergeron [603-524-3800 ext.5932]
  ------------------------------------------------------------------
  FRANKLIN - Singer and songwriter Glen Roethel from New York will perform a special song tonight at 7 p.m. on stage at the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse that focuses on the loss of Bridget Hughes.
  Roethel's song will benefit the church and Upstream, a Laconia-based coalition of more than 140 agencies, businesses and individuals. The charity, working closely with the United Way, has operated for more than 15 years with primary prevention programs and outreach efforts to strengthen family life in the Lakes Region.
  A friend had conveyed the news of Bridget's death to Roethel through an e-mail sent by a mother of one of Hughes' friends after the 14year-old lost her 18-month battle with cancer this past March.
  Roethel wrote the song "Alison's News," based on the e-mail and its touching message.
  When Roethel read the e-mail, "I found myself writing," he said. "This story had to be heard, and it had value and meaning."
  Roethel writes songs about aspects of daily life that "aren't being spoken about enough." He began the song about Hughes with a journal entry and then created the lyrics and the tune "almost instantly."
  He hopes his song about Bridget can help people.
  "It's about trying to find something good, some hope, out of something terrible," he said. He did not know Bridget personally, but since his own mother passed away three years ago, the e-mail describing Bridget's loss "touched on that nerve."
  Roethel's reasons for helping out Upstream go back to his childhood when he and his brothers were adopted. The family related program that connects people with service organizations is "very precious," he said.
  Tom Grogan, who helped found Upstream 15 years ago, and is a childhood friend of Roethel's, reported that Glen is going out on his own for the first time with his new solo album.
  "He has always written songs and music from the heart, very personal songs," said Grogan, "I've always known Glen has had a message to share that people would appreciate." ....

• Presenters & Promoters [+ Show ]
  

  "Get ready to be inspired with Glen’s positive energy and groovy acoustic stylings...a sound that ju..."Get ready to be inspired with Glen’s positive energy and groovy acoustic stylings...a sound that just puts a smile on your face." - Rob Dircks, AcousticLongIsland.com
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  "New Folk with a positive message... Glen personifies the idea of the modern social troubadour... appealing to one's higher angels through his personal and poignant music. Deeply committed to the healing power of music..." - Islip Arts Council "Summer Arts Pages"
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Setlist

Sets range from 30 minutes to 4 hours. I know, big range, but there's a lot of singing to be done! Always a rich blend of covers and a select originals. More covers if a party or sing-along erupts. Beatles jams and improv sessions frequently happen under certain circumstances.


Here's a recent set list from a 2-set solo performance:

THE TRUTH ABOUT TOMORROW
From Beginning To End
COUNTING SHEEP
I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash)
Rainbow
The Wind (Cat Stevens)
A Beautiful Place
One Word
THE LOVERS
The Water Is Wide (traditional)
SOMETHING GOOD
BLUE CANOE

He Made Her Smile
A Tale of Two Young Men
Kindling
VIRTUAL REALITY
ELEVATE ME
LIFE'S TOO SHORT
YOU
ROLLING
PUMPKIN STREET
ONE WORD
HUNGRY
Let It Be (cover - Beatles)
Wishes

Basic Requirements

Calendar