Christy Jefferson

Artist Information

Biography

For the past 9 years, singer & songwriter Christy Jefferson has made her living as a full time performer & recording artist domestically and abroad, with 8 self released CDs to her credit.  

Christy hails from Philadelphia, PA (USA), and tours the east coast of the US regularly at colleges, festivals, arenas, reputed listening rooms, and house concerts. Earlier this year, Christy enjoyed a very successful tour to the Falklands Islands, and is headed to England in April for a performance at the Dale Road Music Club.  

“I’m performing the same day as the royal wedding, so it will be a very nice relaxed after-party atmosphere where everyone will be able to kick back with a warming beverage and savor the residual smiles that we’ll all be wearing from the events of a beautiful day!”

Jefferson is currently promoting her most recent release, “Spring”.  It is part of a very unique recording project that she has embarked on this year; on the first day of each season, Christy is releasing a new EP as a FREE Digital Download from her web site: www.christyjefferson.com  “Spring” is the first of four installments and will be up until June 21st, which is when “Summer” will take it’s place.  

“As someone who is tremendously influenced and inspired by the seasons and cycles of nature, I'm very excited about rehashing some of my older material, exploring some cover songs, and recording some brand new original music -- all in alignment with the energy and feel of each season,” said Christy.

Christy has her BA in Vocal Performance and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kutztown University.  She has opened for national acts including Kansas, performed for live audiences of 10,000 people, sang her way out of a speeding ticket, been on TV & radio (including Pandora) in the US and abroad, won international song competitions, worked with well known producers (whose credits include John Lennon, U2, Stevie Nix, Tom Petty, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, etc.), and has had notable names perform on her recordings, including Blue Oyster Cult’s Buck Dharma.  

To listen to Christy’s music, please visit www.myspace.com/christyjefferson
To download Christy’s new EP “Spring”, please visit: www.christyjefferson.com
(As Christy’s official site is currently under construction, for gigs and other information, please visit:  http://www.christyjefferson.com/__retired/index.html

In addition to performing, writing, and recording, Christy teaches private vocal instruction, songwriting, and music career mentorship; for more information, please contact christyj@me.com .  Currently, Christy is signed with College Booking Agency: Neon Entertainment (716-836-6366). All other booking and / or press inquiries: christyj@me.com

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“It’s no wonder Christy Jefferson was able to sing her way out of a speeding ticket!”
THE MORNING CALL, Allentown, PA newspaper

"I can't imagine Christy not topping the charts someday."
Gene Foley, Foley Entertainment 

“… a lovely voice and a wonderful sense of melody....”
Dar Williams, singer / songwriter 

“Jefferson’s style is...colored with a touch of art-rock that brings to mind a more accessible Jane Siberry or Kate Bush.”
THE MORNING CALL, Allentown, PA newspaper

“…love her music….one of the finest new voices....”
WESS DJ: East Stroudsburg University Radio

"...Jefferson, whose soaring, expressive voice can sidle from smoky sultriness to ethereal dreaminess... a gamin confidently plying her charms one minute, an uncertain, tortured would-be lover the next.”
THE INTELLIGENCER, Philadelphia, PA newspaper

Instrumentation

Currently, most of Christy's shows are solo performances:

Christy Jefferson : Lead Vox, Guitar, Piano

Christy does also performs in duo, trio, and full band format as 'Christy Jefferson & Vogon Poetry':

Drums / Percussion: Mel Rake
Bass Guitar: Adam Clymer
Electric Guitar: Adam Gojanovich

Discography

7. 2009 Release: "Agree to Disagree" (Rock Album co-produced by Shelly Yakus & Ted Richardson)

6. 2008 Release: "Merry Christmas, With Love"

5. 2007 Release: 'Living Curiously'
(Christy's Sophmore full-production studio album.)

4. 2006 Release: 'When Kisses Take Prisoners' (Christy's Freshman full-production studio album.)

3. 2005 Release: 'Live in Philly' (Recorded live at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, PA; Songs being played on WVIA, WDIY, WESS, WXLV, WLRV)

2. 2002 Free-Bee EP recorded for WVIA's Homegrown Music series produced by George Graham and given away for free with permission from WVIA.

1. 2002 EP: 'Perspectives, Confessions, and Amendments' (An acoustic studio release; Christy singing with only piano or guitar backing.)

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Christy Jefferson - Neon Entertainment
• YouTube

Audio

• Pieces
  Listen  
• Sunshine
  Listen  
• Wham Dunk Slip Bam
  Listen  
• Love Song for the Human Race
  Listen  
• Lost All Sweetness
  Listen  
• Red Rubber Ball
  Listen  
• Meghan's Pet Bee
  Listen  
• Comin Round
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Pieces
• Wham Dunk Slip Bam
• Love Song for the Human Race
• Lost All Sweetness
• Meghan's Pet Bee
• Desert Sky
• Comin’ Round

Video

Christy Jefferson Showcase video 2010 (1)

Photo Gallery

Press

• CD Review: Agree to Disagree [+ Show ]
  

  Christy's skillful orchestration is ever present in her 6th album Agree to Disagree. She has a wonde...Christy's skillful orchestration is ever present in her 6th album Agree to Disagree. She has a wonderful voice with which she paints a picture to put you in the world that she wants you to be in be it happy sad or indifferent. It is only a matter of time before she fully breaks out in earnest, hop on now.

• CD Baby's Review: Agree to Disagree [+ Show ]
  

  Jefferson, a singer-songwriter who's been at it for close to a decade now, is showing no signs of sl...Jefferson, a singer-songwriter who's been at it for close to a decade now, is showing no signs of slowing down. This is her seventh album, and it's filled with focused, sometimes poppily-aggressive rock that takes the best parts of 90's mainstream pop/rock and updates it for the 2000's. The thick, anticipatory bassline that opens this LP's first track, "Pieces," is both growling and melodic, a lot like Jefferson herself. "Desert Sky" uses a swiftly-executed tempo change to bring the already rousing track to a certifiably huge close, and it makes a great lead-in for the genuinely touching (and supremely catchy) guitar-scratch of "Love Song for the Human Race." "Real" and "How Does the Story End" are both riff-driven propulsive rockers that clock in at under three minutes, but have no trouble getting their point across. On the album's closer, "Sunshine," Jefferson starts gently, and then builds to a fast-paced close that wraps things up in a way that you might not see coming. But considering the twists and turns that preceded it, it fits in perfectly. This is a woman who knows how to craft a song, and here she puts together eleven ones definitely worth listening to.

• Christy Jefferson Powers on from Folk to Rock [+ Show ]
  

  Dave Howell Special to The Morning Call. Christy Jefferson "Agree to Disagree" 2009 Christy Je...Dave Howell Special to The Morning Call.
  
  Christy Jefferson "Agree to Disagree" 2009
  
  Christy Jefferson will surprise fans with this CD, as she changes from folk rock and singer/songwriter fare to out-and-out rock. It is pop enough to be listenable, but powerful enough to have feeling. Her voice is stronger as she fronts er band, Vogon Poetry, and her songwriting seems to have more of an edge.
  
  "Naughty Girl" features the lines "Who's your favorite naughty girl? Sweet as a lie, you got me crawlin' on the floor." A song Madonna would kill for.
  
  The opening track starts with a drum leading into a strong bass line, then Jefferson comes in singing "Little pieces/Little pieces are marchin' down the street…" It's indie heaven, and that straight-ahead vibe continues through all 11 tracks. Even the one cover, Paul Simon's "Red Rubber Ball," gets a harder arrangement than the pop original.
  
  The softer tunes, like "Love Song for the Human Race" and "Sunshine," have Jefferson singing while accompanied only by acoustic guitar on the first song and piano on the second. But both build to a strong finish as other instruments come in.
  
  There is great production from Cedar Street Studio in Philadelphia.
  
  The musicians are Jefferson on vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano; Adam Gojanovich, guitar; Adam Clymer, bass and piano; Mel Rake, drums, and producer (with Shelly Yakus) and engineer Ted Richardson on guitar. All take background vocals except Rake.

• Christy Jefferson sets her sights high. All she wants to do is change the world with her music. [+ Show ]
  

  By Craig Ostroff - Managing Editor Christy Jefferson sets her sights high. All she wants to do is...By Craig Ostroff - Managing Editor
  
  Christy Jefferson sets her sights high. All she wants to do is change the world with her music.
  
  If she has to do it one person at a time, the Doylestown singer/songwriter is just fine with that.
  "Increasingly I find that I'm very motivated artistically by what's going on in the world," she said. "There are a lot of themes that I would really like to present through my music.
  "I try to make a specific focus to not beat people over the head. I don't want to be standing on a soapbox and preaching. I'm just trying to subtly present ideas so that people might think about things."
  So don't expect to hear Jefferson pushing any political agendas in her music. She'd rather appeal to the audience's spiritual side.
  On her latest CD, "Living Curiously," which showcases Jefferson's ease in switching from one genre, instrument and style to another, the 2002 Kutztown University graduate relates how nature has a way of uniting us all in the bluesy, honky-tonky "Air I Breathe." In "Love Song for the Human Race," she celebrates her brother-in-law's safe return from active duty in Iraq, mourns those who did not return and calls on the listener to look inside and reexamine his or her beliefs.
  "That spiritual view - whatever you believe in - that's the filter you see the world through, and I'm no different," she said. "With 'Love Song for the Human Race,' I needed to get that out. 'This is a cry for a move to peace, calling for a revolution in all of us,' which I personally perceive is the only way to have a solution. I don't think that the world changes by huge things changing. I really do believe it has to begin at the grassroots level, with each individual searching for a truth within him- or herself, and realizing that when we choose not to make a decision about something, we have actually made a choice.
  "I'm not even trying to write more increasingly political material - that's where I am right now. It's what I care about. I don't want my children to inherit the world that we're headed to, so I'm going to try to do something about it."
  But that's not to say that Jefferson and her music are as serious as a heart attack. Far from it. "Living Curiously" features love songs, lighthearted romps such as the coffee-flavored true story "I Married My Barista," and an ode to her favorite dessert, "Ice Cream," a tune that's as cool and addictive as the treat over which she obsesses.
  And as a theme of her life, Jefferson, who often punctuates her sentences with outbursts of laughter, tends to look for the positives in situations to the extent that "some of my friends think it's sickening."
  She needs look no further than her own experiences to find examples. In 2004, before a show in New York City, her guitar and keyboard were stolen. She turned to her fans and asked for aid, and in three days she was able to replace her instruments. As a thank-you, she penned "Comin' Round," which won first place in the Musselman Triathlon CD Compilation Competition.
  "Maybe this is part of my spiritual perspective, but I really believe that you make your own luck," she said. "If someone has a personal belief that everything's going to be OK in the end, they're going to look for that to make it happen. Luck is being in the right place at the right time. I had seen this horrible nature of humanity right in my own life and then all of a sudden I was totally sent in the other direction by seeing this beautiful piece of human nature where all these people reached out to me. I wrote this song and it won an international song contest and got on a compilation and it became a theme song on a cable TV show in Reading. All these great things happened, but they wouldn't have happened if I did believe that something good can come from it and then sought out those experiences to have - I submitted it to the contest, and submitted it to the TV show. You create your own luck by being ready when the opportunity comes along."
  And when the opportunity came to perform at Doylestown's First Friday event May 2, Jefferson jumped at the chance. She's performed at First Fridays before, and this will be her third time at the May event, which benefits the Hepatitis B Foundation. Jefferson will hit the stage on Main Street in the parking lot by Madame Butterfly around 8 p.m., accompanied by her band, the Core Four.
  And when Jefferson gets the band together, expect a rockin' show.
  "This group of guys, who have been with me for a long time, is the group who are in the studio with me recording the next album, and the next album is going to have a lot more of a rock edge," Jefferson said. "At First Friday, we're still going to do 'Ice Cream,' 'Love Song,' 'Lost All Sweetness,' a bunch of tunes from 'Living Curiously,' as well as some songs off past albums, but also material for the new album."
  Though the new album is not yet completed, a high-energy single, "Wham Dunk Slip Bam," is available to listen to and for purchase on Jefferson's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/christyjefferson).
  "The song is a good reflection of where it's all headed," said Jefferson, who will also perform locally May 4 in a solo show at the Strawberry Festival in Peddler's Village from 2 to 4 p.m., and with the Core Four at Puck on May 31. "It's exciting for me. The style finds me to a certain extent. I get new ideas and I fall into things by accident. Working with the group of guys I'm working with, I think this is a natural evolution."
  And it just might help to change the world.
  
  Christy Jefferson
  and the Core Four
  will perform at the stage
  at Madam Butterfly
  Friday, May 2, 8 p.m.
  as part of
  Doylestown First Friday,
  benefiting Hepatitis B
  Foundation, 6 - 10 p.m.,
  rain or shine.
  Merchants open late.
  Info: http://firstfridaydoylestown.com.

• MUSIKFEST REVIEW: Christy Jefferson and The Core Four (By Beth Zuber) [+ Show ]
  

  Even the sun was smiling at their performance yesterday. A crowd usually tries to avoid the typ...
  Even the sun was smiling at their performance yesterday.
  
  A crowd usually tries to avoid the typically annoying sound check before a gig. The tapping of the microphones and the ridiculous utterings of the sound crew are more than one can take at times. But, not in the case of the Christy Jefferson and the Core Four warm up Monday afternoon at Liederplatz. Christy belted out a verse and chorus of Joni Mitchell's hit "Both Sides Now," put the crowd already seated in awe and drew many passers-by to stay for the entire set.
  
  The fresh set of songs, ranging from the Bowie-esque opener to a silly song about coffee addiction, kept the audience entranced with Christy's superb voice and the Core Four's funky, folksy and pop infused rhythms. No song in their repertoire sounded the same based on the diverse instruments played and the true talent of the performers.
  
  The Core Four (more than four performers--the audience was shrewdly asked not to question the choice of name) was comprised of artists playing the saxophone, electric guitar, bass guitar, cello, drums and various percussion instruments. Really interesting combos considering you don't usually see a cello thrown in the mix with a saxophone or a jambe drum. Somehow these different instruments created a cool sound that had the Liederplatz crowd tapping their feet, clapping their hands and swaying in their seats.
  
  Christy led the band in song and changed instruments, from piano, acoustic guitar and percussion, frequently throughout the set. On the song "Catty" her slow, melodic cabaret-style piano intro went in to overdrive when the Core Four turned up the heat and sent the song in to full swing with a big band style beat. Christy's sultry voice, coupled with the piano, evoked smooth rhythms and when enhanced by the band, rivaled any rock opera. Consistently changing their musical stylings throughout the course of the show the sounds of a Caribbean island filled the air in a song Christy wrote called "Little Kiss." Sun broke through the cloudy sky and Christy exclaimed, "Look at that! The sun came out for this song!"
  
  Looking out at the smiling faces of the enthusiastic crowd at this show intermingled with Christy's enchanting vocals and the Core Four's passionate, gifted musical abilities you would have thought the sun was shining the entire afternoon at Musikfest.

• Christy Jefferson, Dining Hall Superstar (by Krissy Scatton) [+ Show ]
  

  "...Jefferson, a folk-pop singer whose whispery soprano voice and piano stylings are reminiscent of ..."...Jefferson, a folk-pop singer whose whispery soprano voice and piano stylings are reminiscent of Tori Amos and Dar Williams, performed a two-hour set that included tracks off her two albums, Live from Philly and a self-titled release, as well as covers of such off-beat classics as 'Come On, Eileen.' ....She put on a solid show.... The Coopersburg, Pa. native deftly switched between styles and instruments, from bluesy folk-rock guitar to delicate pop piano ballads, and even threw in some cabaret-esque music, just for fun.
  
  'I like her style,' said Nick Forte, a freshman Music Education major who stopped to listen while leaving the Galleria. 'She has good stage presence....' Jefferson, who said she has been singing her whole life, performed as if she was playing to a sold-out audience-something she may soon have to get used to….
  
  Among those who were enjoying the music with their meal was Ryan Farrell, a sophomore Business major. 'She's one of the better people up there,' said Farrell. Sam Skiles, a sophomore Art Education major agreed, saying, 'She's got a great voice....' Ultimately, Jefferson has big plans that will take her far away from KU's South Dining Hall…. For Christy Jefferson, her talent and style make boundaries ephemeral and possibilities unlimited. Today, the South Dining Hall. Tomorrow, the world?"
  

• Get Into The Act (by Tony Sienzant) [+ Show ]
  

  “With a hauntingly sweet vocal range that spans octaves, long, rusty-blond hair and heartfelt tunes ...“With a hauntingly sweet vocal range that spans octaves, long, rusty-blond hair and heartfelt tunes performed on piano or acoustic guitar, ...Christy Jefferson may be the next generation’s answer to Joni Mitchell. ...Extensive journeying brings a true cosmopolitan flavor to her compositions, which demonstrate a lyrical maturity. Her mellow songs may be infectious and easy on the ear, but their intellectual content give sophisticated urbane listeners something meaty.
  
  Her prior experience ...collaborating with notable musicians (Scott Simon from Our Daughter’s Wedding, which toured with U2; Blue Oyster Cult’s lead guitarist Buck Dharma) give her an edge over the other solo acts…. ‘I’m just living and breathing music,’ she beams.”
  

• Album Review (by Rosemary Pratka) [+ Show ]
  

  “….Jefferson’s style is lush yet folksy, colored with a touch of art-rock that brings to mind a more...“….Jefferson’s style is lush yet folksy, colored with a touch of art-rock that brings to mind a more accessible Jane Siberry or Kate Bush. Her songs are whimsical, sweet pop.... “Crossing Kisses,” for example, is about falling in love at a wine tasting. She sounds blissful as she sings, “rows and rows of grapes for wines turn kisses into love.” References to kisses abound, including in the disc’s title and on the opener, “Little Kiss.” ...Besides the sweetness of her voice, Jefferson’s piano playing, particularly on “Jonathan Waiting,” is compelling and pleasing to hear.
  
  The prize-winning “Comin’ Round” also is included on “Prisoners,” and the uplifting song seems to mirror Jefferson’s musical hopes as she sings: ‘I’m ready now for my turn to shine.’”
  

• Unfailing Optimism (a Feature by Naila Francis) [+ Show ]
  

  "...The album (When Kisses Take Prisoners) is a lush pop-rock collection, with Jefferson, whose soar..."...The album (When Kisses Take Prisoners) is a lush pop-rock collection, with Jefferson, whose soaring, expressive voice sidles from smoky sultriness to ethereal dreaminess, as a chameleonic songstress — a gamin confidently plying her charms one minute, an uncertain, tortured would-be lover the next.”
  

• Harmonious Kisses (by Melissa Yerkov) [+ Show ]
  

  "Doylestown resident Christy Jefferson is proud to release her third album entitled When Kisses Ta...
  "Doylestown resident Christy Jefferson is proud to release her third album entitled When Kisses Take Prisoners. She has embraced the cutthroat perceptions fo the business and overcame obstacles such as nearly fatal car accidents, having all her equipment stolen and studio shut-downs. Yet, every time Jefferson was knocked down, she bounced back stronger, with a smile on her face and guitar in her hands. Jefferson... describes her music as ‘folk rock with a little bit of cabaret. And when playing with the band, ‘we adapt an edge of blues.’….
  
  Understanding this is an extremely difficult industry to enter, Jefferson gave herself a six-month deadline after graduation. This time was allotted to generate enough money for living expenses as well as business expenditures. Determined and excited, Jefferson sent out over 100 press kits in six months, trying to maintain a positive outlook. ‘I was very persistent with my pursuit,’ said Jefferson. ‘You have to get through the no’s to get to the yes.’ Continuously sending out media information, networking and performing as often as possible, Jefferson’s embracing sounds quickly generated a loyal fan base.
  
  ‘I love performing live because I am totally in the soul of the song and the audience is right there with me,’ said Jefferson. ‘There’s an energy exchange. It’s a shared experience.’ These feelings are shared by her fans, who continue to return the love and loyalty Jefferson exhibits. She attributes this support to helping her overcome one of the hardest experiences of her career. In February 2004, Jefferson ventured to the CBGB Club in NYC for a live performance. Before the show...her keyboard and guitar were stolen. Confused and devastated by the situation….She did not have the money to replace the items and questioned the troubling incident as a sign that she was not meant to play music.
  
  After Jefferson spent days questioning her career, a good friend convinced her to write an email to everyone on her mailing list, explaining the situation and asking for help. The response was incredible. Countless emails were returned, sharing similar stories, offering help and even donating money, and within three days, Jefferson was able to replace all of the stolen equipment. ‘It really helped the healing process to know I wasn’t alone and these types of things happen all the time,’ said Jefferson. ‘... My fans were able to take something ugly and make it one of the most beautiful things that has ever happened to me.’ Jefferson soon wrote a song, ‘Comin’ Round,’ about the experience, which later won first place in the Musselman Triathlon CD Compilation Competition — a contest open to more than 30,000 contestants.
  
  ... Jefferson strives to take situations such as this and format them into her songs. Other lyrics can be attributed to her crazy imagination and looking deeper into everyday situations. One perfect example of Jefferson’s imaginative powers can be heard in ‘Speedy,’ a track from her Live in Philly album. The inspiration for ‘Speedy’ came from a friend with a pet fish. She had gotten two snails to eat the algae from the fishbowl and named one of them Speedy. After arriving home from work, Jefferson’s friend found Speedy on the floor half way between the fishbowl and the door. Looking further into the situation, Jefferson’s mind wandered — suicide or bravery? ‘You see, Speed's fishbowl was eye level to the window, where he had a beautiful view of the green trees and the blue skies of the world outside his fishbowl home,’ explained Jefferson. So her enticing question after evaluating Speedy’s death — would you risk your life for freedom? It takes a wild imagination and pure soul to be able to transform the death of a snail into a mind exploration evaluating freedom. And this is just on example of Jefferson’s creativity. Speedy can be found on Jefferson’s Live in Philly, which is a recording of her performance at the Tin Angel in December 2004. Although the CD release for Live in Philly was an overwhelming success, while driving to the CD release, a run-in with an 18-wheeler truck on the turnpike nearly took the life of the singer/songwriter.
  
  ‘I still can’t believe I walked out of it alive,’ said Jefferson. ‘I saw the whole thing in slow motion. An eighteen-wheeler hit a car, sending it three lanes over directly into me. I hit my brakes and the car slammed into me on the driver’s side door. There was heavy traffic at the time. I really thought I was going to die.’ Miraculously, Jefferson suffered only minor injuries and shockingly still made it to her performance. Her arrival may have been late, but the near-death experience and adrenaline rush of surviving illuminated an indescribably energy to the show. Jefferson likes to view all these life experiences as signs; There are reasons behind there encounters, and she strives to develop a comprehension for their purpose.
  
  ... Jefferson is ecstatic that her three-year project (the new album) is finally perfectly completed. With studios being shut down, recorded tapes getting eaten and time running out, the project was arduous, but according to Jefferson, it was completely worth every minute. ‘I have grown tremendously throughout the album,’ said Jefferson. ‘I learned to overcome weaknesses and maximize strengths.’ The overall theme of Jefferson’s newest release is ‘Kisses,’ which can be widely attributed to her love for a painting composed by artist Gustav Klimt entitled, The Kiss. ‘It is my favorite painting and the theme unifies the whole album,’ said Jefferson. ‘Kisses are poetic, and the ones mentioned in my songs symbolize different things.’
  
  Overcoming many tribulations that would discourage most musicians, Jefferson has become stronger and enlightened by the bumps in her road. With the motivations of spreading her beloved sound, she has continued to persevere with a determination to spread entertainment and guidance. ‘Music is a multidimensional experience for me,’ said Jefferson. ‘I want my music to help make people’s lives more beautiful and spread understanding.’”
  

• Christy Jefferson’s Musical Marathon Apexes in the Midst of the Musselman Triathlon [+ Show ]
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Christy Jefferson / William Brehm PO Box 995 Doylestown, PA 18...FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
  Contact:
  Christy Jefferson / William Brehm
  PO Box 995
  Doylestown, PA 18901
  610.462.2813
  www.christyjefferson.com
  music@christyjefferson.com
  
  Christy Jefferson’s Musical Marathon Apexes in the Midst of the Musselman Triathlon
  
  Philadelphia, PA – July 7 -- A “Musical Marathon” of sorts will apex in the midst of the Musselman Triathlon in Geneva, NY on Sunday, July 17th. From 10:30 – 11:30 am on the Miracle Mile Stage in Seneca Lake State Park, singer/songwriter Christy Jefferson with duo partner Jolene will be performing a winning song “Comin’ Round” for triathletes. Performing the song is a victory for Christy, and given the song’s origin and message of determination, it could not be more fitting for the occasion.
  
  Some months back, Musselman Triathlon coordinators teamed-up with Sonicbids – an online company whose goal is to connect people who make music with those who promote it – to present a once in a life time opportunity to the Sonicbids roster of over 30,000 musical acts. The opportunity: to have one of 15 song slots on the first ever Musselman Triathlon compilation CD, and one of 4 performance slots at the Triathlon itself. From the submissions, 25 musical acts were selected to become a part of an internet voting contest that would determine participation. Fans of all 25 musical acts combated fiercely – everyone able to cast one online vote daily. Some who started off at the top of the voting pole gradually fell during the course of the 2 and a half week voting marathon; but not Christy Jefferson, who – powered her fans – steadily took the lead and finished first at the end.
  
  “I have the most loyal fan base anyone could ever ask for... a truly supportive and loving group of family, friends, fellow musicians, and fans,” says Christy. “They’ve carried me on their sholders before, and that is actually how ‘Comin’ Round’ came to be.” In February, 2004, Christy’s musical instruments and other equipment were stolen from her car just prior to a scheduled performance at the famous CBGB’s 313 Gallery in New York City. Christy emailed her fans to share the crushing news and uncertainty of her future doing music without the tools of her trade, and without the means to replace them. Her fans responded immediately in overwhelming volume with words of strength and generous contributions to an instrument fund. Within 3 days, Christy was able to replace all of her equipment and instruments, and went on performing without skipping a beat. “It was to thank all those who helped me through that difficult time, and to celebrate a spirit of determination – that something good can come from every situation – that I wrote ‘Comin’ Round,’ the song that ended up being the top voted song.” With lyrics like “I’ve got my heart set, feet wet. Nothin’s getting in my way. I’m ready now for my turn to shine. I feel it Comin’ round. I know I’m getting stronger,” it is clear that in both the circumstances behind the song and the tune itself, it is a very appropriate number one choice.
  
  Her thoughts on performing at the Triathlon? “It will be a full circle moment,” says Christy. “This song was written because there was a time when I didn’t think I had it in me to chase my dream anymore, and I considered giving up. But a lot of people reached out to me and their support left me more determined than ever. On the 17th, it’s my turn to support and strengthen the determination of people who are on the brink of accomplishing something great, and maybe when they hear ‘Comin’ Round’ as they pass by, they’ll feel a little extra fire under their feet that will help them get to the finish line.”
  
  For information: www.christyjefferson.com
  For press photos: www.sonicbids.com/christyjefferson or music@christyjefferson.com
  For bookings or interviews: music@christyjefferson.com or call: 610.462.2813
  

• Quirky And Eclectic Christy Jefferson Lives For The Music [+ Show ]
  

  A deceased snail, a talking fly in a cow pasture, an addiction to coffee - all of these random thoug...A deceased snail, a talking fly in a cow pasture, an addiction to coffee - all of these random thoughts may sound like a lot of nonsense to you but not to Christy Jefferson. It's the quirky and fun things in life that inspire this eclectic singer, songwriter and musician.
  
  Musically, artists such as Tori Amos, Counting Crows, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel and Ben Folds are her influences. But, in general, Christy's music is impacted by her wild imagination and her love of whimsy. Her capricious compositions show off the lighter side of life and incorporate Christy's own experiences with a bit of embellishment.
  
  "When I compose I try to paint different pictures, " said Christy. "I like to create a mood and an environment in my songs that people can relate to."
  
  Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Christy knew music was her calling from a very young age. She played outside a lot and remembers singing in the woods near her house all the time. Throughout her elementary and high school years, she sang in bands and dabbled in composing tunes, but the real turning point of her life with music came when she was in France with her sister.
  
  One night she and her sister were just hanging out in their room. Her sister was writing a poem and Christy decided to borrow a guitar from one of the French kids they were traveling with at the time. She wrote music to go along with her sister's lyrics and played it for her. After Christy was done playing her sister bolted out of the room. She came back a few minutes later with 20 people. Christy sang and played them her song. Her first audience was captivated by her performance.
  
  "This was a pivotal event in my life, " said Christy. "As I was playing for these people everything kind of came to the surface from my subconscious. I knew this was meant to be."
  
  Christy's sophomore album, following her 2002 solo release Perspectives, Confessions and Amendments, was a self-described "spur of the moment kinda thing." Her newest release, Live in Philly, all fell in to place during a routine post-performance sound check at Philadelphia's Tin Angel last December. Upon arriving to her gig Christy and her partner in crime Jolene set up for their performance. Christy, who plays the guitar and piano, is frequently seen performing with Jolene, who backs her up on harmony, harmonica and percussion. They asked the sound technician to record a bit of their warm up. He played it back, it sounded great, and Christy asked him to record the entire show. From here, Live in Philly was born. "I am so thrilled with the way this CD turned out. It has such great energy," said Christy.
  
  by Beth Zuber
  

• For Christy Jefferson, ‘Live in Philly' a happy accident [+ Show ]
  

  The local singer's new CD just sort of happened one night when she and her cohort, Jolene, were perf...The local singer's new CD just sort of happened one night when she and her cohort, Jolene, were performing at the Tin Angel.
  
  By Jim Speese
  Reading Eagle Correspondent
  (April 2005)
  
  The talented singer/songwriter Christy Jefferson will be celebrating the release of her new CD, “Live in Philly,” Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. when she and Jolene share the stage at Max Crema's Espresso & Coffee Bar, 3130 Pricetown Road, Alsace Township.
  
  For Jefferson, the release is something of a, well, release.
  
  She'd been working on a new album (including pre-production and studio work) for the past couple of years when she and Jolene prepared to play a show in December at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia. During the sound check, as she switched from guitar to piano, she heard herself being played back to her; the sound man had been recording the sound check. And it actually sounded pretty good.
  
  “So I asked him if he'd record the entire show,” Jefferson said. “It was great, totally off the cuff, no pressure and nothing riding on it. But it worked. It captures the vibe of the live energy without sacrificing the (audio) quality.”
  
  And that live energy?
  
  Jefferson laughed.
  
  “Funny, quirky songs and goofy interactions with the audience,” she explained. “It's that whole back-and-forth energy with the audience that makes the songs sparkle.”
  
  Along those lines, the live album features tunes that won't make the final cut of the studio CD not because they're not good enough, but because of the sort of songs they are. Jefferson uses the song “Speedy” as an example: Before she plays the song, she tells the story of where it came from, allowing the audience (and, in the case of the CD, the listener) to get a feel for the song from the inside. This technique works quite well on a live CD, but isn't instantly translatable to the studio.
  
  The song “Speedy,” incidentally, is the story of a snail, who escaped from a friend's fish bowl but never quite made it to the front door.
  
  So, the new CD is exactly the opposite of a meticulously planned affair.
  
  “It couldn't have been better if I'd planned it,” Jefferson said. “It just fell into my lap.”
  
  Jefferson was a musical child.
  
  “I was always drawn to music, always had a connection to music,” she said. “I grew up in a rural area, and I used to be this little kid running around the trees pretending to be a Disney damsel, making up songs as I ran.”
  
  In school, Jefferson sang in choirs, performed in plays and musicals, and retained that connection.
  
  Then came a pivotal moment; in high school, she was given the opportunity to visit France with her sister for a summer to take a class. One night, as most of the other students slept, Jefferson was playing a borrowed guitar. She incorporated a “touching” poem her sister had written, and cobbled together a song.
  
  “I was so excited,” she said. “I went across the hall and woke up my sister and played it for her. She was thrilled, and she went and got a handful of friends to listen to it. So, now I'm nervous playing for these people, but I suck it up and play the song, looking down at the ground the whole time. When I finished, I looked up and the room was full of people, and people were in the hallway listening. And they clapped. It was magical.”
  
  Jefferson then went to college, eventually making the pivotal decision to change to a major in music. She also had help along the way in the form of Scott Simon (of Our Daughter's Wedding), who acted as a mentor. All of this helped her prepare for making music in the real world.
  
  Which is what she does now.
  
  Jefferson claims many influences, from Ben Folds to Tori Amos to Billy Joel, but for inspiration she looks to Adam Duritz of Counting Crows.
  
  “He's just always in the moment,” she said of his live shows.
  
  As far as her sound?
  
  “A combination of folk and rock,” she allowed, “with a little bit of cabaret and a lot of quirk.”
  
  In fact, of the album “Live in Philly,” Jefferson said, “It's a collection of my most quirky songs.”
  
  For more information on Christy Jefferson, check out her Web site at www.christyjefferson.com.

Setlist

Christy does as many as 3 (45 minute) sets at a performance. Mostly originals, but some covers include 'Ring of Fire,' 'Folsome Prison Blues,' 'Come On Eileen,' 'Red Bubber Ball,' 'Plush,' and 'Both Sides Now.'

Christy Jefferson & Vogon Poetry typically play two 50 minute sets with a 15-20 minute break in between.

- Set 1

Love Song for Human Race
Desert Sky
Satin Shame
Buffet
Air I Breathe
Meghan’s Pet Bee
Wham Dunk
Bowtie
Natural
Catty
Comin’ Round
Java Jacket
Little Kiss


- Set 2

Love Circus
Come With Me
Pictures Of Faces
Sunshine
Chase Me
Sweetness
Crossing Kisses
Party Play
Skinny Dip

Basic Requirements

Calendar