Beth Schafer

Artist Information

Biography

Give a listen, catch the vibe, feel the groove and leave smiling.

Even though Beth Schafer's career began in contemporary Jewish music where she enjoyed much success, the biggest lesson she learned occurred when she won the 2006 American Idol Underground Faith Based competition. What was the lesson? That universality is key. Beth's songs resonate with a broad audience and have won her fans of many backgrounds. An accomplished guitarist and writer, Beth is taking the country by storm with a band of seasoned pros and spreading a "feel good" that has no boundaries.

Her project, called, "Build That Bridge," united her with veteran rocker, Larry Hoppen of the band, Orleans (and the voice of the hit "Still the One") to wrote the title track. Their important message brought Beth to the stage to warm up a crowd of thousands to hear Senator Barack Obama at a Florida campaign event. Beth firmly believes that music can make things happen that can't happen comfortably around a conference table.

No longer bound to religious stages or audiences, Beth released "Raise It Up Bring It Down" an acoustic rock/spiritual album, in November, 2009. Almost immediately upon release, Beth's anthem "Prayer of the Workin' Man" placed in the Indie International Songwriting Contest. Now, in bringing her voice to the Indie stage she has found new fans who are finding both her secular and spiritual music a fresh and uplifting change in their music playlists.

Instrumentation

Beth Schafer, guitars, vocal, writer
John Marsden, keyboard, vocals
Bill "Giff" Gifford, bass, guitar, vocals
Johnny Demarkis, drums

Discography

2007- Positively Music Benefit Music Compilation CDs (1 track)
2007- Voices for Israel (commissioned to write anthem to raise money for victims of terror).
2007 -RUACH 5767 (featured artist, 1 track)
2005 - The Quest & the Question (14 track CD)
2003 - Love Your Neighbor (10 track CD)
2001 - A Way to Say Ah (11 track CD)
1999 - Lev B'Lev (10 track CD)
1997 - May the Words (10 track CD)
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2005 RUACH 5765 (featured artist, 1 track)
2003 RUACH 5763 (featured artist, 1 track)
2001 RUACH 5761 (featured artist, 1 track)
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2004 - The World is a Narrow Bridge (featured artist, 1 track)
2000 Celebrate Kids (featured artist, 1 track)
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2005 - Babapalooza (featured artist, 1 track)
2004 - Babapalooza (featured artist, 1 track)
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2001 - Soundswrite Sampler (featured artist, 1 track)
2003 - Soundswrite Sampler (featured artist, 1 track)

Official Website

http://www.bethschafer.com

Audio

• Raise It Up
  Listen  
• I Look Up
  Listen  
• Prayer of the Workin' Man
  Listen  
• Go
  Listen  
• Innocent Things
  Listen  
• End of Our Childhood
  Listen  
• Good Enough
  Listen  
• Night by Night
  Listen  
• Divine Spark
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Raise It Up
• Prayer of the Workin' Man
• Innocent Things
• Go
• I Look Up
• End of Our Childhood
• Good Enough
• Night by Night

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Review of "Raise It Up Bring It Down" [+ Show ]
  

  Monday Music Review I've been listening to Beth Schafer's newest CD Raise It Up Bring It Down ...Monday Music Review
  
  I've been listening to Beth Schafer's newest CD Raise It Up Bring It Down for about three weeks now. The holidays have delayed my review, but let me tell you, her sweet voice and uplifting lyrics made my holiday break such a blessing. She's been compared to Shawn Colvin, The Eagles, and Sheryl Crow. Her music is soulful, heartfelt, and absolutely believable. Beth's sound is only part of the package, though. Her music is interwoven with her Jewish faith, gently reaching out with a universal message to the spirit in us all. Every song on this CD is the warmth of love, brightness shining out to highlight the best parts of our humanity. It's truly PosiMusic at its finest.
  
  You can find sound clips of Raise It Up Bring It Down with individual songs or the entire CD available for purchase and download at Amazon and Beth Schafer's website.

• Eugene Foley [+ Show ]
  

  Beth Schafer successfully blends passionate vocals, intelligent lyrics and a positive message in her...Beth Schafer successfully blends passionate vocals, intelligent lyrics and a positive message in her music. She is an engaging singer/songwriter who is capable of expanding her musical range without ever losing sight of her acoustic roots.

• Review of Quest & the Question [+ Show ]
  

  Personal, revealing and unflinchingly at home within this style. Good for radio formats that play...Personal, revealing and unflinchingly at home within this style.
  
  Good for radio formats that play Americana from Alison Krauss to Bonnie Raitt.

• About Beth Schafer [+ Show ]
  

  Beth Schafer's music is a vivid kaleidoscope of eyes-wide-open spirituality and breathtaking musicia...Beth Schafer's music is a vivid kaleidoscope of eyes-wide-open spirituality and breathtaking musicianship. Her skill as a songwriter of contemporary Jewish music is unmatched.
  
  Joe Eglash,
  Owner, OySongs.com

• Review of CD, "Love Your Neighbor" [+ Show ]
  

  September/October 2003 This is what contemporary Jewish music is all about. In Beth Schafer's fou...September/October 2003
  
  This is what contemporary Jewish music is all about. In Beth Schafer's fourth release, the music is broad in scope and deep in meaning. Accompanied by a chorus of children on the first track, "Working for Shalom," sums up the message for the entire disc; while negative things may be in this world, each person must work toward peace and understanding with sensitivity and bravery.
  
  "Love Your Neighbor" shines: ***** 5 stars out of 5

• Jewish Magazine Promotional CD [+ Show ]
  

  Dear Beth, Thank you so much for giving us permission to use your recording of your song "Children ...Dear Beth,
  Thank you so much for giving us permission to use your recording of your song "Children of Freedom" on our "Babapalooza" promotional CD. This song truly exemplifies the theme of remembrance which will be featured in our spring issue. It also helps further the BabagaNewz mission of encouraging our readers to cherish and understand the values that are at the core of Jewish beliefs and practice. And, it was really a bonus to be able to use this particular recording.
  
  B'shalom,
  Loren Weisman
  Office manager

• Review of "Love Your Neighbor" CD [+ Show ]
  

  I cannot say enough good things about this CD. I LOVED IT!! Beth Schafer just keeps getting better a...I cannot say enough good things about this CD. I LOVED IT!! Beth Schafer just keeps getting better and better. It is rare that I find a CD where every single song is one I want to listen to over and over again, but this is one of them. The songs are timely and well written with music and lyrics complimenting one another. As the title suggests, most of the songs deal with Loving Your Neighbor and working to make the world a better place where all people can live in peace....Not only are the songs great, but Beth's voice and instrument playing (she plays guitar, mandolin, and piano) are awesome. I could listen to her all day long. Run, don't walk to get this CD. Beth has created yet another album of music to be savored and enjoyed.
  Judy Caplan Ginsburgh
  Jewishentertainment.net

• Artist in Residence Review [+ Show ]
  

  Beth Schafer recently served as artist-in-residence for our community--to the joy of all. She was bo...Beth Schafer recently served as artist-in-residence for our community--to the joy of all. She was both a musical and personal delight. Her presentations, both professional and personable were of high caliber. More memorable, however, was a certain quality of soul that touches her audience in a way which cannot be gotten through listening to her recorded music alone (though that, too is a pleasure). Her knowledge of sacred texts couples ancient wisdom with fresh and penetrating insights. Her background stories and anecdotes, her poignancy and humor are as lyrical as her music. All of these make Beth remarkably accessible to audiences of all ages, creeds and faith traditions. Her songs give voice to a spiritual message which deserves to be heard by everyone.
  
  Rabbi Michael Datz
  Springfield Jewish Federation and Temple B'rith Sholom

Setlist

Full show can run up to 2 hours. Can build 20- 30 minute mini-sets. Show mood ranges from rocking to contempative. We perform faith-based shows, secular shows and/or mixed sets. Mixture of groove track, live band, guitars with lots of vocal harmony. In community-oriented events, band will work with local choirs to participate.

Can do completely secular sets with positive messages, no religious overtones.

Basic Requirements

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