Gretchen Christopher

Artist Information

Biography

GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER
~ "Good As Gold" ~
The Artist and Her Music

She polished her performing at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL, L.A. FORUM, OAKLAND COLISEUM, N.Y. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. When she reprised her autobiographical musical, one-woman show "COME SOFTLY TO ME, GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER", at Hollywood's CINEGRILL in 1993 and '94, the MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS ANGELS presented, for lifetime achievement, the ANGEL VICTORY AWARD, naming Gretchen Christopher "Inspirational Star, Singer, Composer, Dancer, Choreographer, Recording Artist." The latest in a distinguished line of honorees, from Sammy Davis Jr. in 1979 to Debbie Reynolds in 1993.

Making her life and living in the arts, Gretchen danced, choreographed and sang solo on television, professionally, at age 17, founded The Fleetwoods at age 18, sang lead on more than 20 of their recordings and wrote 11 of them, including Billboard #1 Hit "Come Softly To Me" and Top 40 Hit "Graduation's Here". She's performed and led the vocal arranging on 15 albums, including 11 nationally charted hit singles.

For her 16th album, her first solo CD, she dons the hat of Producer, as well as Artist, Songwriter, and Vocal Arranger, performing all the parts, when needed, but mostly keeping it sweet, simple, sincere and solo, earning rave reviews!

GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN (SUITE 16) is among the 2007 BILLBOARD CRITICS' PICKS for 10 BEST ALBUMS of the year.

Worldwide success began with her self-penned #1 Hit "COME SOFTLY TO ME" and Top 40 Hit "GRADUATION'S HERE". With another chart-topper, "MR. BLUE", Gretchen's trio The Fleetwoods became the first group in the world to have two #1 Records top The Billboard Hot 100 in a single year (1959). Top 10 Hit "TRAGEDY" and a string of Top 40 hits followed (including "GOODNIGHT MY LOVE" and "(He's) THE GREAT IMPOSTOR", spending a total of 110 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100.

In 1988, delighting the audience by wearing the same gown she'd worn 29 years earlier when Dick Clark presented her with her first GOLD RECORDS, dancer-trim, blonde, blue-eyed Gretchen accepted another Gold Record as The Fleetwoods were inducted into the NORTHWEST MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

~ MORE HONORS & CREATIVITY IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM ~

2005, amidst recording new songs for her autobiographical solo CD, Gretchen flies back from Dallas to perform the title song, "Sweet Sixteen", as she and The Fleetwoods are inducted into the OHS ALUMNI HALL OF FAME, in Olympia, Washington.

2006, The Fleetwoods are inducted into the DOO WOPP HALL OF FAME OF AMERICA, Symphony Hall, Boston.

2007, Christopher's solo CD, GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN! (SUITE 16) is among the BILLBOARD CRITICS' PICKS for 10 BEST ALBUMS of the year.

2008 celebrates THE FLEETWOODS' induction into the VOCAL GROUP HALL OF FAME, to which they were elected in 2006.

~ PERFORMANCES ~
Multi-Million-Seller Songwriter/Recording Artist Gretchen Christopher creates a rare rapport with audiences. "She wraps her warm voice around you and leads you down a goose pimple path."

Legendary Jazz Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie pronounced Gretchen's singing, "like an angel."

Meeting Gretchen Christopher at the Grammy Awards, Winner Linda Ronstadt exclaimed, "I love your music!"

Gretchen Christopher's music has the quality of standards. Her autobiographical lyrics and memorable melodies express themselves softly, profoundly; documenting feelings and experiences from teen years through love, loss, laughter and life thereafter.

Audiences share her musical journey, from the 1959 Million-Seller, Gold #1 Record and Best Selling Sheet Music in USA & UK, "COME SOFTLY TO ME" ('n doo be doo, Dom dom) and Top 40 Hit "GRADUATION'S HERE" (both of which Gretchen co-wrote and sang lead on, with The Fleetwoods) to the inspiring and soul-bared lyrics, dynamic and haunting tunes she's writing today, worthy of Broadway.

Distinguished by smooth harmonies and counterpoint, Gretchen's first song hit worldwide and has logged nearly three million radio air plays in the USA; so Broadcast Music, Inc. has repeatedly honored Songwriter Gretchen Christopher and "Come Softly To Me" as BMI MILLION AIRS.

~ SCREEN PERFORMANCES ~
Gretchen's songs, voice and Fleetwoods hits are heard on the soundtracks of a dozen motion pics, including AMERICAN GRAFFITI; 28 DAYS; STAND BY ME; CROSSING DELANCEY; RETURN TO MACON COUNTY; CLEAN AND SOBER; AMERICAN HOT WAX; DINER; and more - not all are listed at http://www.thefleetwoods.com/screenwork.html

THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOTION PICTURE COUNCIL, in December 1992, honored Gretchen Christopher with their top award, the Jeanie Golden Halo Eagle (dubbed the SUPER STAR AWARD) for her contribution to the Entertainment Industry. They cite Gretchen Christopher as "ACTRESS-SINGER-COMPOSER" with the ability to dramatize a song and move an audience beyond the mere recitation of lyrics and music.

Portrayed in one movie and appearing in another, Gretchen's voice and hits are heard on the soundtracks of a dozen motion pictures and countless television shows.

Favorite live television performances include the iconic: DICK CLARK SHOW, ALAN FREED SHOW, AMERICAN BANDSTAND and (simply because of its iconic nature) THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW.

Gretchen says, "As people discover that I'm celebrating my leap year birthday and first-love-revisited, with the album GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN, I'd love to appear on OPRAH, THE TONIGHT SHOW and talk shows for which I was considered too young, when we had our first hits. Now I'm a teenager (born February 29th) and youth is in," she laughs, "it's a win-win!"

Instrumentation

Gretchen Christopher, BMI Million Airs Songwriter:
Vocals, Piano/Keyboard/Tracks;
solo, with House Band, or the following:

Phil Lawson or Paul Bidne: Guitar.
Chuck Deardorff or Steve Allen: Bass.
John Worsley or Steve Munger: Flute, Sax, Harmonies.
Karen Cone or Elsa Dorian: Keyboard, Percussion, Vocal Harmonies.
(Personnel subject to change; harmonies also available on tracks, if preferred.)

Discography

Solo CD (SUITE 16), released autumn 2007, is one of the BILLBOARD CRITICS' PICKS FOR 10 BEST ALBUMS of the year and is receiving radio airplay and streaming, including "Autumn Gold", "Graduation's Here", "Blues Go Away", "Sweet Sixteen" along with extensive interviews (HEAR INTERVIEWS at www.GretchenChristopher.com) including:

Daddy Dave's Hollywood Diner, 50s on 5, XM Satellite Radio;

Kelly Watts' Class Reunion "Celebrity Interview Series";

Bob Morgan Show live from Las Vegas;

Matt the Cat, "Night Prowl", 50s on 5, XM Satellite Radio;

Norm N. Nite, "Remember Then", live from The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame", Sirius Radio;

Marty Natchez & Bill Pearson, "Song Encyclopedia";

Dick Pust, PD, KGY 1240 AM, one of the nation's longest licensed stations, has been playing the entire album, in rotation for the past year.

GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN!(SUITE 16)
Label: Gold Cup Music (GCM-CD 1601)
Artist/Songwriter: Gretchen Christopher
9/28/07

1. "Autumn Gold"
2. "Come Softly" (a cappella)
3. "Time of Love"
4. "Everything I Wanna Be"
5. "Before You Go"
6. "Write Down"
7. "Graduation's Here"
8. "The Hardest Promise I'll Keep"
9. "Gotta Take That Ride"
10. "Come Softly To Me"
11. "Blues Go Away"
12. "What Good Is Pride?"
13. "Standing At My Window"
14. "Everything Good In My Life"
15. "What Time Is It?"
16. "Sweet Sixteen"

Selections from her 11 Hit Singles and 15 Albums as The Fleetwoods (titles listed below) have received ongoing airplay for five decades, on virtually every pop music station in the USA plus worldwide, 1959 to the present (2008), as reported by BMI, including nearly 3 million US broadcasts of "Come Softly To Me" alone.

1959-1963
Billboard Hit Singles
Artist: The Fleetwoods (Gretchen Christopher, Lead Female Vocalist, Songwriter &/or Vocal Arranger)

Label: Dolphin/Dolton Records

#1 (Million-Seller Gold Records and BMI Million Airs, nearing 3 million US air plays, each)
"Come Softly To Me"
"Mr. Blue"

Top 10
"Tragedy"

Top 30
(He's) The Great Impostor"
"Runaraound"
"Outside My Window"

Top 40 "
"Graduation's Here"
"Goodnight My Love"
"Lovers By Night, Strangers By Day"

Hot 100
"You Mean Everything To Me"
"The Last One To Know"


LONG PLAYING ALBUMS (LP):
Dolton Records, unless otherwise indicated


BLP-2001/ BST-8001 MR. BLUE
10/59

1. Confidential
2. The Three Caballeros
3. Raindrops, Teardrops
4. You Mean Everything To Me
5. Oh Lord Let It Be
6. Come Softly To Me
7. Serenade of the Bells
8. Unchained Melody
9. We Belong Together
10. Come Go With Me
11. I Care So Much
12. Mr. Blue

BLP-2002/ BST-8002 THE FLEETWOODS:
Gretchen, Gary and Barbara
9/1/60


1. Bye Bye Blackbird
2. Truly Do
3. Skylark
4. My Sister’s Love
5. I Believe
6. Runaround
7. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby
8. One For My Baby
9. Once In A While
10. Turtle Dove
11. Time Of Love
12. Outside My Window


BLP-2005/BST-8005 SOFTLY
4/61

1. Little White Cloud That Cried
2. Tragedy
3. Dormilona
4. I’m So Alone
5. Nancy
6. Days Dwindle By
7. Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
8. Little Miss Sad One
9. I Love You So
10. Love Drop
11. The Last One To Know
12. Love Alone


BLP-2007/BST-8007 DEEP IN A DREAM
7/17/61

1. Lavender Blue
2. Poor Little Girl
3. Daddy’s Home
4. A Teenager In Love
5. Paradise Lost
6. Hey, Little Tear
7. Little Girl Blue
8. (He’s) The Great Imposter
9. Lah-Dee-Dah
10. Blues Go Away
11. Lonely Cup Of Coffee
12. One Little Star


BLP-2011/BST-8011 The Fleetwoods
SING THE BEST GOODIES OF THE OLDIES
11/61

1. Over the Mountain Across the Sea
2. A Thousand Miles Away
3. Poor Little Fool
4. Tears On My Pillow
5. In the Still Of The Nite
6. To Know Him Is To Love Him
7. Eddie My Love
8. Earth Angel
9. Venus
10. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby
11. Donna
12. Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin’)



BLP-2018/BST-8018 The Fleetwoods
GREATEST HITS
8/62
Debuted on Billboard Top LPs 12/29/62
On the chart for 6 weeks through 2/2/63
Peak position: 71

1. Mr. Blue
2. You Mean Everything To Me
3. Outside My Window
4. Confidential
5. Truly Do
6. Tragedy
7. Come Softly To Me
8. (He’s ) The Great Impostor
9. The Last One To Know
10. Poor Little Girl
11. Graduation’s Here
12. Runaround



BLP-2020/BST-8020 The Fleetwoods
SING FOR LOVERS BY NIGHT
1/63


1. Loving You
2. My Special Lover
3. Bonsoir Dame
4. Goodnight My Love
5. Lovers’ Lullaby
6. If You Were The Only Girl In the World
7. Pledging My Love
8. The Twelfth of Never
9. I Look At You
10. Lovers By Night, Strangers By Day
11. Soft Eyes
12. Let It Be Me


BLP-2025/BST-8025 GOODNIGHT MY LOVE
7/63

1. Goodnight My Love
2. Jimmy San
3. The End Of the World
4. Sure Is Lonesome Downtown
5. Magic Star
6. I Just Can’t Live Without You
7. Every Little Beat
8. Sad Little Girl
9. So Much In Love
10. It’s Your Birthday
11. Figurines
12. Jimmy Beware
13. Hurt Him


BLP-2030/BST-8030 BEFORE AND AFTER
1/65

1. Softly As I Leave You
2. Mr. Sandman
3. Go Away, Little Girl
4. Little Things Mean A Lot
5. Before And After (Losing You)
6. Almost There
7. Since I Don’t Have You
8. This Is My Prayer (Non L’ete Per Amani)
9. Footsteps
10. Lonely Is As Lonely Does
11. What Am I Gonna Do With You
12. I’ll Be There


BLP-20339/BST-8039 FOLK ROCK
11/65

1. A Lover’s Concerto
2. All I Really Want To Do
3. You Can’t Grow Peaches On A Cherry Tree
4. It Ain’t Me Babe
5. Run, Don’t Walk
6. For Lovin’ Me
7. You’ve Got Your Troubles
8. Not The Lovin’ Kind
9. You Were On My Mind
10. We’ll Sing In the Sunshine
11. Baby Don’t Go
12. This Is Where I See Her


Label: Sunset
SUM-1131/SUS-5131 IN A MELLOW MOOD
9/66

1. The Last One To Know
2. Love Alone
3. Little Miss Sad One
4. Days Dwindle By
5. Hurt Him
6. Figurines
7. Jimmy Beware
8. Dormilona
9. I Just Can’t Live Without You
10. Love Drop


Label: Deja Vu The Fleetwoods (& other artists)
102 THE BEST OF THE ROCK & ROLL REVIVAL
Vol. 2 ("Mr. Blue" recorded live at
NY Academy of Music, 6/4 or 6/5/71)
1972



United Artists
UA-LA-334-E THE VERY BEST OF THE FLEETWOODS
12/74
(NOTE: Goldmine Record Album Price Guide
4th ed. lists this as 1975 release;
also Rockin’ Records 1995-1996
– a Jerry Osborne work – says
Fleetwoods UA albums are 1975)

1. Come Softly To Me
2. (He’s) The Great Impostor
3. Graduation’s Here
4. We Belong Together
5. Mr. Blue
6. Tragedy
7. Runaround
8. Goodnight My Love
9. Confidential
10. Outside My Window

Liberty The Fleetwoods
LN-10159 GREATEST HITS
(reissue of Dolton-2018, 8018, minus 2 songs)
1/82

1. Mr. Blue
2. Outside My Window
3. Confidential
4. Truly Do
5. Tragedy
6. Come Softly To Me
7. (He’s ) The Great Impostor
8. The Last One To Know
9. Graduation’s Here
10. Runaround



Liberty The Fleetwoods
LN-10160 SING THE BEST GOODIES OF THE OLDIES
(reissue of Dolton-2011, 8011, minus 2 songs)
1/82

1. A Thousand Miles Away
2. Poor Little Fool
3. Tears On My Pillow
4. In the Still of the Night
5. To Know Him Is to Love Him
6. Eddie My Love
7. Earth Angel
8. Venus
9. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby
10. Donna

Liberty
LN-10199 BURIED TREASURE
3/11/83

1. Who’s Gonna Teach You About Love
2. My Love, My Love
3. Get Behind Me Devil
4. Ask Him If He’s Got a Friend For Me
5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
6. Man In a Raincoat
7. Let Her Go
8. Imagination
9. Surfer’s Playmate
10. Climb Ev’ry Mountain


EXTENDED-PLAY RECORD (EP):

Dolton BEP 502 THE FLEETWOODS
9/1/60

1. Runaround
2. Mr. Blue
3. Outside My Window
4. Come Softly to Me

Official Website

http://www.GretchenChristopher.com

Audio

• "Come Softly To Me"
  Listen  
• "Blues Go Away"
  Listen  
• "Autumn Gold"
  Listen  

Lyrics

• "Sweet Sixteen"
• "The Hardest Promise I'll Keep"
• "Tom"

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Ask “Mr. Music” [+ Show ]
  

  Ask “Mr. Music” Jerry Osborne FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25, 2008 DEAR JERRY: Last year you wro...Ask “Mr. Music”
  Jerry Osborne
  
  FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25, 2008
  
  DEAR JERRY: Last year you wrote about the Fleetwoods. You also told of Gretchen Christopher, their founder, writing some songs for a new album.
  
  I got the impression she had an unusual concept album planned.
  
  Has she since completed this project?
  —Gary Morgan, Boise, Idaho
  
  DEAR GARY: Gretchen's masterpiece, “Sweet Sixteen (Suite 16)” (Gold Cup 1601), came out a few months ago, and received glowing reviews from the media.
  
  Among its accolades is being named a Billboard Critics Pick as one of the 10 Best Albums of 2007.
  
  Unlike most concept albums, Christopher's “Sweet Sixteen (Suite 16)” is a completely truthful soundtrack of her life (including the Fleetwoods experience) and, more importantly, her first love (inexplicably, someone other than this journalist).
  
  Gretchen wrote and arranged all of the music to tell the story as it happened. She also created an insert booklet, with fascinating text and photos, all of which enhances the listening experience.
  
  Music historians should now find it easier to define a concept album, as “Sweet Sixteen (Suite 16)” is the model of the genre.
  
  It is fitting we talk about Gretchen's album this week, since February 29th is her 17th birthday. For another 11-plus years, this leap year baby will still be a teenager.
  
  Happy birthday Soft One!
  
  For more information about Gretchen and “Sweet Sixteen (Suite 16),” click the image below.
  
  

• Billboard. 2007: THE YEAR IN MUSIC [+ Show ]
  

  2007 Billboard Critics' Picks : 10 BEST ALBUMS The Billboard staff, along with the freelance writ...2007 Billboard Critics' Picks : 10 BEST ALBUMS
  
  The Billboard staff, along with the freelance writers who contribute to the magazine and the Web site, represent a vast range of musical tastes. The proof is in is our annual Critics' choice roundup, where all parties are invited to submit a list of their top 10 favorite albums, singles or musical events of the past year.
  
  While Billboard's various charts reflect the retail sales of albums and the sales and airplay of singles, these lists are based only the personal favorites of staff and contributors.
  
  Scroll down the page to browse all of the lists, or use the menu of names and titles in the sidebar to skip ahead to a specific critic.
  
  FRED BRONSON
  Billboard.com Chart Beat columnist
  
  1. Colbie Caillat, "Coco" (Universal Republic)
  Break out the "Bubbly" for the year's most engaging album.
  2. Rihanna, "Good Girl Gone Bad" (SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG)
  The perfect storm of performance, songwriting and production.
  3. Kim Richey, "Chinese Boxes" (Vanguard)
  Vocals and compositions connect directly to your heart.
  4. Ingrid Michaelson, "Girls and Boys" (Cabin 24/Original Signal)
  I would have loved this even without help from Old Navy.
  5. Mêlée, "Devils & Angels" (Warner Bros.)
  This overlooked CD deserved to be a hit; it's worth seeking out.
  
  6. Gretchen Christopher, "Sweet Sixteen (Suite 16)" (Gold Cup)
  The former Fleetwoods singer, born Feb. 29, celebrates her "16th birthday" by turning her life into a stunning suite of 16 songs.
  
  7. Cartel, "Cartel" (Epic)
  This year's Pure Pop for Now People winner.
  8. Nick Lowe, "At My Age" (Yep Roc/Proper)
  Speaking of Pure Pop, here's the original, still a Now Person at his age.
  9. D'Nash, "Capaz de Todo" (Import: Caes)
  This Spanish boy band should get a U.S. release.
  10. Rilo Kiley, "Under the Blacklight" (Warner Bros.)
  Indie sensation still cooking on major label.
  
  

• "A Career Highlight For Me" [+ Show ]
  

  "Career highlight" On Oct 17, 2007 (22:05:03), Matt The Cat wrote: URL: http://mattthecat.com ... "Career highlight"
  
  On Oct 17, 2007 (22:05:03), Matt The Cat wrote:
  URL: http://mattthecat.com
  
  Gretchen, Interviewing you on 10/10 was a career highlight for me. Thanks so much for coming on my show and introducing America to your new songs alongside your classic favorites. You are one of a kind. Never stop singing.
  Soulfully, Matt The Cat The Night Prowl Show
  XM Satellite Radio 50s on 5
  
  

• "Amazing You" [+ Show ]
  

  "Amazing You" On July 10, 2006 Barbara Ellis wrote: Subject: amazing you She worked on th... "Amazing You"
  
  On July 10, 2006 Barbara Ellis wrote:
  
  Subject: amazing you
  
  She worked on this project I should imagine, with both love and hate for all the hours, weeks, months and years given. There are some tunes written while we were Fleetwoods together. My favorite, "Blues Go Away". She was so young to know such heartbreak yet it all came from her soul.
  
  "Before You Go", another favorite along with "Autumn Gold". With lyrics and melody so touching. These were written later on in her career, and showing the same haunting soulful feelings.
  
  I have not heard all the tunes on this CD, but knowing Gretchen they will be her blood, sweat, tears and soul. She always gives her best to us.
  
  I wish you the best my dear old friend, and hope your fans and newcomers to your music sit back and enjoy.
  
  Always, All ways, Barbara

• Quotable Quotes [+ Show ]
  

  What her peers have said of Gretchen: "I love your music." Jaclyn ...What her peers have said of Gretchen:
  
  "I love your music."
  Jaclyn Smith
  Seattle, WA, set of movie Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
  Publisher: Tacoma News Tribune
  
  
  "You sing like an angel."
  Dizzy Gillespie
  San Francisco, CA, Jazz Venue
  Publisher: Jazz Profile Magazine
  
  
  "I love your music!"
  Linda Ronstadt
  Los Angeles, CA, Grammy Awards
  Publisher: (NAS) Musepaper
  
  "The former Fleetwoods singer, born Feb. 29, celebrates her '16th birthday' by turning her life into a stunning suite of 16 songs."
  Fred Bronson
  2007, The Year In Music
  Publisher: Billboard.com
  
  

• Tales From The Stage [+ Show ]
  

  At Centre Stage in London, I performed my cabaret show of original songs, including the the 1959 #1 ...At Centre Stage in London, I performed my cabaret show of original songs, including the the 1959 #1 hit, "Come Softly".....the intimate venue was quickly packed and bustling, elegant waiters proud and hustling.
  
  My English jazz pianist was not prepared to accompany but half of my original compositions; so, on inspiration, I cut up my tune list onstage, tossed all the titles into a hat, and let him draw to see which song we'd do next...one he'd accompany or one I'd play myself. it made for great spontaneity (including my dialogue), and the responses of those who spoke to me afterward were wonderful.
  
  My favorite was the comment of a waiter. With disdain, he explained, "I hear many singers here; we get the best, but I work. I don't listen. I speak little English; some words I don't understand. But I hear your voice and stop. Your voice I understand."

• GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER / Cover Shot [+ Show ]
  

  DK: You are a celebrity because of your pop days as the guiding force behind the Fleetwood.....Let ...DK: You are a celebrity because of your pop days as the guiding force behind the Fleetwood.....Let me ask you about the recording process for your new project. Are you finding that it's a difficult process, doing a contemporary album? How is it going?
  
  GC: It's very difficult for me to not have a producer because, in Hollywood, we just...we were told when the studio times were, and it was all set up -- the studio musicians, everything, and we had some fine jazz players. We would arrange and rehearse counterpoint and harmonies, a cappella, all day; we'd record at night. The Fleetwoods would finish, and Sinatra'd come in ......
  
  I was just waiting for our contract to expire so that I could be free to be solo....I thought I wanted either to have my own label or own a substantial piece of the action, in any label I would record for.....
  
  When we were inducted into the NW Music Hall of Fame, I was so touched by the enthusiasm of the audience, and their pride in their own, that I decided, when I recorded my solo album, I wanted to do it here. But it's difficult. I'm finding that even recommended studios in Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia have equipment problems: problems with a grand piano that has a squeaky pedal, or that plucks the strings when you strike the keys. Okay for loud rock but not for soft, smooth jazz, where the silences are as important as the notes.
  
  DK: Is ther anything about your life that you would change?
  
  GC: Yes, but I don't know how it could be changed; it involves other people changing, too. But I feel very, very fortunate......Externally, it's been a fairy tale, but internally I've had a lot of hungers and needs that weren't being met. And I have suffered great depression, and I've lived through it. And I feel that if I could share this with people through my writing, or my music for that matter, it could help other people.
  
  Someone who heard me in concert said, "Gretchen, you've got to record these things. People need to hear them." She didn't say, "Gretchen, you gotta do this so you can be a star." She said, "You've got to do it because other people need it." So what I feel is that I have the gift of being able to express some pretty deep feelings and that there are people out there who welcome discovering a song that truly speaks to them.
  
  What Time Is It? Is it time to share?
  How much can I give? How much can I share?
  There's only now, I have just today.
  I'll fill it with love and give it away.
  
  "What Time Is It?" © 2005 Gretchen Christopher.

Setlist

GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN!
Musical Show of 16 autobiographical songs, of varying genres, covering 6 decades,
including hits "Graduation's Here" and "Come Softly To Me"

1. "Autumn Gold" (ballad w/quality of a "standard")
2. "Come Softly" a cappella, (Doo Wop, classic)
3. "Time of Love" (chamber music)
4. "Everything Good In My Life" (jazz waltz/show)
5. "Before You Go" (ballad)
6. "Write Down" (motivational/uptempo)
7. "Graduation's Here" (doo wop, Top 40 Hit)
8. "The Hardest Promise I'll Keep" (ballad)
9. "Gotta Take That Ride" (jazz waltz)
10. "Come Softly To Me" (#1 Hit, Doo Wop, Standard)
11. "Blues Go Away" (torchy jazz)
12. "What Good Is Pride?" (rock)
13. "Standing At My Window" (chamber music)
14. "Everything Good In My Life" (jazz waltz)
15. "What Time Is It?" (life cycle, 7 verses, 7 keys)
16. "Sweet Sixteen" (6 decades in 7 verses, 7 keys)



GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER & THE FLEETWOODS GREATEST HITS:
This show comprised of million-seller Gold #1 Records & Top 40 Hits from my recordings as The Fleetwoods, plus, selections from our 15 albums and 7 CDs, among those listed on The Fleetwoods Spotlight Gretchen: www.TheFleetwoods.com/spotlightgretchen.html

Position on Billboard Hot 100 (dated chronologically):
#1 "Come Softly To Me" (Million-seller: Gold Record) 1959
#39 "Graduation’s Here" 1959
#1 "Mr. Blue" (Million-seller: Gold Record) 1959
#84 "You Mean Everything To Me" 1959
#28 "Outside My Window" 1960
#23 "Runaround" 1960
#96 "The Last One To Know" 1960
#10 "Tragedy" 1961
#30 "(He’s) The Great Imposter" 1961
#36 "Lovers By Night, Strangers By Day" 1962
#32 "Goodnight My Love" 1963

(plus "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and others at www.thefleetwoods.com/spotlightgretchen.html)




AN EVENING OF INTIMATE JAZZ
WITH GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER

"How About You"
"Autumn In New York/I Stayed Too Long At The Fair"
"Little Girl Blue"
"Lover Man"
"Come Rain or Come Shine"
"One For My Baby"
"Ill Wind"
"Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams"
"Imagination"
"Skylark/Over The Rainbow"
"That Old Feeling"
"Love Me or Leave Me"
"Blues Go Away"
"Lady Blue"
"Lush Life"
"What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?"
"Bye Bye Blackbird"

(alternate selections from over 250 standards sung by Gretchen since her teens)



COME SOFTLY TO ME, GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER
(Music & Performing Arts' ANGEL VICTORY AWARD winning show)
All are self-penned, but "Original" connotes unrecorded:

1. "Write Down" (Opener, uptempo)
2. "Graduation's Here" (Top 40 Hit, Doo Wop)
3. "(Lady) Mr. Blue" (#1 Hit, jazz ballad)
4. "Blues Go Away" (Jazzy Blues, from 4th album)
5. "The Cure" (original, jazzy ballad)
6. "Christmas Is You" (original, ballad)
7. "Everything I Wanna Be" (jazz waltz, uptempo)
8 "As I Sit By My Window" (piano solo)
9. "Hold On to What You Have" (original)
10. "What Good Is Pride?" (uptempo, rock)
11. "Standing At My Window" (drawing room ballad)
12. "Full and Free" (original, uptempo)
13. "Goodnight My Love" (Top 40 Hit, ballad)
14. "Come softly To Me" (#1 Hit, Doo Wop)
15. "The Turning of Your Key" (original ballad)
16. "Autumn Gold" (ballad)
17. "Everything Good In My Life" (jazz waltz, uptempo)
18. "Tom" (original ballad)
19. "Write Down" (Reprise, uptempo)
20. "What Time Is It?" (Encore, 7 verses, 7 keys)


GRETCHEN'S SWING 'N' DIXIE!
Special Guest Artist (featured w/7 bands in 4 days)
International Dixieland Jazz Festival

(Listed alphabetically)
After You've Gone
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Ain't Misbehavin'
Birth of the Blues
*Bye Bye Blackbird (Favorite - Ab)
Five Foot Two (dance Charleston)
*Hard Hearted Hannah (*Favorite - F)
I Ain't Got Nobody
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
Nobody's Sweetheart Now
Some of These Days
St. Louis Blues
Swanee
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
When The Saints Go Marching In (high steppin' dance)

Basic Requirements

Calendar