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Every little girl dreams of becoming a star-whether it be a basketball star, instrumental star or movie star. We all hope to become one of the best, if not the best, at executing our ultimate talent. Some dreamers out there would do anything to bring their hopes alive. There is that little urge of success in every one of us, but this 17 year old dreamer of Kansas City, MO has taken her inner calling for stardom to musical heights.
Jillian Riscoe set her sights on becoming the next vocal idol at a young age and has been singing her way to achievement ever since. Riscoe, a senior at Oak Park High School, was eight-years-old when she began writing her own lyrics and performing classic songs at various Kansas City venues. Performances included solos in her elementary school choirs, retail grand openings, the Northtown Opry, a feature on the TV Talent Hour with PAX TV, and singing the national anthem at every KC professional sporting event except for the Chiefs.
She was inspired by popular artists at the time, Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera, who set the example of the kind of singer that Riscoe wants to become. With a little influence from popular artists and her own individual preferences, Riscoe proudly describes her music as "rock/pop."
At the age of 10, while most of us were caught up on fourth grade multiplication problems, Riscoe recorded her first CD. The talent continued to develop and become more evident as Riscoe grew older when she recorded another CD at the age of 14. She soon became involved with a local band called "Fatfinger" where they perform together at local venues. On May 1, 2007, she released her latest EP, "Near to There", with four co-written songs.
"Everything happens for a reason. You have to work for it. If you work for it, it will happen," she said.
Becoming an increasingly popular community artist on the rise, this active teen is booking performances every couple of weeks. She says that the strive for achievement is worth all the bumps in the road to her musical aspirations.
"My biggest obstacle would have to be the climb to work your way to the top," said Riscoe, "because there's no instant way to find success."
Her parents, Vicki and Tom Riscoe, and little brother Matthew have supported her by taking managing roles and attending as many performances as possible.
"Jillian creates good music with good quality," said Mrs. Riscoe. "She makes people happy."
She advises anyone who is determined to reach their dreams to "stay focused, keep surrounded with people who support you, and not to take 'no' for an answer."
To find out more information about Jillian Riscoe's road to stardom, visit her MySpace page at Myspace.com/jillianriscoe, her website at Jillianriscoe.com, and e-mail her jillianriscoeonline@yahoo.com.
Jillian Riscoe is no longer at little girl, dreaming of stardom. This local lady is taking advantage of this vast world of opportunity and is setting the example for every aspiring heart everyday.
- Array KC Magazine (Prominent Youth Inc.)
Jillian's Near To There
Bruce Von Stiers
You can come across immense talent quite by accident. This happened recently to me. Anyone who reads my reviews knows I am always on the lookout for great new fresh talent to listen to. One such search led me to find a performer who has gotten glowing praise from journalists, including one blogger who just knows that she'll be able to tell people "I knew her when."
I was checking out the MySpace Music site for Katy Kinard, a great vocalist and keyboardist who I got to see perform live back in April. One entry on Katy's Friends Comments section was from Kansas City area performer Casey Todd. Cruising on over to Casey's MySpace site, I found he had a comment from another Kansas City area performer. I checked out her MySpace site and discovered I really enjoyed her music. When I learned that she was only 17 years old, I was amazed at the talent that this young woman has. Her name? Jillian Riscoe.
The reason that I bring your attention to Jillian is that she has a new EP that was recently released. The EP is titled Near to There. It contains four songs and lasts a bit over fifteen minutes.
The EP was produced by Jillian, along with Jeff Derdich and Gary Gray. All three wrote the songs on the EP and both Derdich and Gray performed on it. It was recorded at the MoonPie Studios in Kansas City .
Messed Up is the first song on the EP. First of all, the song has some really good acoustic guitar backing Jillian's vocals. And secondly, the vocals on the song are fluid and strong, yet have a melodic touch.
Don't Wanna' Know Why is a cool alt rock ballad. It has a bit of country in the chorus when Jillian brings her voice up a couple of octaves. The song has Jillian singing about him dumping her and that she doesn't want him explaining about why he did it.
The song Tell Me has a nice classical music intro with string instruments. This is a soft song with whispery aching vocals.
Jillian ends the EP with a hot alt rock tune called Crash and Burn. You will be tapping you feet to the music and smiling at the terrific vocals that Jillian provides for the song. This song shows that passion that Jillian brings to her music.
Even at such a young age, Jillian has been performing at venues for a few years. Performing the national anthem at Kansas City Royals games, along with other sporting events and various venues around the Kansas City area has given Jillian a lot of local exposure.
With Near To There, Jillian Riscoe is sure to come to the attention of a lot more people. She has immense talent and could perhaps become a household name in the near future. People who have heard her music have really enjoyed it and those who have seen her perform live have been enthralled. Now possibly the rest of the world can fall in love with Jillian Riscoe and her music.
You can hear Jillian's music at her MySpace Music site. The site is at www.Myspace.com/jillianriscoe . Jillian's official site is www.jillianriscoe.com
© 2007 Bruce E Von Stiers
- by Bruce VonStiers of BVSReviews.com
Discography
Collisions and Crossroads EP w/ Patrick Woolam, January 2008. (Age 18)
Near to There EP, May 2007. (Age 17)
The Jillian Riscoe Project EP, January 2006. (Age 16)
Take II EP, August 2002. (Age 12)
Jillian's Melody LP, April 2000. (Age 10)
Photos
Bio
MYSPACE.COM/JILLIANRISCOE
JILLIANRISCOE.COM
JILLIAN RISCOE
OFFICIAL BIO
A household name? Soon enough. Jillian Riscoe is just 18 years old and is already well on her way to becoming someone unforgettable. A singer, a songwriter, a star.
Jillian, even at an early age was surrounded by a wide variety of music. She was automatically intrigued and that is when the singing really broke out. Family members took notice and wondered of what was to come.
Throughout school, she became involved with vocal music and the attraction rose. The singing became more serious and instead of just a hobby, it became something she wanted to be.
Then at age 10, after many live performances and showcases, Jillian got to work on her first CD. The finished product was named Jillian’s Melody (2000) and the 10 tracks were full of familiar songs, ranging from top 40 hits to Broadway classics. As she continued performing her performances included PAX TV Talent Hour, music halls and store grand openings. Jillian kept very busy as an 11-year-old vocalist.
At age 12, she headed back into the recording studio to record her first demo CD named Take II (2002) which consisted of 3 songs, one of which was Jillian’s first original song. All of this accomplished before reaching high school, Jillian was well on her way to the road she is now on today.
In just a short period of time, at age 14, Jillian performed her rendition of our country’s national anthem at many of Kansas City’s major sporting events, which included the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Wizards, the Kansas City T-Bones and the American Royal. After age 15, she continued performing in several showcases with a local talent agency and performed at Kansas City’s DCID annual Christmas luncheon.
At the beginning of 2006, Jillian released her second demo CD, The Jillian Riscoe Project (2006). This demo included 3 soul-filled original songs and a stunning rendition of Etta James’ classic "At Last".
She has performed the national anthem for local school sporting events and was also involved in the Gladstone, Missouri version of the American Idol competition at the annual Gladfest. Jillian performed and finished runner-up.
Jillian released her all-original EP, Near to There, (2007) on Tuesday, May 1st, 2007. Jillian wrote on all four rock/pop songs, collaborating with two members of the local band Fatfinger. She calls it "an eclectic mix of rock and pop with an alternative edge." Near to There contains songs filled with music and lyrics that are raw and real. Continuing, she adds, "It is different from what I’ve been singing…it has a live sound because of the band but still something you’d hope to hear on the radio. I want that connection with the lyrics, the music, all of it. For someone to say to me, ‘that got me’ in some way would be awesome." Then she adds with a smile, “a couple of Grammy’s, a world tour and a debut album gone platinum wouldn’t hurt either.”
Performing at the annual Liberty Fall Festival as the featured performer this past September 2007, this would be the third show in Liberty in a matter of several months, having performed also at the Liberty Heritage Festival and Farmer’s Market. Jillian was also a featured guest performer for the band Fatfinger at the annual Waterfest in Excelsior Springs, MO.
A wonderful review was published online, September 2007 by Bruce Von Stiers of BVSReviews.com for Jillian’s EP, Near to There, who wrote "you can come across immense talent by accident...her name? Jillian Riscoe."
Jillian showcased her CD and modeled for the Focus on Fashion event supporting Multiple Sclerosis in September 2007.
Being a featured performer on FOX 4 WDAF-TV Kansas City’s Morning Show in September 2007, Jillian was interviewed and was able to perform her original songs for all of Kansas City on live TV. As anchor Paul Herdtner from WDAF FOX 4 spoke during Jillian’s interview, he told Kansas City that ’Jillian Riscoe was not even a twinkle in her dad’s eye when the Beatle’s sang “she was just 17,” but if they were doing that song today, it might be about her because she really is “way beyond compare,” as the Beatle’s said many, many years ago.’
After having the featured spread which included a 3 page interview in Array KC Magazine’s Fall 2007 issue, Jillian took the front cover with collaborator of the Collisions and Crossroads EP, Patrick Woolam for the Winter 2007 issue. Inside featured a follow-up interview with both singer/songwriters.
Jillian may be a new member of the writer’s society ASCAP, but is not new to songwriting at all. Beginning at age 11, Jillian has written over 200 lyrics and has recorded over a dozen of them.
Awarded with being a FOX 4 Young Achiever, Phil Witt, senior anchor at FOX 4 WDAF-TV Kansas City quotes Jillian as, ”Not just another singer-songwriter. Not just another girl,” in his report of Jillian Riscoe’s ‘Reaching 4 Excellence’ segment, which was featured several
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