Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEMALE COUNTRY DUO THE MAMASITAS HONOR BREAST CANCER WARRIORS WITH INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE “WHY WE WALK”
Song and book chronicle inspirational journey toward breast cancer cure
Nashville, Tenn. (August 25, 2005) – Nashville’s premiere female progressive-country duo The Mamasitas, has been chosen as the featured artists to perform the song “Why We Walk.” The inspirational song, written by country music superstar artist/writers Phil & Julie Vassar, will be highlighted on a CD insert included in the book, Why We Walk: The Inspirational Journey Toward a Cure for Breast Cancer by Rutledge Hill Press. Releasing in September 2005, The Mamasitas are joining forces to honor breast cancer warriors around the nation in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).
With individual performances on The Today Show & Oprah, The Mamasitas are quickly becoming the new face of country music. The female duo, made up of Julie Vassar and Lee Aguilera, is honored to be the chosen artists to support the cause of breast cancer awareness.
"When we read the stories of people who have been devastated by breast cancer in the book, we were deeply touched and inspired to write a song in their honor,” stated Phil & Julie Vassar, co-writers of the song, “Why We Walk.” “Our prayer is that the lyric will bring a sense of hope and inspiration to those who hear it. "
Written by Mamasita Julie and her husband Phil Vassar, “Why We Walk” will be bound into the book, increasing its value as a gift for anyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer. The book guides readers on an intimate visual journey alongside more than 50 breast-cancer awareness walkers as they embark on their very personal pilgrimages. From individual trekkers to organized teams of walkers, Why We Walk examines the Breast Cancer Walks phenomenon—which collectively raise more than $100 million a year—by putting names and faces to the people who have turned the “little pink ribbon” into a big symbol for survival, hope, and a cure. Some are breast cancer survivors themselves, while others are friends or relatives of a breast cancer survivor—or walk for someone who fought the battle against this deadly disease and lost.
“The Mamasitas’ performance of “Why We Walk” evokes the heartache and hope that inspires the thousands of people who walk to fight breast cancer. It is beautiful and everyone who hears it is moved. Julie and Lee bring the book to life with this song,” said Pamela Clements, Publisher, Rutledge Hill Press
Mamasita Lee McGinnis Aguilera was one of eight finalists out of 15,000 hopefuls on the Oprah Winfrey Pop Star Challenge. After 4 guest appearances, a featured song on Oprah’s Popstar Challenge Cast album and a whirlwind of press, she found herself standing on a mountain of opportunities. Her counterpart, Julie Vassar is also a seasoned country music songwriter & musician/performer. The multi-award-winning songwriter recently co-wrote the new theme song “Live for Today” with husband Phil Vassar for NBC’s #1 rated morning show, The Today Show.
With divine intervention, McGinnis and Vassar’s paths crossed in 2004 and instantly the two developed a strong bond and friendship, strengthened by a mutual respect for each other’s talents. They soon discovered that their vocal harmony blend had a unique and honest sound and that had a common drive and desire to continue their pursuit of music in spite of the challenges and stigma that our culture places on women who choose to balance career and family. Hence, the two became one and “The Mamasitas” were born.
To coincide with the CD single, The Mamasitas will perform “Why We Walk” at multiple walks around the country from October through December 2005, as well as for press events surrounding the book release. For more information about The Mamasitas, please visit their official website at www.themamasitas.com
contact:
Lesley Burbridge-Bates
L.A.B. Media
215 Ward Circle Suite 200
Brentwood, TN 37027
615.321.6400 x502
lesley.bates@labmediaonline.com
- L.A.B. Media
Discography
The Mamasitas debut CD 2005
available at : www.towerrecords.com or www.cdbaby.com
"Real Life Dream"
Theme song for E! Golden Girls of Hollywood
Reese Witherspoon
"Why We Walk"
92.9 Nashville
Nationally Syndicated
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Lee McGinnis Aguilera was born and raised in Ashland, Oregon where she sang all over the Rogue Valley from an early age. Writing her songs using an old upright piano in the basement of their family home was an obsession. Performing country music has been a life long passion. She never considered another career path for herself. Lee went to Southern Oregon University on a Music Business Scholarship but she knew she was just biding her time until she could move to Nashville and pursue her dream as a singer/songwriter. In 1995 her perseverance paid off and on the arm of her high-school sweetheart, freshly wed, she made the 2500 mile move to Nashville, Tennessee.
Only 3 days after being in town, Lee landed a job as a receptionist at Blanton/Harrell Entertainment who worked with the likes of Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. While still focusing on her own musical aspirations, she learned the ins and outs of the music business. It was a great education into the world of music behind the scenes, however, it soon became necessary for Lee to leave the management company and give 100% of her time and energy to her own artistic passions.
Fate took a turn and family took priority, yet Lee’s drive and hunger to create and perform was still as strong as ever. After the birth of her second child, life took another turn and Lee found herself one of 8 finalists out of 15,000 hopefuls on the Oprah Winfrey Pop Star Challenge. After 4 guest appearances, a featured song on OPRAH¹S POPSTAR CHALLENGE CAST album with her soulful rendition of “At Last” released March, 2004 on Epic Records/Sony Music, and a whirlwind of press, she found herself standing on a mountain of opportunities.
Julie Wood Vassar was born and raised in rural Oklahoma where she began performing in churches and various events at an early age. She always knew that one day she would pursue opportunities in the entertainment field. Her grandmother bought her an acoustic guitar on her 16th birthday, a gift that would change her life forever. She received her bachelor’s degree in Theater/Radio-TV Performance at Oklahoma State University and soon moved to Nashville to sharpen her craft as a singer/songwriter and pursue her love for music.
She gained a lot of experience and learned music business 101 while working as an assistant for multi-platinum producer, Mark Bright who worked with artists such as Black Hawk and Rascal Flatts. In 1998 she was signed with EMI Music Publishing as a staff writer. This is where she met her future husband, Phil Vassar, who soon after signed a record deal with Arista Records and began his pursuit of Country Stardom. With two children, a rather non-conventional lifestyle and a busy husband, Julie has managed to balance the worlds of family and career. During this time, she has co-written a total of 9 songs on Phil’s various releases on Arista Records, including the #3 smash hit, “That’s When I Love You” in which she was awarded an ASCAP Songwriting Award.
Julie is the co-writer of the new theme song “Live for Today” on NBC’s #1 rated morning show, “The Today Show.” “Live for Today” will be premiering in theaters nationwide and on “The Today Show” in the spring of 2005. She also has had multiple cuts as a writer/solo artist in television and film, including ABC Family Channel’s “See Jane Date”, Warner Brother’s “Summerland”, “Gilmore Girls”, Lifetime’s “She’s Too Young” MTV’s “Laguna Beach” and “Desert Saints” starring Keiffer Sutherland and “Serving Sara” starring Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley. Julie also co-wrote a National Wal-Mart Literacy theme song, titled: “Words Are Your Wheels” featuring: Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, and Phil Vassar. She has had various outside cuts on Country, Pop, and Christian major label recording artists like Jessica Andrews and Mindy McCready to name a few. Recently she could be heard singing a J.C. Penney national advertisement that debuted on the 2004 Academy Awards.
In their wildest dreams, neither Lee nor Julie could have predicted the next turn of events, but in 2004 divine intervention was at its best when their paths crossed. Instantly, the two developed a strong bond and friendship, strengthened by a mutual respect for each other’s talents. They soon discovered that their vocal harmony blend had a unique and honest sound. Since they both had children, they understood the reality of trying to balance career and family. Lee and Julie each had a common drive and desire to continue their pursuit of music in spite of the challenges and stigma that our culture places on women who choose to do both. Hence, the two became one and “The Mamasitas” were born!
Lee’s voice, colored with a bluesy country energy intertwined with Julie’s pure folksy vibe introduces a vintage brand of country music to Music City. No doubt, their life experiences penned in their songs will strike a chord with the masses. Writing with women in mind, their music contains song
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