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Salvisa Southern gospel artist sings at Carnegie Hall

December 15, 2006|JENNIFER BRUMMETT

Tammy Norris still is pinching herself, weeks after finding out she would perform at Carnegie Hall.

The Salvisa resident and 1981 Lincoln County High School graduate said it is an exciting opportunity for her. It wasn't an easy task to accomplish.

"(Producing group) Christian Music Presenters is really getting involved with Southern gospel artists," Norris said. "Basically, they hold auditions and it's a very, very difficult process to go through to get an audition with them. It's made up of a panel of pastors and workshop leaders. You have to do 30 minutes of performance for them, plus there's in-depth questioning about your faith and your beliefs.

"They are the source that many promoters and special events such as Carnegie Hall and Southern Baptist conventions go to. ... A promoter can call (Christian Music Presenters) and say what they're looking for, and they know the pool of artists has been checked out."

Norris said she was approached at the National Quartet Convention in September about a special Christmas program that was being put together at Carnegie Hall.

"They were inviting a few groups - a couple of bluegrass bands - and also wanted a female soloist to do several numbers and carry the lead on some of the other music," Norris noted. "They went to Christian Music Presenters, who approached me in Louisville (at the convention)."

Norris said after several days of prayer, she decided the Carnegie Hall performance was an incredible opportunity and signed on for the Christmas concert.

"I'm pretty excited about it," she said. "It's really going to be a lot of fun."

Also performing Friday at Carnegie Hall will be Higher Vision Bluegrass Band of Somerset and hammered dulcimer soloist Charlene Helen Berry of Plymouth, Mich. The concert program highlights traditional Appalachian carols and folk songs.

Norris, who has been singing her whole life, records with Morning Star Records in Nashville, Tenn. She's completed three recordings for Morning Star. She tours all over the country.

"The main thing I like to do is fill my schedule up with churches to sing at," Norris noted. "A lot of churches in the area have not had me. Hopefully this will entice them. ... Hopefully this will help share the incredible blessing God has brought my way."

On the Web:

www.tammynorris.com

www.carnegiehall.org

www.ChristianMusic.com

Presenters.com

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