Abilene is a collective of artists whose cinematic compositions marry classical and modern elements with an emphasis on narrative storytelling. Abilene’s sound is shaped by the influences of great composers, authors, spirited conversation, and copious amounts of coffee. Their artistry is driven by the belief that music should serve, inspire, and elevate the soul.
The core instrumentation of Abilene includes an upright piano with the front exposed, violin, cello, vocals, synthesizers, percussion and a variety of everyday items i.e. glassware, bottles and any items that will enhance their synthesized sound and create layers. Abilene's possibilities lay between the modern and classical. Through experience they have discovered that the use of electronics, percussion, household items, and singing on top of traditional textures is engaging, timely and allows for imaginative narrative through our compositions. They have been successful in placing their music in film and TV and creating a catalogue that music supervisors can choose from when looking for music to fit their projects.
Abilene recently released a new song with Chloë Agnew of Celtic Woman created for placement on film and television. ‘Waves’ is available for licensing on Music Bed.
The members of Abilene include Joshua Spacht,-keyboards, Katie Foto - violin & vocals, Gaylyn Foto,- cello & David Molina -synthesizers. Chloë Agnew is available as a guest artist on the performances.
An International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year, Balsam Range, has become one of the genre’s most award-winning acts with many awards over 15 years including Vocal Group of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Bass Player of the Year, several Song of the Year awards, Mandolin Player of the Year and many more accolades. Since forming in 2007, the group has garnered 15 IBMA awards on the heels of 8 critically-acclaimed albums. Balsam Range has left audiences spellbound while headlining major festivals from coast-to-coast, selling out venues across the nation and in multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. The band collaborated with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble to record 2 albums, the second of which, Mountain Overture, debuted on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart at #5 and the Classical Crossover Chart at #6. Their previous outing, Mountain Voodoo, debuted at #4 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart and remained on that chart for 45 weeks. Three singles from that album reached #1 on the Bluegrass Today Chart, including Blue Collar Dreams, which spent three consecutive months at the top. Their song Richest Man remained at #1 in the Bluegrass charts for over 4 weeks followed by Grit and Grace. The follow-up album, Aeonic debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and spent 46 total weeks on the chart. In 2023 a new album, Kinetic Tone featured the number #1 tune “That’s What The Years Do”, the second single, “Snake Charmer” topped at #3, and the third release single “We’ll All Drink Money” hit the #2 spot.
Consistently nominated for IBMA awards, Balsam Range received a nomination in 2019 for Collaborative Recording of the Year with Burning Georgia Down and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble.
At home in Performing Arts Centers, festivals and with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Balsam Range transcends the bluegrass genre with ‘American Acoustic Music’ and brings to audiences all across America and Europe their unique brand of music and entertainment. __________________________________________________
Irish singer/songwriter Chloë Agnew gained fame for her integral part as one of the original and youngest members of the internationally acclaimed music group Celtic Woman. Born in Dublin, Ireland Chloë recorded her first album at the age of 12 and her second at the age of 14 when she was approached to join Celtic Woman.
To date Chloë is featured on a total of 14 Celtic Woman albums, with songs recorded in English, Gaelic, Latin, Japanese, Italian and German. The albums have sold more than eight million copies worldwide, all of which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s World Music chart. With the famed group she performed in sold-out concerts from Carnegie Hall-NYC, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Radio City Music Hall to arenas in Europe, Japan and Australia . She has performed with Celtic Woman on the US TV shows Dancing with the Stars, Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, Good Morning America and countless others.
After leaving the group 10 years later, Chloë went out on her own performing worldwide with orchestras, music groups, military tattoos and her previous solo show: Chloë Agnew: Live in Concert. She also tours with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra with several shows including the 10 year running An Irish Heart. For 2025 the Pops and Chloë are launching a new show, Across the Miles. For the holiday season Chloë entertains audiences throughout the Southeast with the Atlanta Pops in the Atlanta Pops Holiday Radio Show with Timothy Miller, Songs for a Winter's Night and next season the Atlanta Pops Orchestra announces a new holiday show with trumpeter, singer and Big Band entertainer Joe Gransden entitled So This is Christmas. Also touring is An Evening with Chloë Agnew and David Phelps. Chloë also tours with her band The Chloë Agnew Band and with a trio.
Chloë has become a favorite and recognizable personality for the University of Notre Dame, opening for the band Chicago at the Goodyear Notre Dame Cotton Bowl party, filming a Welcome Back Home video for the University’s return to campus for the 2021 -2022 academic year using her original song Written On My Heart, co-anchoring for Notre Dame Day and many other appearances.
She released a Christmas song, From Me to You and is a part of the SlaughtHER cover album with the song, On My Own . Additional original releases are coming soon.
Chloë Agnew continues to tour worldwide throughout the year. Her performances for the past four seasons with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra has brought her together with outstanding musical artists including: John Driskell Hopkins from Zac Brown Band, award-winning bluegrass group Balsam Range, IBMA Male Vocalist of the year Buddy Melton, Broadway’s Ryan Silverman, tenor Timothy Miller, and Dove and Grammy Award winner, David Phelps.
Performing fan favorites, Irish folk and pop, standards, originals, music from Broadway and the movies and more, Chloë Agnew makes an audience feel at home with her soaring voice and genuine personality.
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"Her powerful and uplifting voice and charming personality enchants an audience and leaves them with a feeling of revery and joy.”
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Six One Five Collective is a collaborative effort and creative brainstorm of four artists that are steeped in the musical mix of Country, Americana, Folk and Pop. Their sound is an undeniable wall of distinctive harmonies, vocal prowess, and solo voices that are reminiscent of those great American bands that have come before them; Fleetwood Mac, Little Big Town, etc. Their road show is an eclectic mix of original solo music, hit songs they've written for other artists, and high energy songs that are the 'Six One Five sound.'
They've toured around the world opening for John Legend, India Arie, John Hiatt, Kenny Chesney, and others. They've played the Grand Ole Opry stage, C2C and have toured extensively overseas. They are Nationally awarded artists and songwriters with three Grammy nominations and an IBMA Song of the Year honor. Their songs have been written for household names like Kelly Clarkson, Kesha, George Strait, Lee Brice, Ingrid Andress, Marc Broussard, Sister Hazel, and several TV shows such as Nashville, Parenthood and the Netflix show Virgin River.
The core group of Six One Five Collective includes Nicole Witt, Michael Logen, Sarah Darling, Aaron Goodvin. Additional collective members include Shelley Fairchild, Emily Shackelton.
Scottish singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Griogair Labhruidh is a contemporary, experimental recording artist strongly rooted in tradition. Coming from a long line of Highland musicians, his music stems from a quest to express his insights and ideas about spirituality, belonging, nature, and creativity in a modern musical context, while paying homage to his Scottish heritage in his own personal way. Griogair is uniquely able to traverse largely untrodden ground combining Gaelic music with influences as eclectic as funk, soul, African music, hip hop and jazz.
An award-winning Gaelic singer, internationally recognised for his voice, Griogair has worked with Emmy & BAFTA award-winning composer, Bear McCreary, featuring on the 6th season main title and soundtrack of the global series sensation Outlander. He has shared the stage with the stalwarts of Celtic tradition and maintained a strong presence in the world music scene as a featured member of the multi-platinum record selling group, Afro Celt Sound System.
In 2022, Griogair will release his long awaited solo album Dàn, featuring guest performances by Alan Cumming, Julie Fowlis, as well as members of the ACSS. From the mountains of Glencoe and the shores of Skye, via Tibet, West Africa, and America, Dàn is an adventurous, contemporary collection of songs. Framing indigenous Gaelic mythology with rich, eclectic contemporary arrangements Dàn journals Griogair’s personal journey of of artistic discovery over the past several years.
For the 2023-2024 season the Atlanta Pops Orchestra will offer a highly anticipated evening of music featuring Griogair and special guest Chloë Agnew.
Chloe Agnew and Brian McGrane, Irish singer-songwriters first joined forces in 2017, an era during which releasing covers of popular songs on Youtube had gained significant momentum. After releasing a well-received cover of Coldplays Everglow, one cover turned into many. In 2021 Agnew and McGrane released their first original track Somebody Just Like You which went straight to the sad hour playlist curated by Spotify setting an official partnership in motion.
The Brave Collide, an adult-contemporary pop folk duo aspires to reintroduce a simple musical concept to a generation who may have forgotten the power of a performing duo. A free-flowing creative process helps them to write songs that connect to the soul of their listeners. The unique musical strengths that have brought them individual success; Chloe as a member of the international sensation Celtic Woman and solo projects and Brian, a sought after producer, singer-songwriter and keyboard player with groups such as Celtic Thunder and The Celtic Tenors, comes together in a synergy with the result being a powerful collision of art that carves it's own space in todays musical climate.
The Brave Collide represents the bravery of stepping out of your comfort zone, taking creative risks and baring your soul to the audience in the process. It is also a nod to the ever-evolving music industry into which the artists are forced to take brave leaps into the unknown in order to reap the rewards.
In addition to Spotify acknowledging the duo on their playlist for their first original release, The Brave Collide has garnered 10,000 monthly listeners during their first year as a duo.
As part of their touring they also hold singer-songwriter workshops for high school students, universities and adults who are interested in the songwriting process.
We don't get to repeat even one minute of our time here, but what if you could relive all the youthful energy and sonic celebration that was 1980s New Wave & FM Radio Pop: right here, right now?
Electric Avenue’s sound is so close to that of the original artists that in 2019 Warner Music issued a cease-and-desist for using Tears for Fears original recordings on their social channels. After hearing the complete live recording of Electric Avenue’s performance, Warner Music issued an apology to the band. Update: It happened again with Elektra Records (Howard Jones) and Mute records (Depeche Mode) in 2022. The band won all three.
What started out as a one-off gig in 2012, has turned into: 100 shows a year across the US; cruising international waters with The Walking Dead Cast (and fans), Kid Rock, The Impractical Jokers, and Pitbull; being joined on stage by Bobby Kimball (Lead singer of Toto), Little River Band, Talk Talk, Pat Benatar, plus other entertainers living out their 80s rock star dreams; and flying internationally to perform for clients and corporations. In 2019, Electric Avenue was hand selected as 'America's Best 80s Band' and flown to Asbury Park, NJ to help Bruce Springsteen, Gurinder Chadha, and New Line Entertainment launch the 80s centric feel-good music film of the summer, 'Blinded by The Light'.
Electric Avenue have performed with Paul Simon, Loverboy, Emmy Lou Harris, Idina Menzel, Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel, Dylan), Brian Blade, Lionel Richie, Little River Band, Michael Malarkey (Vampire Diaries), Daughtry, Zac Brown Band, Player, Sarah McLachlan, RENT (our singer performed the role of Roger Davis for 550 shows 2001-2004), Paula Cole, Tracy Chapman, Bobby Kimball (Toto) Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Edwin McCain, Robbie Dupree, Rita Wilson, Lindsay Ell, B-52s, Boston, Collective Soul, Mother's Finest, Sister Hazel, Yanni, Boyz II Men, & many more…
‘Every sound. Every nuance. Every time.’
The Joe Gransden 16-piece big band is quickly becoming one of the busiest groups on the jazz scene. Originally formed in 2009 Joe and the band have continued to build momentum and are performing numerous shows around the country. He has released 14 CDs under his own name including Close To My Heart produced by saxophone great Kenny G, and his recent release Go Getta, featuring a saxophone solo by Kenny G.
Renowned for the hard bop of his trumpet, Joe Gransden’s singing voice has been compared to Chet Baker. With his 3rd invitation to perform at the Blue Note in NYC and at Feinstein’s 54 Below, Joe Gransden’s big band has enjoyed accolades from sold-out audiences all across the country including the Tehema Golf Club in Carmel, California (where Joe regularly plays events for Clint Eastwood).
He offers a variety of themed shows including Songs of Sinatra & Friends, Songs of Johny Mercer and Friends, Sound of the Big Band Era, I’ll Be Home for Christmas and more.
Joe’s band can be seen with several guest artists including the legendary blues singer Francine Reed and with Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins in the show COOL YULE from their holiday album You Better Watch Out!
Joe can be heard throughout the state and beyond playing smooth jazz with pianist Kenny Banks, or with the Joe Gransden Quintet and Joe Gransden Quartet. Whether it’s a concert stage, or ballroom dancing, Joe Gransden delivers an evening of unparalleled entertainment.
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“Joe has the inate ability to connect with an audience. His singing and trumpet playing are world class. Throw in his 16-piece big band and you have something very special.” - Smokey Robinson
“Joe is a young man with and old soul and a classic voice. He is a great new talent with a wonderful sense of humor to boot. And don’t forget, he plays a hell of a trumpet!” - Clint Eastwood
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Jenn Cornell is a performer, composer and educator, bringing cello across boundaries with her visionary style of playing, creating songs that stretch what a cello can be, and inspiring young musicians with her mentor approach to teaching. Jenn has had a diverse career as a professional musician from the age of 11. Since then, she has crossed over from classical into the genre bending music she creates today in performance, film scoring, and education of the arts.
She is often joined on stage by her drummer, Emrah Kotan, who has a skill and fire matching Jenn’s high energy and virtuosity to bring an exciting and progressive groove to the music. Original and well-known works are mixed into a hybrid of acoustic, electronic & percussive elements creating a mix of sound that is equal parts familiar & foreign.
Jenn Cornell’s cello stylings have also lended themselves well to other artist’s including: double platinum bill-board artist B.o.B.; Michael Malarkey of the hit TV series “Vampire Diaries”; and to film maker Chris Anthony Hamilton in the original music soundtrack she composed for “Body and Son”.
Her ability to cross over to all ages and genres is credited to her distinct sound and engaging on-stage visual. As a part of the innovative performance series at the world’s busiest airport, Jackson-Hartsfield International Airport, she gets to keep her finger on the pulse of not only Atlanta, but also connecting her to the world and her music to it.
As well as film scoring and recording, Jenn’s original music has been seen and heard with ballet companies and orchestras and she has been a focal point at the Big Sky Resort Vine and Dine Festival, Big Sky, MT for the past 5 years.
From chamber series and concert series to corporate events, clubs, recording, film scoring, festivals, colleges, universities and educational programs; Jenn Cornell creates a landscape of color with her mesmerizing cello and electric cello sounds.
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Timothy Miller performs with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra in a variety of programs including A Salute to the Veterans, a highlight for the month of November and May with patriotic music and an acknowledgement to our veterans and the Armed Forces. For the holiday’s Mr. Miller will travel with the Pops and former and original Celtic Woman, Chloë Agnew in Winter Wonderland and Atlanta Pops Orchestra Holiday Radio Show - LIVE! featuring The Holly Hollies (Timothy Miller and Chloë Agnew.)
Mr. Miller is an active performer with both national and international credits with operatic roles including; Mozart’s Die Zauberflӧte, The Life and Times of Malcolm X, Verdi’s Aida, Parpignol in Puccini's La Boheme, and the role of Crab Man in Porgy and Bess at the Opéra-Comique in Paris and on tour in Luxembourg, Granada, and Normandy. Concert performances include tenor soloist in Beethoven's ninth symphony, Mendelssohn's Lobegesang, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Magnificat, and a concert version of excerpts from Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Perhaps most widely recognized for his stirring renditions of “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch of Atlanta Braves home games, Miller has extended his exposure well beyond the concert stage. Soloist for two Georgia Gubernatorial Inauguration Ceremonies, featured artist promos for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, and featured artist in The Atlantan Magazine “Patrons and Players” rounds out a growing list of memorable career highlights. In addition to being a sought after performer Mr. Miller is also an Assistant Professor of Voice and Music at his alma mater Morehouse College.
If in Georgia you can also see Mr Miller in a TV spot for the Atlanta Braves showing his comedic side!
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ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA TECH RIDER - A SALUTE TO THE VETERANS WITH TIMOTHY MILLER
ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA TECH RIDER - ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE MERRY w/CHLOË AGNEW
With a rich history spanning seven decades, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra has captivated audiences throughout the world with a diverse repertoire of popular music.
Equally adept performing pop, jazz, folk, hip-hop, light classical, country and more, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra challenges the expectation of what an orchestra is capable of delivering. The Pops has found it’s niche connecting artists and developing shows for performers such as former and original Chloë Agnew, John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band, chart-topping group and IBMA entertainers of the year Balsam Range and tenor Timothy Miller as well as performing with hip-hop group Arrested Development , Beatboxer Heav’N Beatbox, rocker Michelle Malone and country singer Katie Deal.
In addition, the Pops has two regular series in the Southwest; the Bernardi Family Series at the Oxford Performing Arts Center, Oxford, AL, a new series and Sunday Pops for the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, Roswell, GA . These series allow the pops to perform with artists such as Broadway’s Sutton Foster, Ashley Brown, Doug Lebrecque, Craig Schulman, Lisa Vroman, rocker Dennis DeYoung of Styx, blues singer Oleta Adams and many more.
Under conductor Dr. Jason Altieri the Pops has been seen performing in Performing Arts Centers throughout the South and Midwest as well as Taiwan and China. They have had great success with two smaller ensembles, utilized by John Driskell Hopkins, Balsam Range and Chloë Agnew.
The Pops recently released two albums, In the Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays recorded by Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins and Mountain Overture by bluegrass group Balsam Range. The Balsam Range, Atlanta Pops collaboration has garnered a nomination for the IBMA Collaborative Recording of the Year for 2019 with the song Burning Georgia Down, further highlighting the versatility of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra.
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