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Update #11: InspireME PREVIEW! - Coming in 2 weeks - CHECKOUT THE MUSIC Today!
Hey Friends and Family-
-----> SCROLL DOWN to Check Out SNIPPETS OF THE First TWO SINGLES!! <-----
I pray this finds you living your dreams! After an incredibly busy, very productive few months, I am really excited to share updates with you about the InspireME CD! In just two weeks, I will release the InspireMEPreview: A select sneak-peek into the anticipated full album! Spectacular, lush, savvy and fantastically fresh only begin to describe this EP which features the original tracks “Inspire Me” and “Right Where You Are,” written exclusively by myself and producer Eric Johnson.
Since June, when you all blessed me with such incredible pledges, the InspireME CD has taken on dimensions beyond what I could have ever imagined! The music is original, powerful and ingenious! The producers, the musicians, and the engineers have poured countless hours into making the album first-class. What was done with your backing sounds like it was done with a high level budget from Sony-BMG (and who’s to say that’s not what’s coming! :-)
Because the project has shifted in scope, scale and importance, the KSE Team has adjusted the release timeline to Spring 2012. Certainly, the past few months have taught me not to rush the process of creating beautiful music!
All ten tracks were recorded on September 2-3, 2011, with the exception of the solo violin, horn and string arrangements, and post-production. We have a great amount of work to do, funds to raise and personnel to hire. I am in faith for a great publicist and an incredible distribution deal. If you have any references in these areas, send them this way!
In the meantime, get excited and get ready for the InspireMEPreview! All of the backers will receive their singles in just a few weeks (definitely worth the wait!) so please lookout for emails with instructions on how to download your MP3. More updates on the Kickstarter awards will follow shortly thereafter.
Again, my continued thanks for your love and support. InspireME is a fresh sound that will inspire you to reach for the incredible.
Blessings and Love,
Kersten
Update #10: Update on
Hey Beloved Backers!
(to see a pretty version of this update, click here --> http://ymlp.com/zL6MFs)
I pray you are having a warm and enjoyable summer! Since being blessed by your incredible outpouring of support from the Kickstarter campaign, I’ve hunkered down to writing, producing, arranging and rehearsing for the INSPIRE ME CD over the past 6 weeks! Here’s a quick update:
TIMELINE:
Recording Sessions Begin September 2
Mastering Sessions Conclude September 24
Kickstarter Backer Awards Start November 1
End of November: Official CD LAUNCH | Stay tuned for details!
Confirmed Featured Artists/ Band Members/ Arrangers:
Regina Carter (ummm… she’s REGINA CARTER :) - Miki Hayama (Nnenna Freelon/Aretha Franklin) - Damien Seed (Wynton Marsalis/Sunday’s Best Season 4) - Michael Olatuja (Oblique Sound Artist/Chrisette Michelle/Brooklyn Tabernacle) - Marvin Sewell (Cassandra Wilson/Liz Wright) - Paul John (Alicia Keys/ Hezekiah Walker) - Alicia Olatuja (Brooklyn Tabernacle/Juilliard Jazz/BeBe Winans) - Patrice Covington (“Effie” Dream Girls Broadway Tour) - Melissa Bell (JJ Hairston/TBN)
. . . Kickstarter NEWS!
Over the past few weeks, you have received SURVEY requests. In order to process some of the awards, we require additional information from you. If you want to get your award, you must complete the survey. PLEASE DONIT FORGET TO FILL OUT YOUR SURVEY!
Also... Many have continued to show their support since the end of the campaign. You can still take advantage of the awards!! -- Get the advanced, autographed copies of the CD, posters, exclusive webcast concert, personal happy birthday message and more! -- Simply send an email to ks@kerstenstevens.com with your desired pledge amount. Then, we’ll send you all the info you need to become a beloved backer! Every dollar counts!
Again, my continued thanks for your love and support. INSPIRE ME will be music to your ears and will indeed make every one of you proud to be a backer!
Blessings and Love,
Kersten
Update #9: THANK YOU!!!
Good Evening InspireME Backers -
I want to take this moment to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of love, support and generosity that you have shown me. From the very first backer to the last, from $1 to $5,000, every pledge was a blessing to my heart! What touched me most was to have so many backers from so many different facets and experiences of my life! This group is literally a culmination of life inspiration at work! Together, you have given me an incredible gift and one of the greatest opportunities of my of my career! For the first time as an independent musician, I can create and record with a true budget. I can spend all my time making sure this CD is musically tight, right, passionate and fantastic, and delegate logistics to others! The world is at my fingertips! I am inspired, encouraged and giddy! I am looking forward to all that God will continue to do with this amazing project!!
Quick FYI: In the coming weeks, you will receive what Kickstarter calls "surveys". These questionnaires will be used to gather information necessary for the delivery of your respective awards (i.e. email, t-shirt size, or birthday).
Musical timeline: We are going into full music production over the next few weeks (now that I don't have to spend five hours a day abusing EVERY form of communication media to raise a successful $19,311 !! woo hoo!). I wrote three new potential songs yesterday!! I plan to go into the studio as soon as Kickstarter funds are received (approximately 3 weeks from now).
Again, my continued thanks. I will keep you all updated in the the coming weeks about our progress. Please keep the project and everyone involved lifted in prayer. I hope to have special announcements and previews coming over the next month.
YOU HAVE INSPIRED ME!
With sincerest -- ecstatic -- excuse me while I do a praise dance -- THANKS,
Kersten
Update #8: WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!!
For backers only,
Posted on June 28, 2011
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Update #7: We're Being FEATURED~
Hey Everyone!
Just a quick note to say THANKS to my backers and THANKS to those who have supported me with word of mouth and FB!!
I wanted to let you all know that I've been featured in two very well-viewed blogs this week. Check them out below. Don't forget to make your pledges today!
#1 - LANCE DRUMMONDS MUSIC BLOG: THIS VIOLINIST HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME
This violinist has been such an inspiration to me. She played alongside me during my live performance of “Share My Heart Again” at SOBs - Watch how she MURDERS it: “Share My Heart Again”
Be part of greatness and support her new project very simply by clicking here: Support Good Music — she needs your help to make a new record and trust me when I say, she is worth it.
#2 - THE BLACK GOSPEL BLOG: HELP GOSPEL VIOLINIST KERSTEN STEVENS
Have you ever wanted to be part of the music biz? Gospel violinist Kersten Stevens needs your help to fund her next album. Kersten Stevens is a fabulous and amazingly gifted musician: Jean-Luc Ponty meets Gospel Pearls.
Join her by contributing to her Kickstarter campaign before June 29, 2011 at 12:40 p.m.: http://kck.st/kqx1B3.
193
Backers
$19,311
pledged of $18,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on June 29, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
As my thank you, you’ll get an mp3 download of a single from the new InspireME CD before its released AND you'll get a dose of my first inspiration -- an mp3 download of a new, unreleased recording of Master Blaster - my original arrangement (done when I was 16) first inspired me to pursue music! Only Kickstarter backers will get to enjoy :)
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
Get the MUSIC! You'll get a digital download of the full album before its released. [plus the above]
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
GET INSPIRED! You’ll be sent a signed, physical copy of the album before its released with a personal, handwritten "Thank You" note from me! Also included will be a really cool InspireME wrist-band designed by yours truly [plus everything above]. (For international backers, please add $5 to your pledge to cover shipping)
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
GET ACCESS! I'll be presenting a private web-cast concert for Kickstarter backers only! I'll play the entire InspireME album, with the band members and some special guests. I’ll talk about each song, answer questions live and have giveaways for viewers. [plus everything above]
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
GET ALL MY MUSIC! Receive autographed, physical copies of two of my other CDs -- Walks of Faith and The Gift. If you already have them, they will make great gifts! You’ll also get the mp3 download of my Night in Tunisia recording, released exclusively to Kickstarter backers. The recording features the Kersten Stevens Quartet, which includes some of the most talented, young jazz players in the NYC jazz scene. [plus everything above].
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
GET HAPPY! You'll get a the autographed InspireME project poster. Then I will send you a happy birthday greeting and my special violin rendition of Happy Birthday on your birthday OR on your behalf to a friend on his or her birthday. [plus everything above] See FAQ for more details.
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
GET GOLD! You will receive a Limited Edition Gold Album - Signed by all of the producers and artists involved in the project. AND, I’ll send you two bonus physical copies of the InspireME CD to give inspiration away as gifts! [plus everything above minus GET INSPIRED]
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
GET CLOSE! FAMILY Award #1: Get 2 VIP tickets for any one CD Release Event plus a personal 30 minute skype chat with me about the album. [plus everything above].
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
GET WISDOM! FAMILY Award #2: Get 2 VIP tickets for any one CD Release Event plus a 1 hour music lesson with me (a fantastic option for any musician or lover of music!) [plus everything above].
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
GET MINISTRY! I will come to your church and minister during the Sunday morning worship services. The church will be listed as a "Sponsor Who Inspires Me" in the liner notes of the album. Also get the Custom Designed "Inspired" T-shirt, the awards above and either Family Award #1 or #2, for the Pastors/ awardee.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
GET INSPIRATION! You’ll be listed as a "Sponsor Who Inspires Me" in the liner notes of the album AND you’ll get the Custom designed "Inspired" T-Shirt (fitted Women’s sizes AND Basic Tees available). PLUS you’ll get a digital download of my previously unreleased Just Friends MP3. It’s not available anywhere else! [plus all of the above and either Family Award #1 or #2.]
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
GET PERSONAL! Intimate Concert #1: I’ll perform an intimate, exclusive acoustic mini-concert at your personal home for up to 25 of your closest friends and family. The concert will include songs from the CD and three songs at your special request, arranged just for the occasion. ALSO -- Your name will be listed under the "Inspiring Partners" section on the Partners page of my NEW website - June 2011. [plus everything above and either Family Award #1 or #2]
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
GET PROFESSIONAL! Intimate Concert #2: Similar to the award above - for BUSINESS OWNERS: Your business and/or your name will be listed as an "Inspiring Business" on the Partners page of my NEW website - June 2011. Your logo will appear and the listing will link to your own website. ALSO, I’ll perform an intimate, exclusive acoustic concert at your personal home OR your place of business for your closest friends, family and employees. Give them a treat for working so hard for you! [plus everything above with either Family Award #1 or #2].
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
GET LIVE MUSIC! I’ll come and perform in concert with my band at your church or organization! I will also minister during the Sunday Worship Service and will do a 30 minute Q&A with the youth and young adult ministries, prior to the concert. [plus everything above, either Family Award #1 or #2, and minus Intimate Concert #1 and #2].
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
GET IT ALL! Be listed as a producer of the album! Your name will appear as a producer on the OUTSIDE back cover of the album. You’ll get to spend a day in the studio during one of our sessions and have lunch with the band [travel not included]. You’ll receive 10 autographed copies of the album to share (and brag!) with family and friends. PLUS you’ll receive everything above, either of the Intimate Concerts #1 or #2, either Family Award #1 or #2, and minus the public church concert. Oh, and lest I forget, my utmost gratitude and thanks, for many years to come.
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Connected as Kersten Stevens (1398 friends)
The multi-talented jazz and gospel Violinist Kersten Stevens is “a remarkable innovation of the classical gospel convention. Fun. Lively. Spirited. Incredible!“ (Bowed Radio). Kersten’s musical journey began with classical violin instruction at the age of three. She began studying and performing jazz, gospel and contemporary styles at age fourteen and has since been blessed to be the opening act for President Barack Obama, the legendary Ray Charles, appeared by request of Denzel Washington for the National Boys and Girls Clubs, appeared in 2005 as a featured soloist with Dionne Warwick and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, performed with world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, has studied with violinist John Blake, Jr., and has twice taken Showtime at the Apollo by storm, winning competitions in 2003 and 1999! A recent graduate of the Yale University Class of 2006 with a B.A. in Music and African American Studies, Kersten has excelled from a local star hailing from Stratford, Connecticut to a national buzz-worthy artist.
Kersten’s dynamic improvisational abilities have received a number of awards and recognitions. She was Connecticut’s Holla Back Video Awards’ 2007 Gospel Instrumentalist of the Year and 2008 Gospel Album of the Year Nominee. She was crowned the Hal Jackson's Talented Teen Miss Connecticut 2000 and International 1st runner up and in 2002 was the Gold Medal winner of the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics in the Music/ Instrumental Contemporary category. Also in 2002, she received awards from the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra for musical excellence and from Vivian Ayers-Allen and Phylicia Rischad for her musical accomplishments. Recently, she was awarded for artistic excellence by the Afro- American Cultural Center at Yale University.
Musically gifted. Talented. Poised. Violinist Kersten Stevens has distinguished herself as an artist who will make a significant impact in the world of music and beyond.
Make sure to check out the music! First is Right Where You Are. Second is the title track INSPIRE ME. Leave comments!!!
Congrats Kersten on reaching your goal.!!!
Can you please bless me with the information I can use to "Kickstart" a way to send three of my minor children to summer Science camp. The cost is $2,000.00 each, I'm a single parent and not working, therefore I'm praying for Help, please.
I'm a member of B.E.F.I.C - Thanks in advance for your help.