About this project
If you listen as she confesses If you watch her as she undresses If you can touch her maybe she’ll reveal What only she possesses ~from "Beautiful and Burdened" by Shelly Phelps
ABOUT ME My name is Shelly Phelps and I’m from Oklahoma City. I am quite passionate about singing, songwriting, and performing and have done so all of my life. The greatest moments of my life are when I am connecting with an audience … of one or one-thousand, it has never mattered. Aside from the people I love and the quest to be a good person who tries to make the world a slightly better place …. music is the most important thing in my life. If you want to know a bit more, you can peruse my Kickstarter profile or visit my website.
ABOUT THE “BEAUTIFUL AND BURDENED ALBUM I plan to record and release “Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Secrets, Scandal, and Seduction”, a collection of jazzy, soulful songs influenced by themes of censorship, morality, art, and passion. “Beautiful and Burdened” is based on both historical and mythical characters and settings; a mix of lies and truth. I'll visit speakeasies and burlesque halls, walk along wet pavements of a dark city street, trek through the deserts of Death Valley, across the headlines of the Red Scare, and climb a spiral staircase into an attic full of secrets.
I’d love to take you with me.
The songs are already written, however, this journey requires that I raise funds for recording, mastering, and manufacturing the CD, so I’m launching a fundraising campaign at Kickstarter on January 16, 2011 and need to raise $5,000 to reach my destination.
How will the money be used? Glad you asked … this is how it breaks down:
♦ Recording Studio and Engineer - $2,000 ♦ Musician Fees - $1,000 ♦ Mixing and Mastering - $800 ♦ Manufacturing and Printing - $1,200 *I’m a graphic designer so there will be no design fees!
ABOUT YOU (Top 10 Characteristics of the B&B13 Pledger) The results of a top-secret scientific study reveal the following traits about the person who will help release my CD. Does this sound like you?
10. You are partial to a soulful, seductive voice (with an ever-so-slight Okie accent) 9. You prefer your history with mystery and your facts mixed with fiction 8. You enjoy witnessing the creative process and behind-the-scene details 7. You dig jazz, blues, and soul music, but… 6. … you know good music can’t always be defined with a mere label 5. You like peeking beneath the surface 4. You know the truth when you hear it (even when it’s revealed within a lie) 3. You like songs about secrets, scandal, and seduction 2. You understand that YOU can take art from inspiration to completion 1. You are extremely good-looking, sexy, interesting, and intelligent
ABOUT THE REWARDS Pledges start at only $1 and gradually increase up to $1,000. Some of the various rewards you might receive are:
♦ Access to an exclusive, interactive, behind-the-scenes blog ♦ Personalized note of gratitude ♦ Name listed on website and in liner notes of the CD ♦ Digital downloads with PDF booklet of the CD artwork ♦ Autographed advanced copy of “Beautiful and Burdened” CD ♦ Custom T-shirt and autographed poster ♦ Limited-edition custom pendant (named for the CD) ♦ Autographed copy of my previously released CD “Girl on the Wire” ♦ Invitation to V.I.P. meet-and-greet/listening party ♦ Executive producer credit in liner notes ♦ Private house concert (and I’ll bring the dessert) ♦ Custom digital scrapbook (like the one in the video) ♦ Business sponsorship (logo and website on CD, posters, blog and website) ♦ Got something else in mind? Graphic Design? Voice Lessons? EMAIL ME and let’s chat.
All the details of the pledge levels and rewards are listed on the right. - - >
VERY IMPORTANT! If I don't raise the full $5000 by March 16, 2011, this project will not be funded! The Kickstarter policy ensures that successful projects are fully funded and can be completed as planned … in other words, no one gets hurt. Will you help ensure our success by promoting this project to your friends? Beneath the video there are tools to help spread the word via Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Tumblr or Email.
AMAZON PAYMENTS (or not) Making a pledge through Kickstarter requires that you have an Amazon Payments account. It’s simple to set up but I do understand if you would just rather donate with cash, check or money order. No problem … just EMAIL ME and we’ll make arrangements for your pledge and your rewards!
So, if you want to hear the music that I want to make … I think we can make a great team! I’m kind of in love with you already.
~Shelly
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 17, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
The minimum contribution grants you access to an exclusive, interactive, behind-the-scenes blog that follows the making of “Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Secrets, Scandal, and Seduction”. I’ll share lyrics, demos, stories behind the songs, interviews, contests, video, and more! It's a private blog so be prepared to share some secrets :-)
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
All of the above, plus you will receive a digital download of five (5) MP3’s from “Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Secrets, Scandal, and Seduction” prior to public release. I'll send you a personal note of gratitude and list your name on my website and in the liner notes of the CD as a backer of the project. I’ve spent $5 on a latte …. this is a much better deal.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
All of the above, plus the digital download will include all thirteen (13) MP3’s from “Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Secrets, Scandal, and Seduction” prior to public release and a PDF booklet of the CD artwork. The rewards just keep getting sweeter.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
All of the above, plus an autographed copy of the CD, “Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Secrets, Scandal, and Seduction” prior to public release. This is where it starts heating up.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
All of the above, plus an autographed poster with artwork from the album cover and an autographed copy of my previously released, “Girl on the Wire” CD. And I’m going to hug you … long and hard.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
All of the above, plus an invitation to a V.I.P. meet-and-greet/listening party after the CD is completed. I’ll also record a video greeting for you to send a loved one … with the song and message of your choice (great for birthdays, Christmas, marriage proposals, Valentines Day, or whatever you can dream up!) OK, this is starting to get exciting.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
All of the above, plus your choice of a custom T-Shirt in your size with artwork from the album cover, OR a limited-edition “Beautiful and Burdened” resin pendant, designed by Shelly (necklace or keychain). You will also receive an additional, autographed copy of “Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Secrets, Scandal, and Seduction”. I’ll more than likely kiss you full on the lips when I see you.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
OPTION I: All of the above, plus a private, acoustic concert for you and your friends, in your home or the location of your choice within a 100 mile radius of Oklahoma City (I’ll bring the dessert!) and your name will be listed as “executive producer” in the liner notes of the CD. OPTION II: If you live outside the 100 mile radius and don’t wish to pledge more, I’ll arrange a private, live performance and chat just for you and your friends via UStream. I’ll also build you a custom digital scrapbook (like the one in my Kickstarter video) with all your favorite photographs and mementos, set to your favorite song. At this point, I will probably begin referring to you as my “Sugar Daddy” or “Sugar Mama”.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP: You'll get access to the exclusive blog, one autographed copy of ““Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Secrets, Scandal, and Seduction”, an autographed poster, an invitation to the V.I.P. meet-and-greet/listening party, and your business will be listed as a sponsor on my website, blogs, CD booklet, and posters. I will also tweet about your business from the mountain top.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
OPTION I: All of the above from Option I, except the private, acoustic concert will be within 300 miles of Oklahoma City. OPTION II: If you live outside the 300 mile radius and don’t wish to pledge more, well … I don’t actually have an Option II reward for this pledge, but I’m open to your ideas. What about singing or performance lessons via Skype? Did you know I’m also a graphic designer? How about some graphic design services? Email me; let’s chat. From now on, we will be exchanging knowing looks and sharing inside jokes.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
OPTION I: All of the above from Option I, except the private, acoustic concert will be within 600 mile radius of Oklahoma City. OPTION II: If you live outside the 600 mile radius … tell me, what would a $1000 pledge be worth to you? I sing, write and perform … and I love sharing and teaching others! I’m a dreamer and I have a feeling you are a dreamer too. Email me; let’s dream something up together.
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
All of the above, plus I’ll seriously have your baby … and give it a T-shirt.
Project By
Connected as Shelly Phelps (918 friends)
Oklahoma City songstress, Shelly Phelps, is alternately categorized as a sultry rhythm and blues chanteuse, a torchy jazz singer, or a thoughtful singer songwriter. However, her ever-present smoky and soulful voice croons, moans, and belts its way through every song.
Shelly Phelps was raised on the traditional country and southern gospel played in her parent’s rural Oklahoma home. The music of her older siblings also played a role in shaping what would become Phelps’s trademark soulful vocals and confessional songwriting style. “My parents were playing Hank Williams Sr while my sister was listening to 70’s singer songwriters like Simon and Garfunkle. My brothers had some Beatles and Rolling Stones albums. It all found it’s way into my music, but it was Rhythm and Blues, Motown, Soul and Jazz that spoke to my heart and altered my musical course. I fell madly in love with the music of Al Green, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Dusty Springfield, and Aretha Franklin.”
Phelps felt a pull to perform and express herself creatively at a very young age. “My grandfather was a musician” said Phelps, “He died when my Mother was a baby so I didn’t know much about him, but I knew he played fiddle and mandolin for town dances. I come from a huge family of musicians and music enthusiasts, so I know it is in my blood.” With music as her birthright, Phelps performed with a live band when she was only 6 years old. “I thought it seemed the most natural thing in the world, to be on stage singing.” reflects Phelps. She continued her musical path by starting her first band at the age of 15 and followed with a string of self-fronted bands such as The Rhythm Junkies and The Shelly Phelps Band.
Today, Phelps’s music is a blend of R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Rock. Reviews of her 2004 release, “Girl on the Wire” praised distinctive, smoky vocals, genuine soulfulness, and gutsy bravado. Her raw sensuality is delivered in “One More For the Road” and “Smoke and Perfume”, where she points out her own contradictions. She dares her lover to stay in “Holding the Door”, and suddenly you are in the seat next to her on a bus in the middle of a snowstorm in “Lonely Ride”. The title track commands us to “step right up, come on in, if you dare to look within” as Phelps allows us to take a peek into her own passions and insecurities.
In 2005, Phelps founded "The Oklahoma Songwriters Circle", a network of songwriters of all genres, ages, and experience who meet monthly to share their music and to celebrate the craft of songwriting. She recently launched a local GoGirls Chapter, an organization that promotes, supports, and empowers indie women in music through education and networking.
Phelps took a brief hiatus to join the cast of Carpenter Square Theatre's Fall 2010 production of "Sordid Lives", a play by award-winning playwright Del Shores. She portrayed guitar-slinging, ex-con singer, Bitsy Mae Harling in a tale of three generations of a family gathering for a funeral in a small Texas town.
This performing singing songwriter continues to find her audience through gripping and earthy lyrics, powerhouse vocals, and a steady stream of emotionally-connecting performances. Phelps is currently recording her jazz-influenced CD, "Beautiful and Burdened: 13 Vignettes about Seduction, Scandal, and Secrets".
