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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 (955 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".
Thank you for those kind and much appreciated words Melvil! I am sending you a giant hug and look forward to the day when I can do that in person ;)
I want to add my heartfelt "THANK YOU" to Shelly's. To all those people who were insightful and gracious enough to pledge toward the release of this CD, I am eternally grateful. Shelly's talent and remarkable songwriting abilities have affected me as no other music ever has. Shelly, go forth and astound us!