Seeing and hearing are two vastly different experiences when dealing with country music singer Debbie Hennessey. Seeing her portrait on the cover of her album, Rustic Heart, in no way prepares you for the rich, soulful voice that you hear when you pop this CD into the player. With a youthful, somewhat innocent appearance, it is hard to imagine Debbie Hennessey having such a powerful and talented voice.
Performing since the age of twelve, Debbie Hennessey studied voice in the San Francisco Bay area, while working as a solo artist and with local bands of every genre. It was when she moved on to Los Angeles to continue studies in voice; music and writing that she caught her big break. While doing a vocal demo for songwriter Renee Carly, Hennessey met Rye Record producer Rye Randa. Not only is Rye Randa the producer of Rustic Heart, she plays various instruments and performs back up vocals on many of the tracks. Carly also had some input, writing the songs If I Have To and Just Short of Glory, while providing back-up vocals for If I Have To.
The lyrics are purely country, talking about loves lost, hard times, love surrendered and the usual emotional roller coasters that make up country song lyrics. The music is mostly guitars, piano, and percussion – another staple of country music. What makes Rustic Heart so unique as a country music album is the voice of Debbie Hennessey. She pours emotion into every song and captures you with her soulful tones. There’s none of that annoying twang that tends to turn off non-country aficionados.
And I am definitely not the only fan of Debbie Hennessey. Cuts from Rustic Heart are enjoying international play. You can hear songs from the album over the airwaves in the United States, Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, France, and New Zealand. Rustic Heart has been included in the 46th Annual Grammy Awards Nominating Ballot six times, including four performances in the best vocal category.
Debbie Hennessey is most definitely an artist on her way up. Check out Rustic Heart from Debbie Hennessey at Amazon.com – you’ll be happy you did!
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