Renewal Artists: News

Matt Matthews won the 2010 First Novel Prize as presented by the South Carolina Arts Commission. Matt's novel "Mercy Creek" will be published by Hub City Press in 2011. For more info, see "www.SouthCarolinaArts.com".

Be on the lookout for two new CD projects from the Renewal Artists before the end of 2010!

A follow up to "December Songs" is on the drawing board with all of the Renewal Artists committed to the project.

A new solo CD from Nicole Belanus is also forthcoming. It's tentatively titled "Broken Things". This acoustic project is being recorded in the warmth of Nicole's Williamsburg home.

Join Nicole Belanus and the Ricketts at the St. Bede Parish House in Williamsburg for First Night on New Year's Eve!

If you wish to order a copy of Loretta's "Finally" CD, please know that CD Baby is out of stock.

In the meantime, you may get it at www.amazon.com or i-Tunes.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Matt's latest CD is available at CD Baby and features The Cash Brothers (from True Blues); Greenville guitar great, Steve Watson and fellow Renewal Artist, William Ricketts

One of the more prolific Renewal Artists, Matt Matthews, will have a new CD out on the first week of November.

It's called "Quite a View" and features songs recorded in North and South Carolina.

Matthews worked with his group of usual suspects (Billy Ricketts in North Carolina & Virginia and Steve Watson & The Cash Brothers in Greenville).

Be on the lookout for more info on this fine CD within a few weeks.

The new Nicole Belanus CD titled "Notes on Paper" comes out on Saturday, October 24th.

Nicole is very busy playing live in support of this disc.

The CD release will be celebrated at the Montgomery Grill in Old Town, Portsmouth, VA on Saturday, October 24 at 7P.

Her opening act is fellow Renewal Artist, Loretta Ricketts. Nicole & Loretta will be joined by their all-star band featuring Steve Kolb, Billy Ricketts, Tom Scott and David Hufstedler.

We're hard at work on Nicole's new CD which should be out in October or November. This is a very solid project with exceptional songs. In addition to the usual suspects (fellow Renewal folks), we've added drummer, Tom Scott, to several tracks. It has been a joy to see these songs really come to life with the addition of "real drums". Be on the lookout for your personal invitation to the CD Release event in the near future!

A quick look at our web page (www.renewal-artists.com) highlights a very busy live performance schedule - especially for Nicole! We're extremely excited about a New Year's Eve Concert at "First Night" in Williamsburg where Loretta, Nicole & William will be performing live.

Finally, there's word on the street that Matt Matthews will also complete a CD within a month or so. Matt's project was recorded in South Carolina (with the Cash Brothers & former Bruce Hornsby guitarist, Steve Watson) and North Carolina at Doodle Pad III (with William Ricketts).

Please know that most of our material is available for download at i-Tunes and Amazon. If you ever have trouble finding our music, please let us know.

The Renewal Artists have drastically expanded the distribution network for "December Songs", "2008 Sampler" and Loretta Ricketts' "Finally" projects.

Effective immediately, downloads are available at Amazon.com, i-Tunes and cdbaby.com.

The CD products may be purchased at cdbaby.com or Amazon.com. When seeking the best retail pricing for these CDs, be sure to pay special attention to Amazon's "used" listings (where you can find this material factory sealed at great pricing).

Nicole Belanus has started her first solo project at Doodle Pad III. Initial basic tracking on 9 new songs has already been completed. The project looks to be a fascinating combination of musical styles and instrumental formats. Look for an early autumn release!

Matt Matthews is also in the home stretch on his latest CD. Matt has recorded this one in various studios (including the Doodle Beach Pad). Matt's material covers his typical full spectrum of styles (folk, jazz, etc.). Instrumental and vocal support comes from the usual suspects (Steve Watson, the Cash Brothers, William Ricketts) and a number of new recruits.

Our latest project "A Renewal Artists 2008 Sampler" will be available at www.cdbaby.com on the first week of May.

All Renewal projects will be available for digital download by June 1st at i-tunes, Amazon, etc.

More info as it becomes available!

Nicole won the 2009 Sea Level Emerging Songwriter Contest and will be doing a few radio interviews. Please see our calendar for details.

We've posted some samples of the new "A Renewal Artists Sampler 2008" on the MUSIC page.

Check out "The Other Side" by Nicole; "Long & Winding Road" by Loretta; and "Don't Give It Up" by Mr. Ricketts

Because we care so deeply... The Renewal Artists have produced a new web site to keep our peeps informed of our CD projects and news.