Album Notes

Chelsea Richardson and Freddy Bradburn

Winners of the 2004 Mountain Stage New Song Festival Songwriting Competition, Freddy and Chelsea have been performing together for about two years. The New Song Festival competition earned them a spot on "Mountain Stage" the successful and highly respected live radio show broadcast all over the world on National Public Radio International. Their winning song "Cartoonland," which is on their new CD Shining Alone, is called "emotionally stunning" by Dan Keen of ASCAP. In an early review of the CD the Tribeshill Newletter states, "Poignant in its depth and scope Freddy has found a provocative way to communicate the often complex world of today's child with both empathy and wisdom. Chelsea's voice beautifully complements the songs that no adult could ever deliver with such disturbing yet delightful juxtaposition." Freddy has been writing songs in a variety of contexts for about 15 years. Songwriter, Cosy Sheridan says of Freddy's work, "Freddy writes songs like no one else in the world. His songs are little movies with great special effects. He is insightful, touching and hilarious. He is also warped. Wonderfully warped." Freddy also has several children's CD's based on collaborations with kids in schools as part of a variety of grant funded projects. This is where he met Chelsea.

Chelsea was in one of his songwriting groups when she was in the 4th grade. Impressed by the evocative sweetness of her voice and mature delivery, they began working on a project centered around a group of songs of Freddy's from the perspectives of young girls. Chelsea is the youngest of five children and she's been singing since she was six when she started singing with her father, John. She is now in the 8th grade at West McDowell Junior High in Marion, N.C., where is lives with her mother and stepdad, Teresa and Tommy Edwards.