News! 2nd Album in the works! Coming 2012! Kickstarter.com Video in early December 2011! Look for it and be a part! Get rewards!
Upcoming! DECEMBER ISSUE 2011 – Look for upcoming feature of EHM Eleventh Hour Messengers in Surrender Magazine online!
Current! November 2011 – EHM Eleventh Hour Messengers “A Christmas Tune” is a Nominee for the Contemporary Christian category Hollywood Music In Media Awards. In 2010, Eleventh Hour Messengers was also a Nominee for their songs “Least Of These” and “Mercy Again” !
The Jesus car in the ARCA series - development for Nascar - EHM’s music is now being distributed to Fans of Rocky Flanigan!
The Radio Cafe Reverbnation Indie Music Countdown features EHM Eleventhhourmessengers song which climbed to #6 in the top ten in 3 weeks: "Least Of These"
2010 “Wake To Grace” – 1st Album by EHM Eleventh Hour Messengers to inspire and spur your personal relationship with Jesus Christ! Its foundations were etched in years of learning and growing in a new understanding of what this really means.
Background - From the quite country road of 2nd Avenue in a small town called Los Molinos, California, passersby could hear gospel music coming from a then tiny 8 year old girl, fingers racing across the keyboard in a whirlwind of power and grace, practicing for the next family concert! Shauni Williams, now married 23 years to lyricist, vocalist, theologian, and ex-Analyst, Grant Williams, and mother of two adult children, Ryan and Erica, was the second to youngest of four kids and daughter of Ron and Shandra. Together, this six pack made an impact for God as The Ron Greenlaw Family Gospel music ministry in the 70‘s and 80‘s. Shauni recalls people looking at her hands after a concert, wondering how all that music came out. Shauni was too small to reach the pedals and keys at the same time, so her father made her a special platform and she wore high heels as an extension of her feet. She would brace herself with one leg wrapped around the bench so she wouldn’t fall off in her vigorous playing that left people praising and giving glory to God. Her piano style developed as an outcome of small hands that, at the time, could not reach an octave. So Shauni learned to compensate with broken cords and runs. It was not a life of luxury, as the family of six traveled from church to church, schools, and community venues, usually staying in host homes with just enough money to get to the next church.
1977- Shauni was the guest artist and played a piano solo for the Heritage Singers Concert at the Redding Convention Center at the age of 9!
1979 Highlights- included playing in Nashville, TN, Opryland Hotel, Gospel Music Convention, at the Artist Showcase. There, Shauni met and played for DINO KARTSONAKIS. Shauni was also scheduled as a guest pianist on the Jonny Cash Christmas Special that year, but the show was cancelled.
In 1985, Shauni won a National Talent competition, playing a two minute excerpt of Grieg’s Concerto Ops.#16, as Miss California National Teen-Ager, in Atlanta Georgia. Shauni remembers raising thousands of dollars to participate and flying back for a week with $2 in her pocket. She was featured in Listen Magazine and sponsored by major corporations, including Bank of America. Soon after, as a victim of a violent crime, Shauni’s musical path and spiritual life went off course. However, God was faithful and brought her to a new understanding of Him in 2000 through a wonderful pastor, Lane Zachary. Grant and Shauni suffered set-backs from accidents and were seeking God in a way they had never done before, after working in Management careers with MPA degrees from California State University, Chico. Lane became instrumental in guiding Grant towards his calling in ministry, which Grant felt as a young boy, but coming from a non-believing family and troubled home life, had no support to pursue until he left home and went to a Nazarene college in Idaho. Together, Grant and Shauni participated in praise team worship leadership activities for over eight years at a Nazarene Church. Today, Grant is completing his ordination requirements as God leads him in an evangelistic path.
In 2008, Shauni began seeking God more than ever as her career as an HR Executive experienced another setback. Looking for a deeper purpose, Shauni was blessed and inspire to write again by a Steven Curtis Chapman concert, and the rest is history. Grant and Shauni began writing songs together, not knowing exactly where it might lead. As they stepped forward, more doors kept opening and in 2010, the opportunity to record their original songs became reality.
Discography
2010 “Pre-Release EP”
2010 “Wake To Grace” Album
2010 “A Christmas Tune” - The Single
What has happened so far - In 2011, EHM Eleventh Hour Messengers was selected by Extreme Tour 2011 for "The Objective" artist development week out of thousands of applicants. They are featured on KBZZ Christian Radio, Christianfrontline Magazine, IMRadio, and podcasts on New Artist Radio Network. I AM Entertainment (IAM) Magazine published a review of the the album "Wake To Grace" (July 19, 2011). Indie Ignite Conference is distributing "Mercy Again" as part of their Radio Single Compilation, which was sold out! Eleventh Hour Messengers was recently featured in the New Music Exclusive CCM Indie Artist Newsletter for August 2011.
2010 marked in incredible first year for EHM with three releases: “Pre-Release EP”, “Wake To Grace” Album, and “A Christmas Tune” (The Single). Other 2010 highlights include Song Of The Year (Semi-Finalist), Nominee for Hollywood Music in Media Awards, and being featured on Itickets and Christian Frontline Magazine!
Influences – Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Dino Kartonakis, Third Day, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp
So what’s next? God willing…a second album, live performances, more songwriting, radio promotion, and ministry.
Special Thanks - to Bruce Turgon of After Hours Recorders, co-producer and multi-instrumentalist on Eleventh Hour Messengers three 2010 releases. Much thanks to Rick Hill, guitars.
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