JUDY WELDEN BIO
Always writing songs and singing them from her heart, JUDY WELDEN is grateful for her gifts and gives GOD the glory for them. Now residing in northeast GA, Judy was born in PA, later moving to WV, MO, with the longest portion of her musical career in FL. Her natural harmony ability comes easily, having been able to hear and sing several parts at age seven (7) when she sang in church with her family. Judy has sung from numerous stages, including the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.
Soon after her first Christian album, FOREVER GRATEFUL, was released, Judy had several concert dates to perform the songs therein. One such concert was with MARVEL and they sang songs together including his hit of the 60's (LOVE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY) when he was the lead singer with the group MERCY. Judy penned seven (7) of the ten (10) songs on the album and the lyrics, mentioning which scripture verse inspired the song, are included. Her favorite song, however, is one written by BETTY JEAN ROBINSON called MY SAVIOR'S PRECIOUS BLOOD. Judy's version was chosen to be played on National TV on a show called WAKE UP AMERICA during the Easter holiday the year it was released. All songs but one have been released as singles and have charted on the MUSIC REVIEW chart out of New York. Several songs were released again in 2007 and GUIDE MY HEART & MY SAVIOR'S PRECIOUS BLOOD went as high as #6 & #3 respectively on the ROOTS GOSPEL CHART. In November of 2007, the first song on the CD (YOU ARE THERE FOR ME)went to #1 on that same chart and stayed there for a record 18 weeks! All glory is given to the LORD JESUS for this recognition....and for the awards listed below.
Ten (10) of the twelve (12) songs on her GRACE CD were written or co-written by Judy. Three (3) are sung as duets with her producer, PHIL COLEY, who co-wrote two (2) of the songs. Three (3) are co-written with her friend, RHONNIE SCHEUERMAN and two (2) are co-written with friend, TERRANCE ALAN, including the title cut, GRACE. Judy alone wrote three (3) of the songs and one was written by FRED LEONARD. Except for THE HEAVEN EXPRESS, which has been released as a single and charted at #2 in the fall of 2000, all the songs are new as of the year 2000. The first song on the album is a patriotic duet, (ONE NATION), co-written and sung with PHIL COLEY. This song along with two others, CHURCH CALLED THE RISEN SON and ABSTAIN - DON'T PLAY THE GAME, (which is dedicated to the youth of today), went to #1 on the MUSIC REVIEW chart. Last on the album is the Christmas song, WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE). Judy had so much faith that GEORGE BUSH would be elected President that she sent him the song ONE NATION the day before the election, telling him it was his "Victory Song". She was thrilled to later get a 'thank you' card from the White House! In January, 2007, ABSTAIN, DON'T PLAY THE GAME was released again, this time on WHP Records' Comp. CD. It stayed on the Roots Gospel charts for several months at #12, reaching #11 in the second week.
Over the years Judy has received many awards and nominations. In 1998 she received MOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST / NEW GOSPEL. Other awards are: INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RECORDING ARTIST OF THE YEAR, ALBUM OF THE YEAR, SONG OF THE YEAR, AMERICAN HORIZON and CO-WRITER OF THE YEAR. (1999). In addition...Judy has been named ARTIST OF THE 20th CENTURY with other Independent and Major singers and was inducted into the HALL OF FAME with ICMAG (INDEPENDENT CMA OF GERMANY) organization for the year 2000. Her most recent award was being awarded a HALL OF FAME trophy at the CCMA (Colorado Country Music Assn) Award ceremony in June, 2006.
With over three hundred fifty (350) original songs to her credit, fourteen (14) artists have recorded her songs as well as Judy herself. She enjoys promoting other songwriters with her two publishing companies and started the TREASURE COAST SONGWRITERS ASSN. (TCSA) in 1993, was the director for four (4) years and served as Advisor for five (5) years. In 1995 she started FIRP (FAIRNESS IN ROYALTY PAYMENTS) to appeal to BMI and ASCAP concerning equality in royalty payments.
Judy performed in concerts and sang with the band at CHRIST FAMILY FELLOWSHIP in Port St. Lucie, FL. She and her husband, Bill, have relocated to Gainesville, GA. Judy joined the Gainesville FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH and enjoys the fellowship at the 'LIVING WATERS' PRAISE service. She shares her gift of music there and looks forward to performing at special functions of other area churches as well. Judy's albums may be purchased at CDBaby.com with individual songs purchased digitally... as well as on her myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/judyweldenmusic.
For bookings: 770 503-0096 (ph/fax) or email: judywelden@bellsouth.net - http://www.judywelden.com
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