Album Notes

Nicole McKenna is a New York-based singer/songwriter. Born in NYC and raised in Long Island, NY, Nicole has been writing songs from an early age. Coming from a family of musicians, she remembers her early exposure to the world of music. "I grew up in a family of musicians. The living room was always set up for some kind of band rehearsal with mic cables and drum kits and amps all over." Nicole continued to pursue songwriting throughout high school and on through college. After college, she spent some time in Nashville, TN, before returning to NY where she began writing most of the material for her self-titled debut CD.

"Nicole's debut record, with its insightful lyrics, infectious melodies, and guitar-driven hooks, is downright awesome. If singer-songwriter Nicole McKenna keeps on making records like her eponymous debut, her name won't remain a secret for long," says Rick Petreycik of Performing Songwriter Magazine. On her debut self-titled CD, produced by Saul Zonana (Halfman Wonder, Blue Oyster Cult, Luv Junkies), Nicole has clearly accomplished the rare task of defining her own sound.
On her follow up album "Stay Awhile" (released November 9th, 2002), she continues to do just that. Nicole's music has been described as "Sultry, haunting and beautiful..." and "A perfect mix of subtlety and melody." Nicole's live performances have become her NY trademark. She's a regular headliner at The Living Room, CBGB's and The Bitter End. One writer quipped "Nicole has never disappointed live, her voice is even more effective in the intimate settings of a small venue, making her one of the city's (New York) best kept secrets." The success of her debut self-titled CD earned her a place on the Performing Songwriter Compilation CD #8, and features in the magazine of the same name, while her follow up CD begins to receive the same accolades.

Nicole says of creating the new album, "It was amazing to work with all of the people who became involved in this project. To have so much talent contributing to this record, they all brought the music somewhere I had never envisioned." Produced by Saul Zonana, "Stay Awhile" lives up to the incredible cast of industry players who played on the album. Saul Zonana – production, bass, keyboards, programming, Andrew Carillo-guitars (Joan Osborne), Jack Petruzzelli-guitars (Rufus Wainwright, Joan Osborne), Kevin Hupp - drums, percussion (Patty Griffin, Rufus Wainwright), Tom Hammer-piano, keyboards (Family Stand), Kevin Jenkins-bass (Cyndi Lauper), Julia Kent-cello (Sheryl Crow, Matthew Sweet), Barry Hartglass-upright bass, Doug Beck-programming. The CD was recorded at 20/20 Music in NY, and Acme Studios in Mamaroneck, NY and mixed at A-Pawling Studios in Pawling,NY.