Album Notes

" I have been so blessed with some of the most fascinating people in my life." That's for sure! Raine (pronounced like a rainy day), started her career in fifth grade as the church soloist in the guitar youth choir. By seventh grade, she was the lead singer in her first band. By the time she was out of high school, she was booked every weekend for nearly two years at a time singing at weddings and special events all over the city. From there, Raine was in society bands, and performing in plays and musicals. Only to discover she loved being behind the microphone in the studio as well as live. While writing and performing TV and radio commercials for local and national corporations, Raine hit the stages with her favorite band, "Flyght". "It was the most awesome band. We had a female bass player, an Englishman on keys, a pilot on drums and Reggie Shell on guitar. Anne, the bass player, and I sang most of the songs. Our voices blended like instruments and the sound was indescribable." Interestingly, though, her influences didn't only stem from female singers like Barbara Streisand, Linda Ronstat and Donna Summer, but from many rock bands as well. "I loved, and still love, listening to Badfinger, The Doobie Brothers, Elton John, The Who, John Fogherty, Gary Pucket, The Beatles, all the Motown, and on and on and on. But her strongest influences came right from her family. Raine's Mother and Grandmother were both incredible singers. "My mother never stops singing. She sings like a bird morning, noon and night. It's amazing. My Grandmother had a billowing, full, big voice! She sang everywhere! Including stages representing her heritage, Slovenian. Yes! We're from Yugoslavia ... now Slovenia. I am a full blooded Slovenian. And, yes! I dance a mean polka!" But it didn't stop there. Her brothers were all musicians and her sister is a pianist, (and is now a music therapist). Without a doubt, Raine was born to sing. "My mother said, if there was music, Raine would sing it! When I think back, (she laughs!), I actually started performing in second grade ... in my Grandmother's kitchen!" Preparing for a talent contest in elementary school, Raine's opera-singing, multi-talented Grandmother taught her "Red Roses for a Blue Lady". Raine was paid five cents to sing the song for the family in her Grandmother's kitchen! I bet you can guess who won the contest! "My Grandmother was such an icon in my life that I tried to pattern my life after her. At 88 years old, she was still singing in the church choir .. without a microphone. She passed away on her 90th birthday. I'll never stop missing her." For years Raine continued singing, writing and performing. She was compared to, and known as, 'The Donna Summer of Cleveland'. "That was quite an honor. When I moved to Nashville, I actually stood in line behind her at a local restaurant. She said hello to me!" But her career took a major turn when she decided to move to Nashville. "When you're actually inside the industry, it's like going back to kindergarden. I started all over again." While attempting a country music career, Raine lost her dad. "My entire being changed. Every ounce of me became a different person. It opened my eyes to God and his will. I was always very religious, even as a child. But, this, well, it just changes you. I still pray for strength to help me through some days without him." No longer interested in a country music record deal, Raine followed her heart and her deepest dreams to persue a career in Christian music. She recorded a 4 song demo that brought her loads of attention. Songwriters were very intrigued and offered her some of their best songs. "I co-wrote two songs on the CD and plan on writing many more for future CDs." But her favorite is the one she recorded for her dad, whom she now calls, Angel PJ. The song was written by Scarlet Keys of LA, now residing in Nashville. "Scarlet wrote the lyric as a love song. But when I heard it, I immediately screamed, "THAT'S MINE!". (She allowed me to make a couple lyric changes to fit my concept of the lyric for the CD.) Well, everything in this town is timing, you know. I knew that if I wanted that song, I'd have to prove to Scarlet that it would be perfect for my project. It's alot of work getting a great song from a writer. Once a song is recorded onto a CD, as opposed to a demo, often times a major recording artist/star doesn't want to record it. So, to prove myself, I moved in with her. I just wanted to make sure that I was in her face at all times, proving myself to her that it's okay to release the song to me. It took me six months to convince her that the song should be mine. But, I got it!!! After I recorded it, she knew I was right! I sang the song once in the studio. That's the vocal track on the CD now. I could never sing it again. Too emotional. It's an amazing song. Everyone who has lost someone needs to have this song!" Many of the writers on this project have written a substantial amount of hits on the radio for Reba, Faith, Garth, Patty, JM Montgomery, and the list goes on and on ... Even Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilara. "... fascinating people? Oh, yes! I gave up my life with my friends and family just to be in Nashville. It's a price you pay of so many. But, I have no regrets. This town is full of "fascinating people". Many of them became my friends. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for all of them, and God." This CD is dedicated to the greatest people in Raine's life. Her family. "They are my strength by far."

For more information about Raine, log on to her website at "www.raineausten.com". Thank you for joining us. God Bless.