Artist description Artist: Craig LinderGenreNew Age / Adult Contemporary / Easy ListeningPoints of Note ƒØ Debut release Blue Serenity, released March 2000ƒØ Currently receiving national radio airplay on ¡§Delilah radio show (Warm 106.9 FM in the Seattle area, 7PM to Midnight)ƒØ Has been playing the Seattle music scene for the past 7 yearsƒØ Touring major fairs and festivals throughout the Northwest as well asselect concert halls and performance venues during the summer, fall and winter of 2001. Upcoming appearance schedule includes:The Northwest Women¡¦s Show, Seattle, WA, March 23-25, 2001The Spring Puyallup Fair, Puyallup, WA, April 20-22, 2001Kent Cornucopia Days, Kent, WA, July 13-15, 2001The Anacortes Arts Festival, Anacortes, WA, August 3-5, 2001The Fall Puyallup Fair, Puyallup, WA, September 7-23, 2001The Northwest Women¡¦s Show, Portland, OR, October 26-28, 2001Portland Holiday Food & Gift Show, Portland, OR, November 2-4, 2001Concert at the Knutzen Family Theatre, Federal Way, WA, December 8, 2001AdditionalƒØ Roots in Country and Rock led to Solo Piano adventuresInfoƒØ Featured artist on New Age Voice Magazine¡¦s July 2000 CD sampler ƒØ Distribution: Nationally distributed by www.TheOrchard.comƒØ Internet CD availability from www.Craiglinder.com and www.Amazon.com as well as most other major online retailersƒØ Retail CD availability at Tower Records and Cellophane Square for the Seattle area

Music Style New Age / Easy Listening

Musical Influences Jim Brickman, George Winston

Similar Artists Jim Brickman, George Winston, Yanni, David Lanz, David Benoit, Lori Line, Ernesto Cortazar, Gnomusy, Daniel Cox

Artist History Riding the success of his debut release, Blue Serenity, solo pianist, Craig Linder, has come right back with his follow up release, Memories of Love. This new album continues with Linder’s trademark style of relaxing and engaging solo piano, but offers a touch of instrumental variety. “Several songs on the new album have contributions from Seattle violinist, Tyler Reilly. He’s incredible and I’m thrilled with the way we worked together creatively. No doubt, listeners will really enjoy it.� Linder is currently busy playing venues across the Northwest promoting Memories of Love. “With every song I write, I find myself pouring more and more of my soul into my music. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the face of someone in the crowd when they really connect with one of my songs. It’s like they tapped into the same energy I did when it was created. Studio work is certainly rewarding, but at times you wonder if you’re creating something people will really want to listen to. Getting that connection during a live performance is that confirmation of what you hoped to achieve. It’s very satisfying.� Growing up in the southern farmlands of Minnesota, Linder's first exposure to the piano was at the age of five when his grandfather brought home an old upright piano he salvaged from an abandoned dance hall before it was torn down. Although he enjoyed learning simple songs and playing piano duets with his siblings, at the age of nine he convinced his mother to buy him an acoustic guitar and take him to guitar lessons. Unfortunately his teacher’s approach resulted in a short-lived stint with the guitar. "I'd probably be a guitar player today if my teacher’s style wouldn't have been so very strict and extinguished all enthusiasm I had for the instrument. During my year and a half of lessons which consisted mainly of drills and scales, the closest I ever got to rock n' roll was the piece I played for my last recital, ‘Home on the Range’. It was quite frustrating and I was finally allowed to quit." After finishing engineering school at Mankato State in Minnesota, Linder settled in Seattle where he began to focus more seriously on the piano. In 1992 he joined his first Seattle band. "It was a country band and full of talent, but the lead guitarist was always throwing me solos during live gigs on songs I had no idea what to play. It was unnerving at first, but in retrospect it motivated me to work very hard and greatly expand my repertoire." After playing for several years with country and rock bands in Seattle and briefly in the United Kingdom, Linder’s musical interests began to change as he began exploring more of his own instrumental compositions. In 1998 he stepped out of the band scene and began writing the music for Blue Serenity. "This was the first time I was able to be totally selfish and completely true to my own creative instincts - no compromises. The album was a wonderful success and now with the release of Memories of Love, I feel I have taken my creativity to a new level�. Memories of Love and Blue Serenity are available through most major online retailers as well as Seattle area Cellophane Square and Tower Records. Be sure to visit Craig’s website at www.craiglinder.com for continuous updates to his appearance schedule and solo piano adventures.

Group Members Craig Linder

Instruments Piano

Albums Blue Serenity; Memories of Love

Press Reviews ¡§It is a rare album indeed that can touch music lovers of all genres; Blue Serenity is that album. I have found that everyone who listens to this CD equates the music to personal experiences in their own life. From the harmonious intonations of New Beginning to the melodic tranquility of Goodbye Again, Blue Serenity seems to envelope the listener in a state of re-birthed relaxation. I happened upon this album by chance and can't seem to tire of the soul-satisfying piano solos. I hope it provides you with the same satisfaction.¡¨Amy Prochnau, ProgrammerBellevue, WA¡§¡KI would love to book you for a number of (music) slots. Your music was refreshing and enjoyable¡K¡¨Dan Million, Starbucks managerTukwila, WA¡§What a beautiful compilation of music! I loved it; it was lent to me by my mother-in-law, so I can't wait to get my own! It is very relaxing and great in the car to de- stress yourself on the way home from work. If you love the piano you will love Craig's music! I can't wait to share it with my friends! I already shared it with a friend who teaches Lamaze and wants to use it for relaxation! ¡K¡¨Kim Brabender, mother & homemakerRock Falls, IL¡§What a treat this album is ... beautiful as much for the quiet between the notes as for the notes themselves. On first listen, these melodies are engaging and even a little hypnotic. After a while, each tune seems to create a ¡¥story¡¦ that becomes richer and more fascinating each time you listen.¡¨Jon P. Matejcek, ExecutiveNew York, NY¡§We all hear ¡¥day to day¡¦ music as we go along with the pace of every day life, but when you stop and listen to this beautiful sound of music on the piano, you sit back in your chair, close your eyes, and feel the instrument play in your heart. What a breath of fresh air - Everyone needs the peace Craig's music provides. (might I suggest #5, Cheryl Remembers)¡¨Catherine Keesee, ProgrammerBellevue, WA

Location Seattle, WA - USA

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