Artist description Gretchen Harris is a singer/songwriter whose specialty is soothing, soft rock. Her inspirational lyrics reflect faith and love for God.

Music Style Pop/Contemporary Christian

Musical Influences Amy Grant, Shania Twain, The Corrs, Sarah Brightman

Similar Artists Olivia Newton-John, Jewel

Artist History Gretchen has been recording albums professionally since 1991. She was nominated for UCMVA's "New Artist of the Year," and won "Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year" for her CD "Hope for Tomorrow."

Group Members Gretchen Harris - lead vocals, lyrics, some music. David Harris - producer, lots of instruments, music, some lyrics. Every song/album has various L.A. studio players.

Instruments These CDs have a mixture of instruments, but Gretchen's favorites include percussion, harp, cello, recorders, flute, and guitar

Albums "Hope for Tomorrow," "Sign of Love," "Sing of Mary," "Christmas Joy"

Press Reviews POWER SOURCE MUSIC MAGAZINE, August 2001 -- Gretchen delivers an impressive eleven-song performance in this contemporary inspirational work.  Both her laid back, jazzy style and voice lie somewhere between a Joni Mitchell and Ricky Lee Jones.  The CD has a very relaxed feel to it.  I liked ONE SON, and LOVING YOU, but my absolute favorite is CHANGE MY MIND.  This selection is a beautiful message about allowing God to work his will in us.  If you have ever tried to take control of your destiny only to find yourself asking our Father for guidance after falling on your backside, you will enjoy this song.  Great CD.*************** CATHOLIC REGISER, July 2001 by David Wang -- Gretchen has a sweet disposition and was one of the nicest artists I met at the CAM conference. This sweetness carries over to her vocals on this excellent collection of Marian songs. Almost all of my favorite songs are here, ranging from the modern in Breath of Heaven and Hail Mary Gentle Woman to the traditional in Ave Maria and Immaculate Mary. The arrangements are clever and add interest to these covers. A wonderful effort and will appeal to almost anyone.*************** THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC, September 2002 By Heather Felton Editor/Reporter -- "Music and Moms Meet for Mary" FORT MYERS -- The Venice Diocese MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) group and Gretchen Harris are a match made in heaven. MOMS is an eight-week spiritual journey for mothers in all stages of life. The ministry began in the Venice Diocese two years ago when Karen Debitetto, who had participated in it in Orlando, moved to Fort Myers and helped establish it there. "When women go through this journey, they're looking for their gifts," Debitetto said. Among those gifts is that of motherhood, she said. Often women view children as a gift, but forget that motherhood is a gift, as well. Gretchen Harris is a Catholic recording artist from Los Angeles. She has always felt a special bond with the Virgin Mary and shows it in her music. She has an album called Sing of Mary, which is a compilation of well-known and popular songs about the mother of Christ. "She's just so gentle, so warm," Harris said. "She's just so loving. She wants us to know that God exists and to love her son." Last February, the two came together when Harris performed here as part of a MOMS retreat and training session for MOMS facilitators, Debitetto said. Harris performed songs from Sing of Mary during the event and was a huge hit. On Aug. 31, members from the 11 parishes with MOMS groups welcomed Harris back for the Celebration of Mary at Resurrection Parish in Fort Myers. The event was a commemoration of the Sept. 8 birthday of Jesus' mother. In addition to Harris' performance, the event featured local speaker Colleen Spiro of St. Katherine Drexel Parish, Cape Coral, who talked about the Blessed Mother. While here, Harris took the time to perform Sept. 4 during the first Home and School parents association fall Mass and meeting at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Fort Myers. The next day, she came back to St. Francis School to sing for the children in an afternoon concert. "She sings pretty," said Eric Thumm, 12. "My whole family listens to music like this." Michelle McGuire, 11, was also impressed. "It takes a lot of talent to get up and sing like that," she said. "It takes a lot of courage." The children especially enjoyed her "Burger King story" about how she started singing for God. Harris told the children that several years ago she was pursuing an acting career. But time after time, the auditions went badly or the jobs involved doing things she didn't want to do. On her last audition, she told the director that there was no way she was going to do what he wanted. She walked out and, on the way home, stopped at Burger King for a Whopper with cheese. She looked at the burger and, as she was getting ready to take a bite, she said, "From now on all I'm going to do is sing for God. That's it." The day after visiting the school, Harris performed at San Pedro Parish, North Port, said Betty Rodriguez, the coordinator for Family Ministry and MOMS at San Pedro Parish. "It (Harris' music) almost goes perfect with our Ministry of Mothers Sharing," she said. "We're so lucky to have her in this diocese and it was such a blessing for Karen to find her." Harris, who has three albums, Sign of Love, Sing of Mary and Hope for Tomorrow, is releasing her fourth album, Christmas Joy, in a few weeks. Her work has also gained her national recognition when she was nominated for New Artist of Year by the United Catholic Music and Video Association. Although she has been asked to sing songs that are not religious, Harris said it just doesn't work for her. "The closer to the Blessed Sacrament, the tabernacle, the more it comes together," she said.

Additional Info Schedule a concert at your church - Visit Gretchen's website for contact info.

Location Palos Verdes Estates, CA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).