Karen Shadbolt: Press

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

Following are letters of recommendation, personal "thank-you" letters to Karen from pastors, and press reviews from online webzines and/or radio DJs:

Dear Pastor,

It is my privilege and great joy to share with you the name of my sister in Christ, Karen Shadbolt, and to recommend her for your next ministry inreach/outreach event.  Whether she is in a concert environment or leading worship in song, Karen will get out of the way and let God work through her.

God has gifted Karen with a tremendous voice and a talent to write songs that honor and glorify the Lord, Jesus Christ.  However, the greatest gift He has given her is a worshipful heart and a passion to tell others of God's love.

Karen recently ministered to our congregation through her testimony and songs.  Sharing a timely devotion with our senior citizens Friendship Club on Saturday, she was willing to spend time one-on-one with several ladies.  God ministered to the spiritual needs of many through Karen's willingness to invest into the lives of those He brought into her path.

After leading worship on Sunday morning, Karen ministered in the evening service with a concert that included original southern gospel music, traditional hymns, and contemporary worship songs.

Karen and her husband John came to our church on a love-offering basis, without making any demands or financial requirements.  Their ministry is a genuine faith-ministry, going where the Lord leads and sharing the gospel in song and testimony as they go.

May God bless you as you prayerfully consider having Karen Shadbolt minister to the congregation over which He has given you charge.

In His Steps,

s/Jerry Vincent, Pastor

Dear Karen,

Thank you again for the great ministry during our morning service -- it was awesome the way the Lord used you, your music and your testimony to impact lives and change hearts.  You seemed right at home as you were being led by the Holy Spirit to minister through your music.  I am so appreciative that you minister and don't "entertain" during the service.

It was amazing to see how you drew everyone to you when you made your transition from your music into your testimony.  While your testimony was not easy for you to share, you really did an excellent job of telling everyone how God moved in your life to bring you to where you are now.  I am so glad that you were sensitive to the Holy Spirit in sharing what was on your heart.

Because of your discernment and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, you really set me up to deliver the sermon that the Lord had for us.  You had no idea what the subject of my message was on, but all of your music, your messages between songs, and your testimony were perfect in preparing the hearts to receive the Word of the Lord.

It is always a joy for us when you come and minister because you have a heart to minister and to worship our Lord.  You are always bright and fresh with a positive attitude and a great sense of humor.  I am looking forward to when you return and bless us with the love of Jesus.

Thanks again for such a wonderful job for the Lord!

s/R.O. Murray, Pastor

 

Title: Better Day

Website: http://www.karenshadbolt.com

Style: Contemporary/ Inspirational

Label: Rushing Winds Records

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

By C.W. Ross

Karen Shadbolt was born in Lake Charles, LA., but now calls Texas home. Karen’s been involved with music ministry for over twenty years as a solo artist, worship leader, choir director and pianist. On Karen’s latest release Better Day you’ll find contemporary, worship, inspirational, folk, country, and even some light rock moments of music in the 10 songs found on it. The main thing that drives all of the songs is Karen’s vocals that are both crisp and clear, and have a certain soothing tone to them that everything will be all right. This goes along with her tagline about her music that defines it as, ‘music with a message of hope.’ Karen’s press material says that, ‘the desire of her heart is to point people to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to encourage the body of Christ to worship Him.’ Karen has also surrounded herself on this release with talented musicians whose instrumentation compliments her vocals very well. I especially liked the way the organ parts were used, whether creating a worship feel or adding a lively punch to the song. The drum parts were solid, and the guitars, both acoustic and electric, also done their job well in the songs. The background vocals worked well helping to bring another level of quality to the songs. The highlight songs for me include track-1, “Jesus, the One and Only,” an up-tempo song of worship that includes some of those aforementioned great organ parts. Track 3 “God of Endless Grace,” let’s Karen’s soft rock side shines with its lively electric guitar parts. For those who like a nice piano ballad, track-4 “Broken Bridges,” is for you. The song also has a bit of a country twang found in its guitar parts. The release also wraps up really strong with its last two songs, “Who You Are,” and “Good and Faithful One,” both tracks work well with their slightly up tempo beats and solid lead and background vocals. On Better Day Karen Shadbolt shows that she has the talent and vocal range to sing many different styles of music. This release should reach out to a wide age range of listeners with its nice variety of musical styles. Posted in cd review, contemporary, country, rock, worship | Tags: Better Day, Better Day review, cd review, Christian review, Karen Shadbolt, Karen Shadbolt review, Karen Shadbolt- Better Day, Karen Shadbolt- Better Day review, Rushing Winds Records

Cross Rhythmns

On the evidence of her debut release, Karen Shadbolt is an accomplished singer/songwriter, who is apparently equally as comfortable with a full band behind her as she would be simply accompanying herself on guitar for quieter acoustic songs. Reflecting this more thoughtful side are "I Won't Let Go", "Close to Me", "The Road Less Traveled", with its quasi-Celtic flute intro, along with the country ballad "Broken Bridges". For something of a contrast, the up-temp delivery of opening praise track "Jesus, the One and Only", "God of Endless Grace", "Rock of Ages" and "Who You Are" hint at a fair amount of influence from Fleetwood Mac (particularly 'Rumours') in style and production, with all of these songs featuring impressively tight vocal harmonies, driving acoustic and electric guitars and pumping bass lines high in the mix. The title chosen for the album actually comes from lines of her finale "Good and Faithful One" -- "I don't want to go this way, 'cause it's a long, long road/It seems I've already paid, to learn this lesson before/But I'll keep pressin' on, keep hangin' on to the hope of a better day/ When I hear Him say 'Well done, good and faithful one'." When life becomes a struggle, that surely is the hope to which we cling in faith.

True Spirit Powered Radio

The first thing that strikes you about this Album is the cover art  Karen is just a very photogenic lady  this is a good thing LOL ,  The album contains ten tracks  all written and composed and performed by Karen. This in itself is a rare thing these days to find a totally original album for there is usually at least 1 cover track in most Albums these days.

The Alum is released under the Rushing Winds Records label and the production of the album is impeccable it’s very evident that time was taken to ensure the best production on every track vocals and harmonies and instrumentation are faultless throughout. A real credit to the engineering of Gary Rushing.

The Album opens with  “ Jesus The One And Only “ a nice mid to uptempo praise song that’s immediately lets you hear the quality & timbre of Karen’s voice. This leads into a slow acoustic feel with the second track  “ I won’t Let Go” which is a soothing acoustic ballad that Karen sings effortlessly.  Track 3 “ God Of Endless Grace “ Shows the soft rock side of Karen with  good use of vocal harmonies and a good driving bass this one gets your feet tapping. “ Broken Bridges “ track 4 takes you back to a more mellow mood with a meaningful piano based ballad. My second favorite track on the album is  “The Road Less Travelled “  track 5  A good song lyrically and has a light almost Celtic feel to it especially with the flute intro. Track 6  “ Rock Of Ages “ sees Karen rocking it up a little  Good vocals here and nice use of the Hammond type organ really fills this track out. Now my personal pick for best track on the Album track 7  “ Keep On Living “ it catches you right from the start with an interesting guitar based intro Vocals are excellent throughout  and keeps you interested without being too busy, the chorus chord progression wise reminds me of Eric Clapton’s  “ Knocking On Heaven’s Door “ maybe that’s why I like this one so much I’m a big fan of Clapton LOL. Track 8 is “ Close To Me “  an intimate ballad that works well.  Then comes track 9  “ Who You Are “ which to me is the most commercial track on the entire CD and if released as a single to radio in my opinion would do very well. The Final track  number 10  is “ Good And Faithful One “again a good track both lyrically and musically  and provides a fitting end to what really is a most engaging CD.  This being my first encounter with Karen Shadbolt and her music would definitely lead me to wanting to hear more from her.

All in all this is a well produced and excellently performed CD that would easily grace the collections of most good  discerning Christian music fans .

Karen Shadbolt's  CD’s are available from her website at   

       Karen Shadbolt . Com

 This review by

  Derek McCorkell

  DJ and Producer of  “ The True Spirit Powered Radio Show “

  Part of the Triplestrand Productions Group

  Minnesota  USA 

 

Dear Karen,

I want to thank you for the great job you did during our revival services.  Everything from the choice of music to the presentation seemed to be in tune with the Spirit's leadership.

You also did a wonderful job preparing a daily devotion for the women and leading it.  I know the women truly enjoyed the message you brought to them each day.

Thanks for the wonderful way you worked with and related to our choir.  They all just fell in love with you.  You seem to have brought out the best in them.

Thanks again for such a refreshing time.

s/Pastor Tony Moye

Dear Karen,

Thank you so much for a terrific evening with our Prime Timers at CFBC.  You have such a heart for the ministry and it shows through your music.  I know God is going to bless your ministry abundantly.

We are looking forward to your coming back in January.  Until then we pray that God continues to impact your words in song.

Sincerely,

s/Pat Hooker

Dear Karen,

I am very uneasy when I invite an artist or group to come and sing.  I like to see the person or group perform somewhere else before I invite them to a Worship Service at my church.  Watson Holyfield, my son-in-law, highly recommended you, so I invited you one Sunday night.

I was blessed and my congregation was blessed by your performance as an artist and by your wonderful testimony.  I would highly recommend you to anyone.  I believe that  people would be aware of the Holy Spirit working through your life.  Thanks for being a part of our Worship Service.

s/Pastor Morris