The Ellas not only thrilled music lovers and critics alike with their wonderful
Merry & Bright cd, they have blessed countless others with their time, talent and finances this holiday season. The trio donated proceeds from the sale of the album, which includes 16 completely original Christmas songs, to the Salvation Army and yesterday presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to the organization.
The trio, comprised of hit Nashville songwriters Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller and Emily James, participated in the Salvation Army telethon last week and rang the famed Red Kettle bells and sang songs from Merry & Bright in downtown Nashville yesterday. Salvation Army Nashville Area Commander Major Ed Lee stopped by to greet the ladies, and they surprised him with the check.
“We have been blessed individually as songwriters and now as The Ellas with this successful new album,” said Jennifer. “Our song ‘Christmas in New York’ has the line: the ‘sidewalk Kringles joyfully jingle a bell for the Salvation Army,’ and we got to make that come to life yesterday.”
The Salvation Army fights poverty in Middle Tennessee year-round through transitional housing, case management, youth programs, and emergency financial assistance as well as through providing gifts and necessities to those in need at Christmas time. Please visit www.salvationarmynashville.org for more information and volunteer opportunities.
Attached Photo: (l. to r.) – The Ellas’ Emily James, Melissa Fuller and Jennifer Denmark; Salvation Army Nashville Area Commander Major Ed Lee.
Merry & Bright features 16 completely original Christmas songs celebrating the holidays with modern stories set to timeless melodies and a fresh, big band sound. The album is being released on Scat Pack Records and is available at iTunes, Amazon and most other online retailers. CD copies are available at TheEllas.com.
All of the cuts on Merry & Bright were written by one or more of The Ellas, and they were joined on select songs by writers Dave Brainard, Sarah Sadler Butler, Chad Carlson, Tim Jackson, Keesy Timmer and Briana Tyson. Grammy Award-winner Chad Carlson (Taylor Swift, Jewel, Chase Rice, Hunger Games soundtrack) also produced the album, with “Bakin’ Cookies” and bonus tracks produced by Grammy Award-nominee Dave Brainard (Brandy Clark, Jamey Johnson, Jarrod Niemann, Ray Scott.)
The focus track single, “Bakin’ Cookies,” has been released to several radio formats via PlayMPE, and the corresponding music video is currently airing on CMT and GAC and can be viewed here.
Merry & Bright track listing:
1. “Chrisamas” – (Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller, Chad Carlson)
2. “Naughty List” – (Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller, Tim Jackson)
3. “Christmas in New York” – (Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller, Sarah Sadler Butler)
4. “Bakin’ Cookies” – (Jennifer Denmark, Dave Brainard, Briana Tyson)
5. “I Want it All This Year” – (Jennifer Denmark)
6. “Merry & Bright” – (Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller, Chad Carlson)
7. “Heart is Home for Christmas” – (Denmark, Fuller, Emily James)
8. “Decemburr” – (Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller)
9. “Gonna Catch Santa” – (Jennifer Denmark)
10. “Christmas Morning” – (Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller, Keesy Timmer)
11. “Dashing in the Snow” – (Jennifer Denmark)
12. “What Blue Christmas Means” – (Jennifer Denmark)
13. “Callin’ for Snow” – (Jennifer Denmark, Melissa Fuller, Sarah Sadler Butler) –
14. “Kiss Another Year Goodbye” – (Jennifer Denma
rk, Melissa Fuller, Emily James)
15. “Candy Cane Lane” – (Jennifer Denmark)
16. “Season of Love” – (Jennifer Denmark)
Follow The Ellas at:
www.TheEllas.com
Facebook.com/thellasmusic
Twitter.com/theellasmusic
Instagram.com/theellasmusic
About The Ellas
The catalyst for the trio, which was originally named the North Pole Patrol, came after Jennifer began writing original Christmas songs. Her love of the holidays and the desire to write and record additional songs led her to form the trio. Hit Christian group Point of Grace recorded Denmark’s “Candy Cane Lane” based on North Pole Patrol’s tight, three-part harmonies and won a Dove Award for “Christmas Album of the Year” in 2010. A recent name change to The Ellas was decided upon both to pay homage to one of their favorite singers, Ella Fitzgerald, and to open the door to record and release non-holiday music in the future.
Between the three members, Jennifer, Melissa and Emily have had cuts by Kelsea Ballerini, Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Jason Mraz, Aaron Carter, Sara Evans, Jana Kramer, Cassadee Pope, David Cook, Katie Armiger and Ella Mae Bowen.
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