Winner of 2010 Ultimate Idol releases debut single
NORWICH – When vocalist and performer Jessica Sheldon was named the winner of the 2010 Central New York Radio Group Ultimate Idol Competition in August, she took home more than just the $2,500 grand prize – she also earned herself some recording time at the Afton-based Impact Music Studio.
Now – approximately two months and four recording sessions later – the longtime Norwich resident will have a chance to see if her hard work has paid off, as her first-ever single, “Element of Love,” hits the airwaves beginning at 9 a.m. today on Oneonta’s WSRK-FM, 103.9.
Produced by Impact Music Studio owner C.J. Searles, the song found Sheldon collaborating with songwriters Steve Dillon and Geoff Doyle, who’ve helped previous Idol winners in the past with the songwriting process.
“I had never written music or a song before and I feel like this has really gotten the ball rolling,” said the vocalist of the experience. “I’m excited to write more in the future.”
While Sheldon admitted she was a bit intimidated by the prospect at first, she said she was surprised in the end at how easy it really was.
Communicating by e-mail, Sheldon and Dillon tossed ideas for “Element of Love” back and forth until they’d come up with something the singer felt was – stylistically speaking – what she was looking for. Once she was certain they were on the same page, the pair met with Doyle to record a rough acoustic version of the song.
“Geoff magically came up with the melody and hook; he was all over it,” added Sheldon. “We basically had the verses and chorus figured out, we just needed a bridge to break it up.”
Sheldon herself would pen the bridge, her first attempt at musical composition.
“It’s been really gratifying, especially considering I’ve never written music before,” she added. “It was exciting just to win the competition, but this has opened me up to writing and I’m looking forward to the next time, absolutely.”
For the actual recording, Sheldon brought in some familiar faces – keyboardist Mike O’Connor, drummer Bob Tousignant, bassist James Kolet and guitarist Eric Porter, her band-mates in the popular local rock and soul ensemble Thistle Dew. The singer said she felt it important to include the four and utilize their talents and experience.
Sheldon said while the studio experience was different than she expected, she felt comfortable and enjoyed harmonizing with herself in particular, something she’d never had an opportunity to do before.
The song itself was built from the ground up, added the singer, with all of the musicians recording tracks individually, rather than as a group.
In addition to the release of her first single, the singer said she will perform at some point during the 2011 Central New York Radio Group Ultimate Idol Competition auditions, which will begin in June.
“This has been a great experience for me and anyone out there who thinks they have what it takes should definitely give it a shot and go for it,” said Sheldon. “It was a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to being a part of it this year, even if I’m not competing.”
Those unable to pick up WSRK-FM, 103.9 on their radio can still check out “Element of Love” at www.wsrkfm.com’s live online broadcast.
Now – approximately two months and four recording sessions later – the longtime Norwich resident will have a chance to see if her hard work has paid off, as her first-ever single, “Element of Love,” hits the airwaves beginning at 9 a.m. today on Oneonta’s WSRK-FM, 103.9.
Produced by Impact Music Studio owner C.J. Searles, the song found Sheldon collaborating with songwriters Steve Dillon and Geoff Doyle, who’ve helped previous Idol winners in the past with the songwriting process.
“I had never written music or a song before and I feel like this has really gotten the ball rolling,” said the vocalist of the experience. “I’m excited to write more in the future.”
While Sheldon admitted she was a bit intimidated by the prospect at first, she said she was surprised in the end at how easy it really was.
Communicating by e-mail, Sheldon and Dillon tossed ideas for “Element of Love” back and forth until they’d come up with something the singer felt was – stylistically speaking – what she was looking for. Once she was certain they were on the same page, the pair met with Doyle to record a rough acoustic version of the song.
“Geoff magically came up with the melody and hook; he was all over it,” added Sheldon. “We basically had the verses and chorus figured out, we just needed a bridge to break it up.”
Sheldon herself would pen the bridge, her first attempt at musical composition.
“It’s been really gratifying, especially considering I’ve never written music before,” she added. “It was exciting just to win the competition, but this has opened me up to writing and I’m looking forward to the next time, absolutely.”
For the actual recording, Sheldon brought in some familiar faces – keyboardist Mike O’Connor, drummer Bob Tousignant, bassist James Kolet and guitarist Eric Porter, her band-mates in the popular local rock and soul ensemble Thistle Dew. The singer said she felt it important to include the four and utilize their talents and experience.
Sheldon said while the studio experience was different than she expected, she felt comfortable and enjoyed harmonizing with herself in particular, something she’d never had an opportunity to do before.
The song itself was built from the ground up, added the singer, with all of the musicians recording tracks individually, rather than as a group.
In addition to the release of her first single, the singer said she will perform at some point during the 2011 Central New York Radio Group Ultimate Idol Competition auditions, which will begin in June.
“This has been a great experience for me and anyone out there who thinks they have what it takes should definitely give it a shot and go for it,” said Sheldon. “It was a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to being a part of it this year, even if I’m not competing.”
Those unable to pick up WSRK-FM, 103.9 on their radio can still check out “Element of Love” at www.wsrkfm.com’s live online broadcast.
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