Susan Calloway, an accomplished vocalist, pianist and rhythm guitar player, Susan's sound is unique. Susan has been turning heads at Warner Brothers as they have featured a number of her songs on some of their most popular shows, including Dawson's Creek, Summerland, and One Tree Hill. Susan Calloway's stunning voice is matched by her gifted songwriting.
Susans songs include: Divided, Chasing The Sun, Learning To Live, Safe, Patrick Anthony, Pretty Little Scar, and more to come!
Every once in a while an artist emerges that captivates you in such a way, you cannot stop listening. It seems as if the music was made just for you. The first time you hear it, you can't help wanting to find out who it is. This is Susan Calloway in a nutshell.
An accomplished vocalist, pianist and rhythm guitar player, Susan's sound is unique and memorable. There is such a truth about her music; it's easy to relate to every verse. The real thoughts and feelings we all share, each in our own experiences. It is a collection of her stories; a diary unlocked, exposed in the form of music.
Realizing she was no ordinary kid, Susan's parents did all they could to encourage her natural talents. Her father even sold his car to buy Susan her first piano. She immediately began classical study of piano and voice. When she was only 12, she began writing songs, singing, playing piano, and performing on a regular basis. It wasn't long until the entertainment world came knocking.
After being cast in several televised children's musicals, she was ultimately offered the coveted lead in the prestigious Broadway Musical "Annie" for the Chicago stage. Not wanting to uproot the family, combined with their concern of providing Susan with a normal childhood, her parents declined the offer. They were confident that there would be many more opportunities in her future, should she choose to pursue them. "There was no doubt in my mind this was what I wanted to do, even back then. It has always been who I am", Susan says. "I'm fortunate my parents gave me so many opportunities to grow as an artist...but I'm also thankful they protected my childhood. They wanted me to choose music, not the other way around."
Despite tremendous family support, Susan's childhood was far from ideal. Her mother was in a near fatal car accident that left her severely injured. Mounting medical bills forced her father to work two jobs to make ends meet. Susan's mother was in and out of hospitals for many years, while Susan was home taking care of the household and raising her younger brother and sister. Susan used music as her salvage and the obstacles in her family served as inspiration to pursue her dreams of becoming an artist.
"My mom would love it when I would sing and play for her; it always made her feel better. She would have all these pillows on the couch, and be in all this pain, so much sometimes she couldn't even talk. It was the least I could do for her. Funny when I look back, I don't know how we got through those years...only the grace of God. I just knew that in spite of everything, I HAD to do this. And not just for the sake of success, I wanted to use my music to do something good."
Setting aside several college music scholarships, at age 17 Susan started a band. They achieved a great deal of popularity in the U.S. with awards, record sales, and air play throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Despite the hectic tour schedule and recording sessions, Susan still did attend college and graduated with honors.
As Susan evolved as an artist, musician, and performer, it became clear that she was really a solo artist much more than a band member. It was time for a change. She dove into her songwriting and started really focusing her music and her sound as a solo artist. It wasn't long until she caught the attention of Gerard Smerek noted for his Grammy award winning work with such artists as Natalie Merchant, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger and Kid Rock. They met at a recording session.
"From the very first time I heard her sing her voice spoke to me. Susan has that special ingredient that all great singers have. The ability to command all the attention in a room and focus it on what she wants you to hear. Susan is a complete artist. Her songs are special messages of life, performed by an artist fully in command of her craft. Working with her is a pleasure. She arrives at every session with a suitcase full of talent!"
"Things have escalated quickly since working with Gerard", says Susan. "Everything is just getting better and more focused; the songwriting, the performing, most of all, the recording. He has been quite a mentor for me, showing me how to really produce music well. Gerard makes you earn those compliments because he's worked with the best. He doesn't just blow sunshine at me. He pushes me...and I'm better for it."
Most recently Susan has been turning heads at Warner Brothers as they have featured a number of her songs on some of their most popular shows, including "Dawson's Creek", "Summerland", and "One Tree Hill". Ron Sobel, president of North Star Media, says "Susan Calloway's stunning voice is matched by her gifted songwriting. Not only have we at North Star become great fans, the music community in LA has also responded to her with the same enthusiasm that it has embraced her singing. She marries the gift of voice, songwriter, beauty and passion into one amazing talent".
With Gerard's Production Company at the wheel, including Associate Producer Mark Chu (Lenny Kravitz), Susan's most recent work is proving to be her most promising to date. Although still in process, it has attracted the attention of some of the record industry's most amazing talent; Legendary Bass player, Tony Levin (known for his work with Peter Gabriel), Lee Levin (Teddy Geiger, Pink, Kelly Clarkston, Christina Aguilera,) on drums, and Greg Suran (Goo Goo Dolls, Five for Fighting, Jewel) on guitar.
"When you start a recording project, you set off on a journey to find something magical". Says Smerek. "We have found so much magic here. We have an amazing artist. We have assembled an incredible band. But there is nothing more important than the songs. And what we have here are great, songs. Timeless masterpieces. I feel we are cutting an 'Album of The Year' contender."
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