PdC native to celebrate her music with hometown shows
Chellanie (Adams) Grunwald will be playing a hometown EP album release party on Saturday, Oct. 29, at The Blackhawk in Prairie du Chien, from 8 to 10 p.m. She is also playing a show on Friday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m., at Daddy’s Dew Drop Inn in Bagley. (Photo by Barbara Birnbaum Potter)
By Correne Martin
After 11 years in the Nashville music scene, Chellanie (Adams) Grunwald is finally releasing her very own country/blues extended play (EP) track and she will be showcasing her vocal talents at two performances this weekend in the Prairie du Chien area.
On Friday at 8 p.m., Chellanie will play at Daddy’s Dew Drop Inn in rural Bagley. On Saturday at 8 p.m., she will host an official hometown EP release party at The Blackhawk in downtown Prairie du Chien.
“I’m excited about these two shows. This new EP is very special to me,” she said. “I hope to see a lot of people out not only because it’s Halloween weekend but also because I think it will be a fun time with live original acoustic music.”
For those not familiar with an EP, it is an extended play track, containing more songs than a single but less than an album. Chellanie’s self-titled EP has five tunes on it showcasing her traditional country meets blues sound. All of the songs are originals that she either wrote alone or with co-writers about life and love.
“I think people will be able to relate,” she commented.
Prior to this celebration around home, the Prairie du Chien native held an EP release party at the Commadore Grille in Nashville.
“When I first went to Nashville with my parents at age 16, Debi Champion, the lady who hosts the Commadore Grille, let me get on stage for the first time at a writers night. Years later, I am still here. She gave me a chance back then and she still supports me today. She helps a lot of people in Nashville and I am very grateful,” Chellanie stated. “Also, I don’t really have any family in Nashville and the turnout was huge.”
Friday’s show is at the Dew Drop because Chellanie worked there in high school and, occasionally, throughout her college years. She sang to the regular patrons and, of course, whoever came in while she was working.
“This should be a fun reunion,” she said.
Saturday’s release party at The Blackhawk will give her hometown fans a good chance to hear some of the songs she’s written over the years and to purchase a copy of her EP to take home.
Chellanie will be bringing along her producer, singer-songwriter, guitarist for both shows. Ben Potter is an active musician in Nashville with years of experience in the business
“He produced my EP. He and I have been singing together for about a year and a half now. We’ve been working on some duets he’s written so we’ll be singing my songs, his songs as well as some covers together,” she said.
The name of their band is Pontiac Alley, a meshing of Chellanie’s traditional country vocals with Potter’s acoustic rock style.
“We have been described as unique, fun and upbeat with an acoustic Americana sound,” Potter explained. “Our vision is to perform songs that engage the audience with a positive message in a fun and entertaining manner.”
Music fans are invited to join in the excitement of Chellanie’s live shows this weekend. This is the opportunity for people to hear what she’s been working on the past couple of years.
“I know I have a lot of people who support me back home. They wonder what I’ve been doing musically and I’m asked about it often. I just want to go home and have my hometown be involved in the excitement for this project,” Chellanie remarked. “I have been working hard with music for a long time and this is something I can share with my family, friends and community.”
After her hometown events, Chellanie will be back in Nashville, with her husband, Peter Grunwald, also a Prairie du Chien native. She hopes to start traveling around promoting her EP and working in the studio to record her first CD as part of Pontiac Alley.
“I will continue to write music and see where the music road takes me,” she noted.
Anyone who can’t make either of Chellanie’s local shows can visit www.chellanie.com, where they can purchase a copy of the EP and listen to a few songs as well. Or, for more info, visit www.reverbnation.com/chellanie.
