Jennifer Grassman

Jennifer Grassman
Grassman performing in September 2008
Background information
Born	(1984-12-08) December 8, 1984
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Associated acts	Falconer, Tori Amos, Loreena McKennitt
Website	http://www.JenniferGrassman.com/

Jennifer Grassman (born Jennifer Michelle Grassman on December 8, 1984 in Austin, Texas) is an American independent music and recording artist.^[1] She is a journalist for The Washington Times Communities, writing two columns. The Business of Being Diva^[2] covers album releases, concert reviews, and interviews with music industry professionals. SeeTalkGrow: The New Entertainment Industry^[3] covers the events and news of SeeTalkGrow, an online conference for the music, film, technology, and communications industries. Grassman launched SeeTalkGrow in February, 2012, because she was pregnant, and unable to attend SXSW.^[4]

Early years and education

In 1986, Grassman's family moved from Austin, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee, where she began classical piano training at the age of 7. She spent her junior high and high school years in Austin, Texas and Santa Clarita, California while being home schooled by her mother, Lori Grassman. In 2002, Grassman composed the patriotic song, "Where The Wind Blows" which was dedicated to the American troops overseas ^[5] and aired on The Soldiers Radio Network.^[6] Grassman was acknowledged by President George W. Bush^[7] for her "kind gesture."

In 2003, Grassman majored in Opera at the University of Houston under the tutelage of Joan Gibbons in the Moores School of Music. Grassman held her first benefit concert for Crime Stoppers on the University of Houston campus in honor of her late friend, Rachael Koloroutis ^[8] who had been murdered earlier that year.^[9] Grassman and Koloroutis became friends while working summer jobs during high school. Further concerts to raise money for Koloroutis' Crime Stoppers reward fund followed at such venues as Six Flags AstroWorld. In 2008, Grassman participated in an ABC 20/20 documentary about the case. Grassman left the University of Houston in 2005 to pursue her career as a full-time soloist performer.

Professional career

Recording artist

Grassman released her debut album, At The Back Of The North Wind, produced by MD Thomspson of The Ivory Tower, of Houston, Texas, in 2006.^[10] The album featured the single Pretty Girls, which was later made into a music video, directed and produced by ZenFilm. The video went on to win a Silver ADDY Award ^[11] and first place at Dances With Films in 2009.^[12]

Grassman's Christmas CD, Keep Silent; A Collection of Ancient Carols, produced by Dan Workman of SugarHill Recording Studios released in 2007 on the independent record label, TLM Productions.^[13] Grassman performs a "Christmas Tour of Texas" nearly every year, which includes stops in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. Grassman broke ties with TLM Productions soon after the completion of her Pretty Girls music video.

On her third album, Serpent Tales & Nightingales, Grassman returned to work with MD Thompson of The Ivory Tower. Serpent Tales & Nightingales released on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010, and was financed largely by Grassman's fans who donated money and hosted house concerts to help raise funds.^[14]

A music video for Grassman's song, The Haunting, a single on Serpent Tales & Nightingales is anticipated for release in Summer, 2012.^[15]

Grassman's fourth album, Once Upon A Time, is currently in production.^[15]

Grassman has performed on many television and radio shows, including Great Day Houston (KHOU), FOX 26, NPR, The Front Row (KUHA), KPFT, and Houston PBS's late night show The After Party with Ernie Manouse.

Public speaker

Grassman has appeared on live television shows, including ABC's 20/20^[16][17] (in connection with her benefit concerts for Crime Stoppers), and on Great Day Houston on KHOU (TV) as an advocate for victims of domestic violence. In October, 2011, Grassman served as a moderator during CMJ Music Marathon in New York City for the panel, "Musical Hats: Doing The Jobs Of 50+ People All By Yourself?" ^[18] She also performed as a CMJ artist at Googie's Lounge above The Living Room during the festival.^[19]

Journalist

Grassman writes a music industry column titled The Business Of Being Diva, for The Washington Times Communities.^[2] She has interviewed Imogen Heap, Natalia Tena, Brian Ray, Aimee Mann, Larry Klein, Mandisa, and other notable figures in the music and entertainment industries. She also documented SXSW in March, 2011.

In addition, Grassman also writes a column titled SeeTalkGrow: The New Entertainment Industry, which covers the news and events of SeeTalkGrow, an online music, film, technology and communications conference which Grassman founded in February, 2012.^[3]

Entrepreneur

In February, 2012, Grassman founded SeeTalkGrow. In a Washington Times Communities article, Grassman stated that she was inspired to launch SeeTalkGrow because she was pregnant, and therefor unable to attend SXSW. Grassman wrote:

Bouncing around downtown Austin in the heat of March with swollen feet, an achy back, and random bouts of morning sickness certainly wasn't my idea of a party. And yet, the idea of missing an opportunity to fraternize with my business colleagues as they traveled in from all over the world was downright depressing ... I decided that the answer to all my maternal challenges was to launch my own live online music, film, technology, and writing conference. It would be conducted entirely via webcast, chat boards, and other social media components. Plus - while covering all aspects of entertainment and media – it would be distinguished by its special emphasis on the business of being a work-at-home mommy.^[20]

Philanthropic events

Grassman is reputed in the greater Houston area ^[21] for organizing philanthropic events to raise funds and boost publicity for non-profits such as no-kill animal organizations,^[22] women's shelters, anti-crime and anti-abuse organizations such as Crime Stoppers and RAINN (The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network),^[23] and victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.^[24] In 2009, Grassman was commended by Tori Amos for her work on behalf of rape and domestic violence victims.^[25]

Personal life

On September 30, 2006, Grassman married Jason Lee Greenberg, in Conroe, Texas. She and Greenberg met at the University of Houston while Grassman was seeking band members to back her up during public performances. Greenberg plays bass, electric, acoustic and classical guitar on Grassman's albums and during live shows. Grassman and Greenberg currently reside in Houston, Texas. They are expecting their first child in August, 2012.^[26]

Discography

At The Back Of The North Wind (2006)

• 1) At The Back Of The North Wind
• 2) Truth Is Fulfilling
• 3) Time
• 4) Much Like Dreams
• 5) The Mockingbird
• 6) Pretty Girls
• 7) I Waited So Long
• 8) For Always
• 9) Once More
• 10) Heavenward
• 11) Mourning Star
• 12) Jonna McLane
• 13) The Sweet Wind
• 14) White Roses
• 15) With You
• 16) One Last Time
• 17) Michaella's Song

Keep Silent; A Collection Of Ancient Carols (2007)

• 1) Keep Silent
• 2) O Come, O Come Emmanuel
• 3) Angels We Have Heard On High
• 4) O Holy Night
• 5) Carol Of The Bells
• 6) Away In A Manger
• 7) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
• 8) Silent Night
• 9) Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming
• 10) John's Song
• 11) What Child Is This
• 12) Can This Be So
• 13) What Wondrous Love

Serpent Tales & Nightingales (2010)

• 1) The Search
• 2) Guildencrantz
• 3) Red
• 4) Praying To The Walls
• 5) Blackbird
• 6) The Haunting
• 7) Avuncular
• 8) Mercy
• 9) A Chance to Die
• 10) Glass
• 11) Little Bird
• 12) Foundling
• 13) The Mad, Mad March Hare Acoustic Exposition
• 14) The Bedroom Door
• 15) The Promise
• 16) Snake

Guest vocals

Mathias Blad, of the Swedish metal band Falconer, guest sang on "Blackbird", on the CD Serpent Tales & Nightingales.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jennifer Grassman.

• Official Website
• The Washington Times Communities, The Business Of Being Diva
• Media Profile