The season so far has been especially busy and fruitful at Faye Raye Productions. In addition to performing for the Atlanta Black Agenda Business Resource Center Gala, Faye also organized and produced the April 8th event. This year's guests of honor were Hank and Billye Aaron.

On March 29, Faye joined Emmy award winning hostess, Myrna Moore to perform live in the studio for a Soundstage segment for TBS Storyline. The performance was first broadcast on Saturday April 29. If you missed it, check the Soundstage website where you can find a link to a clip of Faye performaning “I've Got A Story To Tell ” backed by Chris Porter and Kinnard Norris.

Dates are set and details are being finalized with the Southwest Georgia Film Commission for Faye Raye and Friends to do two shows at its JOKARA Film/Video Festival in Colquitt, Georgia September 1-2.

Meanwhile, we're pleased to report that Faye has been writing and rehearsing some new material. Recording sessions are slated for late summer and early fall at Atlanta's Lucid Lounge Studios. Watch this space for more information about her plans to debut new songs at upcoming shows and to release a new CD in early 2007.

Further information about upcoming events can be found on the Shows page.


Benefit Concert Update

Faye Headlines Successful Fundraiser

Last fall's Wren's Nest show teamed Faye Raye Productions and Capitol City Bank and Trust Company to aid New Orleans' hurricane victims. The outpouring of community support enabled George Andrews, the bank's President and CEO, to present a check for $15,000 to New Orleans' Mayor Ray Nagin during a conference at Morehouse University on December 3, 2005.

Billed as the “First Annual Fun On The Lawn,” the concert was held at the historic Wren's Nest in Atlanta's West End on Saturday October 22, 2005. Over three hundred people gathered to hear Mayor Shirley Franklin, Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor, opening acts Nathaniel George and Donald Griffin and the music of Faye Raye and Friends.

In addition to the mayor and lieutenant governor, other VIP supporters in attendance included Dr. Michael Battle, Dr. C.T. Vivian, former Mayor Bill Campbell and State Rep. Able Mable Thomas.

Producing for Faye Raye was Belinda Ross with sound, lights and staging provided by Total Show Control under the supervision of owner Kent Smith.

Reaching Out With Song

Community involvement has been part of Faye's mission since the beginning.

One day in April 2001, while she was in the midst of writing the songs for “I've Got A Story To Tell”, Faye received a call from MARTA police officer Alfreda Lindsey. Officer Lindsey had heard about Faye from a friend and wanted to know if Faye would speak and sing to students who were completing a drug awareness program at Dunbar Elementary School. Faye agreed and she has since returned to Dunbar numerous times.

“I was both surprised and flattered that someone had thought of me to speak,” said Faye. “I loved the children's reception and have remained connected to them.”

She has also recently visited Inner Harbor for Children and Families and Lee Arrendale Women's Correctional Facility. “There is always a give and take with the audience. I look into the faces of strangers and find myself connecting to familiar spirits” she says.

For Faye Raye, volunteerism and outreach is just a part of a larger picture that involves using her musical talents - regardless of the venue - to connect with people and to share her personal experiences of overcoming life's challenges through faith. “One Sunday,” she says, “my pastor preached a sermon that 'From the mess comes a message.' This was a revelation to me that things I had gone through were not just about me. That it was for a much bigger purpose.”

“People sometimes hear in song what they reject when you just speak,” says Faye. “Music is the universal language.”