DORIA ROBERTS RELEASES INDEPENDENT CD PROJECT
“BLACKEYED SUSAN” THIS FALL
Singer/Songwriter’s Seventh Project Inspired by Civil Rights Era Legend Odetta Holmes
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ATLANTA (August 17, 2011) – Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Doria Roberts will release her seventh independent CD project, “Blackeyed Susan,” this fall. With the new record, Roberts returns to her roots with a blues inspired tribute to her mentor and dear friend, Civil Rights era folk musician Odetta. Pairing her two great loves -- music and food (she is co-owner of the popular Urban Cannibals Bodega + Bites in East Atlanta with her wife, Chef Calavino Donati) – Roberts will kick off her “Farm-to-Ear Tour” with a CD release party at the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market on Thursday, September 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.
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“Odetta passed away before I had a chance to work with her and it was devastating to lose her so suddenly,” says Roberts. “This project was a huge part of my grieving process. While it’s about honoring the past, it’s also about moving on and making sure I’m doing the work I was meant to do. ”
Armed with a dedicated fan base, Roberts launched a successful 45-day pledge campaign using crowd sourcing site Kickstarter.com to raise funds for the project, accumulating $20,000 to put towards the production of “Blackeyed Susan.”
Fans will know their money was put to good use. Roberts employed the talents of award-winning, Atlanta-based designer Susan Archie, to create a recycled and reusable wood-burned spruce box, which comes from guitar makers’ scrap wood. The package is fashioned as a memento box filled with Roberts’ personal touches (like a copy of the only picture she has of her and Odetta), and can also be used as a planting box for the black-eyed Susan memorial seed pack to plant in Odetta’s memory. A portion of the proceeds from the first 1,000 sales will go to Music Maker Relief Foundation to assist elderly blues and Americana artists in times of crisis and need.
The “Farm-to-Ear Tour” stresses the importance of supporting the local community. To show their support and thank fans, the Urban Cannibals duo will shop at local urban gardens and farmers markets, before preparing dinner for house concert attendees. The journey, taken entirely by train, begins in October and will be documented and released as a short film in spring 2012.
