Saxophonist & Vocalist, Paula Atherton Nominated Best Artist of 2024

Paula Atherton’s current single is “Moonlight Drive,” which was produced by Nelson Braxton, and written by Atherton and Nelson. It is currently still in the number four spot on the Smooth Jazz Network. Her single was released in June and is still holding strong on the charts. It is ranking high on the Billboard Charts as well. Atherton states, “You never know what is going to resonate with people. So many of my friends told me how much they enjoy listening to the single, 'Dancin’ Shoes,' and 'Open Road,' which went to the top 10 on the charts. "'Open Road' was added to a playlist last year called 'Smooth Jazz for Pets,' and at one point, it was getting 195,000 streams in 7 days!" Atherton made sure to thank all of the dogs and cats for listening, “Thank you dogs and cats of America!"

Anytime anyone tells me that my music made them happy, that’s about as good as it gets,” concludes Atherton.

Pets love music as much as we do!

Atherton has been a music artist from a young age, living life with joy doing work using her innate talent, which she has worked hard to refine. When asked about how many instruments she can play, her answer certainly didn’t disappoint. Stating, “I play alto sax, soprano sax, baritone sax (only on recordings), flute, and I sing (as well as write most of the music I perform). I play enough piano to get ideas into a computer.”
As soon as I started to study jazz, I knew that’s what I wanted to do, in my late teens.
As far as other types of music that I like, my favorites are traditional jazz, blues, rock, old school R & B, Latin, pop, classical- I’ll listen to anything as long as it’s good!”

Paula Atherton has been nominated for various accolades in the past, and there is still time to vote for her on the Smooth Jazz Network website today by following the link, and looking for Atherton’s profile, which connects to her website, where you can stream her music. Please take a moment to vote before midnight, today. December 1 Vote: Best Artist of 2024 | Smooth Jazz Network.

Atherton being a veteran in the music industry, continues to shine as an epic saxophonist and vocalist, who has had 13 top 30 singles, many of which went top ten, with two number one chart toppers on Billboard, and three number one hits on Mediabase. Additionally, excluding the songs as aforementioned, Atherton’s songs that have charted include “Can You Feel It,” “Sassy Strut,” “Herbie,” “Between You & Me,” “My Song for You,” “Into the Night, “New Color,” “Just Can’t Stop,”” Summer Song,” “Ready or Not,” and “Keep it Comin.”

Atherton has been on the Smooth Jazz Network since 2015. Her first song released on the station was “Pocketful of Funk,” from her fourth release “Ear Candy,” on Kalimba Music, the label that is owned by Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire.

Speaking about her Smooth Jazz Network nomination for Best Artist of 2024, Atherton states. “I am very honored to be on the list! ! There are so many great artists that have been nominated-all deserve to win. Winning best artist would be wonderful, I’m truly thrilled just being nominated!"

What does Paula Atherton love the most about being a music artist? “It’s the beauty of creating.” Atherton continued, “Creating something that wasn’t there before- starting with an idea, as a seed, and developing it into a tune is magical! She describes her husband as her “biggest cheerleader,” stating, “My Husband Lou also produces a lot of my music, and has co-written a bunch as well, he is my biggest cheerleader. After him, another who cheers me on and believes in me and my music is my manager, John Taylor.”

Others whom she would like to give a shout out to, and credit for their amazing contributions: “I’ve worked a lot with Greg Manning;” states Atherton, “he produced and co-wrote my first Billboard #1, 'Can You Feel ,' Greg also produced 'Just Can’t Stop,' 'Open Road,' and 'Dancin’ Shoes.' Nathan Mitchell produced my 2nd #1 on Billboard, 'Summer Song.' Nelson Braxton produced and co-wrote my current single, 'Moonlight Drive.'”

Paul Atherton’s upcoming shows include: Dec 6th at Blues Blvd in Greenville, SC, Dec 7th corporate show in Dallas, Dec 14th Holiday show at Attucks theater, Feb 15th Valentines show at Attucks theater. For more information visit her website at Paula Atherton.

Paula Atherton is also an associate producer on a forthcoming film project to create awareness to help many animals in need of foster and adoptive homes throughout the United States. Long time animal welfare advocate and rescuer, actress/producer, journalist and author of "Be Epic, Choose Love," (Amazon, Waterstones, Barnes and Noble) and "A Glimpse Into the Sunshine" and publisher Lisa J. Pellegrene - IMDb is directing and one of the Executive Producers on the film which will directly call for love-based action to help save the lives of many animals in need. Learn more about the project here: Let Love Lead the Way.

If you do one thing today on this beautiful Sunday play “Open Road” Open Road (Radio Edit) from the playlist “Smooth Jazz for Pets,” Atherton certainly has the pets vote, as well as the many pet parents who have enjoyed her music over the years. Check in with your pets today, see how they like “Open Road,” and then vote accordingly for your Best Artist of 2024 on Smooth Jazz Network.
Remember to cast your vote for the Best Artist of 2024 on the Smooth Jazz Network. Pet parents also listen to Atherton’s current single “Moonlight Drive,” ‎Moonlight Drive - Album by Universound - Apple Music and enjoy your day. Beautiful music helps us to do that for both human and animal - pets are people too.