Kristy Starling

by Kristy Starling

Overview

In the mid-'80s, the flimsy wall that existed between CCM and secular pop music was gloriously kicked to the ground when A&M pushed Amy Grant through the barrier. Others followed, and it wasn't long before the field of CCM expanded to include country, rock, metal, and even rap; however, the radio-friendly pop that began the whole influx was pushed backwards as faithful listeners complained about the lack of spirituality in the music, prompting artists to retreat and rebuild that crumbled wall with overtly religious and sentimental songs. It seemed the days of crossover superstars like Amy Grant were over, but Kristy Starling has arrived on the scene with a chance to break through to the masses once again. On her self-titled debut disc, Starling combines faint spiritual messages with pop music that reflects the sounds of Celine Dion or Faith Hill, and the results trump any recent release by a secular diva. The success of the disc begins immediately with the surging chorus and elegant strings of "Water," a song similar in tone and texture to Vanessa Carlton's hit "A Thousand Miles." Vocally, Starling demonstrates that she is prepared to take on any pop powerhouse, as proven with her soaring voice on the finale of "Broken" and the beautiful choruses of "Something More (I Need to Praise You)," a Diane Warren-style power ballad. When revisited in the context of CCM, a couple of recent hits get their meanings tweaked, as Starling sounds more natural than Josh Groban on "To Where You Are" and more convincing than LeAnn Rimes on "I Need You." All the elements are there for a hit record -- quality songwriting, understated lyrics, beautiful vocals, excellent production (featuring famed producer David Foster), major-label backing from Curb/Warner Bros., and exposure from her appearance on NBC's Today Show talent contest. All combined, this successful debut should help escort Starling through the CCM crowd and into a world where pop music lovers can sing her praises as well. The word "star" is not simply part of her name, it is what Kristy Starling deserves to become. ~ Aaron Latham

Product Details

Release Date:	05/15/2020
Label:	Warner Bros. / Word / Word Distribution
UPC:	0080688626327

Tracks

1. Water
2. As Long as We're Here
3. Broken
4. There Will Come a Day
5. Something More (I Need to Praise You)
6. You Love Me Like That
7. All for You
8. To Where You Are
9. Must Have Been Angels
10. I Need You

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kristy Starling   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Alex Nifong   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Pete Kipley   Guitar (Electric),Bass,Guitar (Acoustic)
Tracy Ferrie   Bass
Richard Marx   Keyboards
The Nashville String Machine   Strings
Nirva Dorsaint   Vocals (Background)
Billy Mann   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Dan Needham   Drums
Mark Hill   Bass
Erin O'Donnell   Vocals (Background)
Rob Mathes   Conductor
Lisa Cochran   Vocals (Background)
Eric Darken   Percussion
Tim Akers   Piano
Desmond Pringle   Vocals (Background)
Jerry McPherson   Guitar (Electric)
David Foster   Piano
Dan Warner   Guitar
Michael Hart Thompson   Guitar
Chris Rodriguez   Guitar (Acoustic)

Technical Credits

David Kaufman   Wardrobe
Dan Shike   Assistant
Tammie Harris Cleek   Creative Director
Pete Kipley   String Arrangements,Producer,Programming
Richard Marx   Arranger,Composer,Producer
David Cole   Engineer
Dan Muckala   Producer,Programming,String Arrangements
Aimee Mayo   Composer
Jay Smith   Design
George Rowe   Composer
Gary Burr   Composer
Billy Mann   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Programming
F. Reid Shippen   Mixing,Engineer
John Saylor   Assistant
Jan Buckingham   Composer
Ty Lacy   Composer
Dave Reitzas   Engineer
Alejandro Rodriguez   Assistant
Rob Mathes   String Arrangements
William Ross   Arranger
Bill Luther   Composer
Chris Lindsey   Composer
J.R. McNeely   Engineer
Humberto Gatica   Mixing
Pete Wallace   Programming
Matt Prock   Engineer
David Foster   Arranger,Producer,Executive Producer
Lee Bridges   Assistant,Digital Editing
Tom Coyne   Mastering
Daniel O'Lannerghty   Orchestration
Jess Cates   Composer
Ray Roper   Design
Wayne Tester   Composer
Melanie Shelley   Make-Up,Hair Stylist
Guy Zabka   Composer
Barry Landis   Executive Producer
Christian Robles   Assistant
Trina Harmon   Composer
Shawn McSpadden   A&R
Tyler Hayes Bieck   Composer
Bridgett Evans O'Lannerghty   Production Coordination
Jochem van der Saag   Drum Programming
Linda Thompson-Jenner   Composer
Lisa Sciascia   Photography
Jaymes Foster-Levy   A&R
Nick Marshall   Assistant