Beth Stalker took the stage at Friday’s Concert in the Park.
‘I love to sing. It’s a joy,? said Stalker, who started singing at 3 years old. She released her first album four years ago, entitled ‘Jesus Loves Me.? She was known as ‘Little Liz? when she was younger.
‘My first name was Elizabeth, but I got teased a lot about my name growing up,? said Stalker. ‘So after junior high, I changed my name to Beth.?
Stalker continued to sing throughout high school in musicals and choir; she also formed a Christian folk band with a couple of friends. After high school, the band was unable to continue, and it was at this point that Stalker was introduced to Jazz and became a lover of Jazz vocal styles.
Some of Stalker’s musical inspirations include: Eva Cassidy, Patty Griffin, Ella Fitzgerald and Jennifer Knapp.
In 2004 Beth released her album ‘Here with You.? The recording took more than a year, she said.
‘It was originally just supposed to be a demo cd,? she said. ‘However, during the process of writing and recording we (my songwriter Allan Goetz and I) just kept writing.?
In return the ‘demo? turned into an 11 track disc, which also landed Stalker 6 awards at the Detroit Music Awards in April 2005.
‘It’s awesome when we won the awards,? said Stalker I didn’t expect to take home any, winning six out of seven awards was definitely one of the best nights for sure.?
In 2005 Stalker also released her first Jazz album that she recorded with the Cliff Monear Trio entitled: ‘Hallelujah I Love Him So.?
Stalker who used to play quite a bit at the Clarkston Caf? said that she always enjoys coming to Clarkston to perform.
‘Clarkston Caf? is probably the best group of people we’ve performed for, they are very supportive, we made a lot of friends from there,? Stalker noted. ‘Clarkston is the best crowd we’ve ever played, for sure.
Stalker always enjoys performing concerts.
‘The biggest thing is I have people that are paying attention, an engaged audience that cares about what you’re doing. Having my friends and family there supporting me, and having a live band behind me is always exciting, instead of just me and my guitar,? said Stalker.
Her favorite songs to perform for concerts include ‘Black Horse and The Cherry Tree? by KT Tunstall, and the love song that she wrote for her husband Noel ‘I can’t imagine.?
‘I always make him come up on stage when I sing it,? she noted.
When not in the studio or on stage Stalker enjoys spending time with her 1 year old daughter, Chloe. She also enjoys surfing the internet and drawing.
‘If I was not into music I would have done something in the arts,? said Stalker. ‘I love to paint and to draw.?
Stalker is currently in the process of writing new songs for a new album. It will be a Christian Rock album similar to her ‘Here with You? album. All of her songs have a spiritual context to them, and they all deal with life’s situations.
‘I write about the feelings that I went through to get to that point,? Stalker said.
For more information about Beth or upcoming concerts check out www.BethStalker.com