Smitty: Rachelle Farrell and Kem, how ‘bout that?
AR: Yes, Kem…he’s a great person and really very down to earth. I enjoy working with him.
Smitty: And speaking of that, you will be performing with Kem in Houston as a “Special Guest” on March 17th. You must excited about that.
AR: Yes, I’m thrilled to be sharing the stage with Kem, he’s a great entertainer and it’s an honor to work with him in any capacity. It will be an exciting night of great music.
Smitty: Yeah, and what a mix that is. When you’re performing with these great artists, how are you able to allow yourself to keep your voice; because sometimes it can be a little overwhelming working with fantastic artists like Kem, Earl Klugh, the late Art Porter, and individuals like that, that are great talents. How are you able to keep your grounded sense of playing and let your voice deliver when you’re in those types of experiences?
AR: Well, because I feel that the gift that I have is a God given gift, I’m working through Him. So when I’m performing, I’m just expressing. So it really isn’t about any competition or anything. It’s about expression. I just put everything outside of my mind except making sure that I’m expressing what I have inside.
Smitty: Very cool. I like that, very sweet. You’re going to release this record in February, any idea what’s going to radio first?
AR: “In the Moment” is the title track. That’s the single and that’s going to be the first single for radio.
Smitty: Excellent choice. I must say that I am just in love with this artwork on this CD.
AR: I don’t have to tell you what I did to get to that point. It’s safe to say that I haven’t had any surgery. (Both laughing)
Smitty: Oh, man. Well, that’s good to know, but I will tell you that its great artwork and my hats off to everyone involved in putting this whole cover together, the liner notes and everything, because it is truly magnificent. Man, oh, man.
AR: Well, the heart of Chocolate Caramel is Luther, my husband, and he definitely has been very supportive through all of this, and all of the artwork and the Web site, marketing, strategy, that area I have to say, that’s him.
Smitty: Yeah, Luther’s a great talent himself, that’s for sure.
AR: Yes, he is.
Smitty: Speaking of your website, give me your web address.
AR: www.althearene.com.
Smitty: All right. I’ve been to your web site on numerous occasions and I must say it is a very well designed site, so I’ve got to give it up for Luther.
AR: Thank you.
Smitty: Very user friendly and you can hear some of the great tracks on there and some great photos, and it’s very informative. I love the site.
AR: Oh, great. Thank you, thank you. That’s what we hope to do, you know, and keep it updated. That’s the main thing, so that when you go there you can get a feel of where I’m performing and what I’m doing. That’s the best place to keep up with me.
Smitty: Oh, very cool. All right, and people can e-mail you there as well?
AR: Oh yeah, and I do respond to e-mails.
Smitty: That’s a beautiful thing that you communicate with your fans.
AR: I try to.
Smitty: Yeah, I think it’s fantastic when artists can respond and interact with their fans as to their feelings and questions, that kind of thing. I think that’s very cool.
AR: Yeah, it’s very important.
Smitty: So what’s up for Althea Rene this spring and the summer? What’s happening?
AR: Well, I’m going be doing a promotional tour to support IN THE MOMENT, so I’ll be going to various cities and doing signings and in-store promotional things.
Smitty: Nice!
AR: And I’ll also be working closely with radio. Doing interviews and possibly perform. So I’ll definitely be performing in different cities, doing festivals, oh yeah.
Smitty: All right. So now, give the fans an idea of what they can expect when they come to an Althea Rene performance.
AR: They can expect to be shocked. They can expect to be entertained, and definitely hear some sounds and feel some things that they have not….hopefully that you haven’t felt in a long time or maybe never. (Laughing)
