The Color of Music: Red Yamaha Modus Energizes Point of Grace's Smash 'Winter Wonderland' Tour
BUENA PARK, Calif. — Platinum-selling Christian singing group Point of Grace is currently embarked on its smash, holiday-themed Winter Wonderland Tour, featuring special guest artist Ronnie Freeman accompanying the Dove Award-winning vocal group on a new, striking Velvet Rouge (red) Yamaha H01 MODUS Digital Piano.
The ensemble previously relied on a Yamaha Clavinova
CVP Digital Piano for its Winter Wonderland Tours, as well as the highly successful 2005 "I Choose You" Tour with Yamaha artist and 2007 American Idol Songwriting Competition winner, Scott Krippayne.
"This year's tour has been great," says Point of Grace vocalist Shelly Breen. "It's our first year working with Ronnie, and he's been terrific." Regarding the other tour "newcomer," Breen says, "Everyone has been raving about the new MODUS Digital Piano. We love it! It looks so pretty up on stage." Breen added that the instrument is most powerful during the quieter, more contemplative portions of the set. "There's something refreshing about vocals and keyboard when it's stripped down. It's so magical."
Now on tour through December 20, the Grammy nominated singers are performing signature holiday songs in their own style. As the highly-anticipated follow up to 1999's A Christmas Story, the current hit tour features favorite songs from the popular Winter Wonderland CD.
Freeman, who has used a Yamaha keyboard for several years, is equally taken with the MODUS. "I love it, love it, love it," he says. "It feels like a grand piano, just smaller. It has a great action." Freeman says he appreciates all the instrument's voices, but keeps gravitating back towards one in particular. "I primarily use the acoustic piano setting," he states, noting that it's shown off to powerful effect in the show during a bluesy, Harry Connick-like version of "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
Dove-award nominated artist and worship leader Ronnie Freeman's critically-acclaimed sophomore recording, *God Speaking* (White Apron Entertainment/KOCH Records), released last January, features the 2008 GMA Dove Award-nominated hit title cut. A sought-after songwriter, Freeman has penned selections recorded by Avalon, Mandisa, Michael English, Melissa Greene, The Daniel Doss Band and Daniel Kirkley, among others. He currently serves as an artist-in-residence at Nashville's Fellowship Bible Church and is actively involved with JH Ranch in California.
"This is the truth – I discussed this with my wife, who's a singer," reveals Freeman. "No other piano manufacturer offers a better piano sound, whether acoustic or digital, than Yamaha."
The fun-filled show takes a musical journey into the whimsical world of Santa, Frosty and Rudolph, as well as sacred music that explores the true meaning of Christmas. Produced by Brown Bannister (who has worked with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith), with vocal arrangements by Tim Davis, Michael Mellet and orchestral arrangements by Carl Marsh, Winter Wonderland is an eclectic blend of Christmas melodies set in bold, memorable backdrops.
With 10 holiday songs showcasing the group's intricate harmonies, both the CD and the live show include memorable versions of such classics as "Jingle Bells," as well as a "Santa Medley" including "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman."
Learn more at www.moduspiano.com. For further information on upcoming Point of Grace tour dates, click here.
For more information on the Yamaha MODUS line of digital pianos, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.
 Point of Grace |
"This year's tour has been great," says Point of Grace vocalist Shelly Breen. "It's our first year working with Ronnie, and he's been terrific." Regarding the other tour "newcomer," Breen says, "Everyone has been raving about the new MODUS Digital Piano. We love it! It looks so pretty up on stage." Breen added that the instrument is most powerful during the quieter, more contemplative portions of the set. "There's something refreshing about vocals and keyboard when it's stripped down. It's so magical."
Now on tour through December 20, the Grammy nominated singers are performing signature holiday songs in their own style. As the highly-anticipated follow up to 1999's A Christmas Story, the current hit tour features favorite songs from the popular Winter Wonderland CD.
Freeman, who has used a Yamaha keyboard for several years, is equally taken with the MODUS. "I love it, love it, love it," he says. "It feels like a grand piano, just smaller. It has a great action." Freeman says he appreciates all the instrument's voices, but keeps gravitating back towards one in particular. "I primarily use the acoustic piano setting," he states, noting that it's shown off to powerful effect in the show during a bluesy, Harry Connick-like version of "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
Dove-award nominated artist and worship leader Ronnie Freeman's critically-acclaimed sophomore recording, *God Speaking* (White Apron Entertainment/KOCH Records), released last January, features the 2008 GMA Dove Award-nominated hit title cut. A sought-after songwriter, Freeman has penned selections recorded by Avalon, Mandisa, Michael English, Melissa Greene, The Daniel Doss Band and Daniel Kirkley, among others. He currently serves as an artist-in-residence at Nashville's Fellowship Bible Church and is actively involved with JH Ranch in California.
 Ronnie Freeman |
The fun-filled show takes a musical journey into the whimsical world of Santa, Frosty and Rudolph, as well as sacred music that explores the true meaning of Christmas. Produced by Brown Bannister (who has worked with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith), with vocal arrangements by Tim Davis, Michael Mellet and orchestral arrangements by Carl Marsh, Winter Wonderland is an eclectic blend of Christmas melodies set in bold, memorable backdrops.
With 10 holiday songs showcasing the group's intricate harmonies, both the CD and the live show include memorable versions of such classics as "Jingle Bells," as well as a "Santa Medley" including "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman."
Learn more at www.moduspiano.com. For further information on upcoming Point of Grace tour dates, click here.
For more information on the Yamaha MODUS line of digital pianos, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.