Atlantic Beach, Florida
57 Years Old
Singer-Songwriter

writer profile >

"This moment has never been before ..." - Victoria Williams"

BIOGRAPHY

Performing singer-songwriter Terry Whitehead has music running through his blood. He grew up listening to his father who was an accomplished guitarist in the style of Chet Atkins and has been singing since he was old enough to talk.

Terry’s earliest performing experiences were singing in the church and at weddings. For awhile he tried his hand as a lead singer in a rock band but after becoming an active participant in local “Songwriters Nights” and “Acoustic Nights” he decided to leave the band to focus on songwriting and more acoustic-based performing.

He was encouraged by other local singer-songwriters to record his songs and began doing just that and produced his debut album, Perfect Wave released in 2008. The title song is inspired by his love of the Atlantic coast where he has lived for many years. The recording is a collection of all originals that are leaving an impressive track record in several songwriter contests such as Billboard international (Happy Valley Folks: "Lots of great crisp sounds. Very raw and real. Nice work.") and the UK Songwriting contest where Happy Valley Folks was a semi-finalist in 2008. Songs from Perfect Wave have been in rotation on several online radio stations and are available for purchase at all of the common sites such as iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, etc.
Terry also is the band leader and co-lead vocalist for the Americana Rock band "Red Afternoon."

LEVEL

semi-pro

GENRES

Singer/Songwriter, Alternative Country, Americana/Roots

PUBLISHING COMPANY

Terry Whitehead, I own my own publishing

Contact

Administrative: Terry Whitehead

P.R.O.

BMI

INFLUENCES

Joni Mitchell Bob Dylan Paul Simon James Taylor CSN&Y;

DAY JOB

Working on making it all about music ...

I AM INTERESTED IN

in co writing online
in co writing in person
in networking with songwriters
in pitching songs to artist
in pitching songs to tv
in getting a publishing deal

I WRITE:

When I'm in the mood

I Also Write:
by myself
with others
for myself
for others

I Prefer To Write:
lyrics
melody
music

experience >

SONG PLACEMENTS

Various songs from Perfect Wave are being played on many online radio stations around the world. Selected as "Vocalists For Hire" - www.atlmovementradio.com. Songs such as "Muscle and Bone" have been played in Second Life virtual world website's Horizontal Boogie Bar or Toby's Juke Joint. RMR Music selected "Sleeping Child" for their charitable compilation, Project Cure. Project Cure has a vision to provide families or individuals in their time of need with an outlet (music) that they can relate to, gain strength and encouragement from, while also donating all of the proceeds to benefit the Immune Deficiency Foundation, National Ataxia Foundation, and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. Selected for a live performance for Gap Store's 1969 jeans campaign and the song "Crush" is featured on the website. Terry's new song "So I Am" is part of just released Indie Music Cancer Drive compilation. The goal of the compilation is to raise money to benefit the American Cancer Society through their Relay for Life Campaign.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

"Happy Valley Folks" is a semi-finalist in the UK Songwriting contest 2008 and an "honorable mention" in the 16th annual Billboard World Song Contest 2008. HVF also gained recognition by 100% Music Songwriting Contest 2008 and Independent Singer Songwriters Award Contest 2008. "Sleeping Child" has been recognized in theIndependent Singer Songwriters Association Contest - 2008, the UK Songwriting contest - 2008, and Peacedriven Songwriting Award 2008. "Sleeping Child" also won an award in the 2008 Amelia Island Songwriting Festival songwriting contest. Terry performed it in the "grand finale" for the song of the year finals in front of four judges including Jim Brickman, Jason Blume, and a songwriting rep from BMI. "Muscle and Bone" selected as a "very honorable mention" in the Gary Allen Nashville Songwriting Competition. Gary is the editor of The Music City Beat and drummer for Charlie Daniels Band and JJ Cale. Billboard Songwriting Contest comments on "Happy Valley Folks:" "Lots of great crisp sounds. Very raw and real. Nice work. " Happy Valley Folks: The vocals are delivered with a strong performance and you really feel completely enveloped in the song. The arrangement is outstanding and really 'paints a picture'. The harmonica really underlines the arrangement. Nice chorus. Just a nice tune. They 'can' play! You are obviously very experienced as it shows in your work . Your EPK is put together nicely and credentials impressive ... I will also keep it in reference for any commercial projects that may come up. Great work and Best Wishes to You! David/ Crescent Music and Media" "The Hardest Part [is the waiting ...]" His debut album, 'Perfect Wave' takes the listener, song by song, through snapshots of [Terry's] life. In the opening title track, he declares his love for the titular perfect wave. Most listeners would assume he's referring to surfing, but Whitehead says, 'it was boogie boarding for me --- as unglamorous and funny as that sounds.' Kara Pound - Folio Weekly " After listening to a few of Terry’s songs from his CD Perfect Wave, I think you will like what you hear. Add this album to your collection, and cheer on a local artist as he continues to grow musically." - Buzz Entertainmenet Magazone Terry Whitehead is a great songwriter and singer who tells amazing stories through his music. Whitehead's style of music in the Americana genre is the perfect setting for this artist overall powerful lyrics and deep commanding voice. He captures the essence of storytelling through how he delivers his music through everyday references of life's ups and downs." - Juniors Cave Online Magazine [Terry’s] “songwriting, singing, and overall style are outstanding ... “ - Larry Whitler of Ocala Live WOCA."

>>

Q&A: Bright Eyes

After a brief stint as a solo artist, Conor Oberst has revived Bright Eyes to release The People’s Key, an album that deals with the nature of time, spirituality, and human existence. Also, it’s Rastafarian friendly.

>>

Alison Krauss: The Golden Girl

These days, many Nashville-based artists co-write their own material with big name songwriters so they can share a piece of the royalty pie in times of declining CD sales. But the truth is, a lot of those co-writes can’t match the work of people whose calling in life is to create high-quality songs above anything else.

>>

Jessica Lea Mayfield: Look At Miss Ohio

“Things are starting to get weird.”

Jessica Lea Mayfield, whose Nonesuch Records debut Tell Me is in stores now, is on the phone from her home in Ohio and we’re having a good laugh over her recent success. It’s beer o’clock on both ends of the phone, the last interview in a long week of talking to complete strangers for the two of us.

>>

Cadillac Sky

Cadillac Sky should be a lot more tired. It’s early Saturday afternoon at MerleFest and the band–Bryan Simpson, Matt Menefree, Andrew Moritz, Ross Holmes and newest addition David Mayfield–has already logged two performances on the day....