Donna Ulisse
Singer, Songwriter, Bluegrass Poet
Donna is first guest on BDME TV's Shell Shocked!
Left to right: Donna, Larry Shell (The Rev), Rick Stanley and Donna's producer Keith Sewell.
Left to right: Donna, Larry Shell (The Rev), Rick Stanley and Donna's producer Keith Sewell.
"What we know for sure is that the industry we've known and worked in for the past thirty years is changing" said Zavitson, a songwriter, publisher and producer. "Record sales are down and the ship, as we know it, is sinking. BDME.tv and Larry's program, "Shell Shocked," are our way of saying we're not going down without a fight. We're zigging when most others are zagging and in the process, we believe that we'll be able to create a new platform for the delivery of truly great music and the people who make it.
Bluegrass singer songwriter Donna Ulisse was invited to be the first guest on "Shell Shocked". Ulisse has a history in Nashville as a traditional country singer who had a record deal on Atlantic Records in the 1990's and after turning her attention to songwriting discovered her natural instinct for writing and singing bluegrass music. With three releases in the genre to her credit and a fourth coming out in June of 2011, she has become one of the new favorites to many bluegrass music fans.
Shell, whose 2001 CMA Song-of-the-Year "Murder on Music Row," blasted the big-label music machine for the demise of traditional country music, will host the channel's first program, "Shell Shocked," an interview-style format with a mission to recognize quality music and musicians. Over the past several years, Shell, known to his fans as, "The Rev," has attracted a loyal following on Facebook and via his live "Kill Nashville Pop" show held periodically throughout Nashville.
"What's happened to music, especially traditional country music, over the past three decades is tragic," said Shell. "I've spent time at three different labels and have seen the killing first hand and it's not right. Most labels today are more interested in making money than in making music and they have created an environment where radio stations force feed listeners a whole lot of crap. The shame is that there are thousands of really talented and dedicated singers, songwriters and musicians who never get heard. I'm looking forward to helping at least a few of them get the attention they deserve with my show, "Shell Shocked."
Zavitson, who was heavily influenced by the Beatles and started his career in Muscle Shoals, Ala., said that the launch of Shell Shocked is just a taste of what's in store for the channel. Additional programming is in development and plans are in the works to expand the offering to include user-generated programming that will appeal to a variety of ages, interests and musical genres. "We're actively seeking acts of all genres to feature - regardless of whether they're part of a label or not," said Zavitson.
To book an act or to learn more about partnership opportunities, contact Denise Wolf
Click here to view all of Donna's interview and performance segments.
