Archives for: September 2009

LOS ANGELES CA (Sept. 30, 2009) – Music recording artist Laura Bryna has signed an international record and licensing agreement with AGR Television Records in Hamburg, Germany. AGR is distributed by the international division of Universal Music Group.
AGR Television Records distributes such well known U.S. artists as Tracy Lawrence and Mark Chesnutt. The new CD by Bryna, ‘Trying to be Me’, will be a collection of previously released music in addition to some new material by the petite brunette with the powerhouse voice and will be released early next year.
The international version has several bonus tracks (“Out the Window” and “I Don’t Have a Thing to Wear”). The agreement with AGR and Bryna is a multi CD deal. The multi faceted performer is currently working on material for a follow up CD sometime in late 2010.
“We’re excited to be a part of Laura Bryna’s success and rapidly growing popularity,” said Rolf J. Schmidt, Managing Director of AGR Television Records. “Coming off the heels of a sold out performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, a number of critically acclaimed performances around the U.S. with A-list headliners and a growing fan base in Europe tells us that Laura is poised to break out to a worldwide audience.”
“Having the opportunity to reach a worldwide audience is a dream come true,” said Bryna. “I’m looking forward to supporting the efforts of AGR with appearances throughout Europe and to meeting new fans wherever that takes us.”
Bryna has been busy working on new music as well as film and television opportunities. She is the celebrity spokesperson for the United States Air Guard’s national media campaign and co-wrote the campaign’s theme song “Hometown Heroes.” She recently celebrated the women of the Air Guard and America’s Hometown Heroes at the House of Blues. In addition to her work with the Air Guard, Bryna is celebrity spokesperson for the National Guard’s Youth Foundation and sits on the board of directors for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Earlier this year, Bryna’s single, “Make A Wish”, spent 10 consecutive weeks on AOL Billboard’s Most Streamed Download charts. Bryna is considered a crossover artist, with her music being a mix of country rock and pop. For more information on Laura Bryna, please visit www.laurabryna.com.

Laura Bryna talked with John Lewis on 6PR 882 AM Radio. It airs Fridays and Saturdays, from midnight to 6AM (local time), and the program is broadcast live to all capital cities and is the #1 local talk radio show in Perth, Australia. Laura shared career, music and new international record deal! LISTEN HERE!

By AUDREY PARENTE - news-journalonline.com
She was sound asleep close to midnight recently when the phone rang and a voice on the line shouted "You won! You won!"
"I won what?" said a sleepy Cynthia "Cindy" Simmons, who often goes to bed early.
Her prize wasn't anything as tangible as a million dollars, but more like a million thanks for her life's work.
Turns out someone discovered Simmons was a hero, and the late-night call was from Maryann Matthews-Johnson of Ormond Beach -- one mother among many hundreds in Volusia County whose children Simmons has influenced positively during 28 years as director of Children's Musical Theatre Workshop.
Matthews-Johnson nominated Simmons as a "Hometown Hero" in an online contest sponsored by Southern Beauty magazine and country recording artist Laura Bryna, whose recent song release, "Hometown Heroes," was adopted by the Air National Guard for use in advertising and recruiting.
Bryna was working with Southern Beauty magazine, planning an article featuring five female Guard members when the contest idea materialized.
"I said there are so many other people who are hometown heroes who never get recognized," Bryna said during a recent phone interview. A call was put out for nominations.
Simmons was one of five civilians from thousands of nominees across the country selected for the award. The 55-year-old was flown, with her daughter Jennifer Simmons along for moral support, to Bryna's CD release party at House of Blues on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.
The award, presented on Aug. 10, came with a glamour package, parties, celebrities, a concert and a whirlwind of activity.
"I have been singing and entertaining since I could walk," said Bryna, who served as one of the contest judges. "Cindy (Simmons) is a gem. I grew up around musical theater, acting and singing. I have been so fortunate to reach for my dream. I think what Cindy does is an amazing thing and gives so many a chance to live their dreams."
Simmons was born into a military family living in Oklahoma and moved every year until 10th grade, when her father became assistant surgeon general in the Public Health Service and settled in Washington D.C. She said she went to college for accounting but didn't do well in economics and business.
Instead, one semester before graduation, she followed her heart and her husband, Bruce, into the arts and eventually landed in Ormond Beach. At first she involved herself in shows and teaching children at the Daytona Playhouse. Later, with two others, she began Childrens' Musical Theatre at Nova Recreation Center in Ormond Beach. The program moved for a time to The Casements and then to the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center.
Her three children all followed her into the arts: Jennifer, 32, business manager for Children's Musical Theatre; Stephen, 30, stage sound technician (with Children's Musical Theatre and local karaoke act Stormin' Norman) and an actor; and Crisi, 23, New York American Ballet Theatre certified dance director for CMT.
For five years the program had a private studio on Nova Road, but the economic downturn forced a return to the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center where it continues to attract children from 3 to 18.
"My youngest daughter, Katie, was very, very shy and quiet," said Simmons' nominator, Matthews-Johnson said in a phone interview. "Cindy got her involved in a play at St. Paul's (school where Simmons taught) and then had her join CMT. Katie went from someone who didn't talk to anyone to someone known for her speaking abilities. She went on to participate in the Miss America organization where she won thousands of dollars in scholarships.
"Cindy did that for hundreds and hundreds of kids who have come through her program," Matthews-Johnson said.
Simmons said she didn't know anything about the hero award until the call.
"She said, 'You are going to be flown out to California,' " Simmons recalled. "I was very thankful, honored, excited and confused. There are people who saved children from dying of cancer who would be more of a hero than me."
Simmons daughter Jennifer said although her mother "may not see it, she does touch every single one of the children's lives, including children who have disabilities and no outlet. She gives them a chance, and she's just too modest to realize it."

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

from Sarah Nean Bruce Bruce on Vimeo.
International recording artist Laura Bryna made her Los Angeles debut August 10th at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood California. The exclusive concert event featured a special tribute to a group of Ten American 'Hometown Heroes' - five outstanding unsung civilians and five remarkable women from the Air National Guard - who were chosen in a national search as people deserving of recognition for their commitment to community and country. The Heroes were flown to L.A. as part of a national search contest sponsored by Bryna, Southern Beauty magazine, JOICO, Its A Glam Thing and the Andaz Hotel.
While in Los Angeles, the Honorees were treated to a special dinner party at The Palm restaurant, toured the city courtesy of Starline Tours of Hollywood, stayed at the stunning West Hollywood Andaz Hotel on the Sunset Strip across the street from the House of Blues where the special concert was held in their honor, then continued to celebrate and reflect upon the night at the Andaz's RH Restaurant & Bar After-Party.
Ms. Bryna performed songs from her debut CD, Trying to be Me, including one of her signature tunes "Hometown Heroes" which she sang to the Honorees on stage with her, as well as rolling out some new material destined for a follow up CD in 2010.
Thank you to Producer and Beauty News Reporter Sarah Nean Bruce, alongside her loyal DP Eduardo Quintino, participated in and covered the festivities on behalf of It's A Glam Thing (who also present and sponsor the Get Glam TV series).