Christine Albert

Last updated

Christine Albert
Born1955 (age 6869)
Rome, New York, USA
GenresPop/rock, folk, country
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, philanthropic executive
Instrument(s)vocal, guitar
Years active1990–present
LabelsMoonHouse Records
Dos
Gambini Global
Member ofAlbert and Gage
Website Official website

Christine Albert (born 1955) is an American singer-songwriter. Her music is French bilingual, with Texas country. [1] She is the founder of the compassionate non-profit Swan Songs, an organization that fulfills musical last wishes of individuals nearing the end of their lives. [2] Albert serves as chair emeritus of the board of trustees for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. [3]

Contents

Early life

Born and raised in Rome, New York, at age 16 she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she began her music career, and then relocated to Austin, Texas in 1982.

Music career

Adopting Austin as her home base, she frequently played in clubs, releasing her first album in 1990. Since then she has recorded and released more than a dozen additional albums as a solo artist or as a member of Albert and Gage. [1] Albert has also performed on three dozen other musical albums as guest artist or backup vocalist with such artists as B.W. Stevenson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Erik Moll, 8½ Souvenirs, Max Stalling, Green Carnation, Eliza Gilkyson, and Marcia Ball.

In 1994 she appeared on the PBS music television program Austin City Limits with Paul Glasse. [4]

From 2007 to 2015 Albert served on the Board of Trustees for The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization that presents the Grammy Awards. During her period of service on the board, she was elected National Chairperson. In 2017 she returned to the board, serving as Chair Emeritus. [3] [5]

Albert co-hosts Mystery Monday, a weekly show at the South Austin's Tex-Mex restaurant, the El Mercado, featuring some of Austin's most popular musicians. [6]

Charitable work

In 2005 Albert founded Swan Songs, a charitable organization dedicated to the fulfillment of musical last wishes through private concerts in and around Austin, Texas. [7] Concerts are held in hospitals, care facilities and private homes. Swan Songs matches the musical request with the requested musician, style of music, or a particular instrument. Patients, family or facilities are never charged for this service. In 2017 Swan Songs organized 353 concerts for terminally ill individuals, performed by 167 different musicians. [2]

Personal life

Albert lives in Austin, Texas with her music partner and husband Chris Gage. [8]

Discography

Solo studio albums

YearTitle
1990You Are Gold
1992Texafrance
1993The High Road
1995Underneath the Lone Star Sky
2003Texafrance Encore
2008Paris, Texasfrance
2014Everything's Beautiful Now

Albums with Albert and Gage

YearTitle
1997Jumpin’ Tracks
2001Boxcars
2001Burnin’ Moonlight
2001One More Christmas
2003Albert and Gage at Anderson Fair (Live)
2005Cry Love
2009Dakota Lullaby

Albert and Gage other appearances

YearTitleContribution
2000Texas Songwriters#6 Hey Jimmy
2002Texas to the Bone, Vol 3#10 Life is a Miracle
2002Kerrville Folk Festival: Silver Wolf Years 7 discsdisc No. 6, #6 Hey Jimmy
2010Wings of War -SinglePrimary artists

Awards

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References

  1. 1 2 Ankeny, Jason. "Christine Albert, biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Gagnon, Amanda (January 15, 2018). "Terminally Ill Patients Receive Gift of Music from Nonprofit Swan Songs". theAustinot. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Corporate Governance – Board Of Trustees". NARAS / Grammy.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  4. "Leonard Cohen followed by Christine Albert with Paul Glasse, Austin City Limits, Season 19, Episode 10". TV.com. March 26, 1994. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Nicholson, Jessica (June 6, 2019). "The Recording Academy Names National Officers of the Board of Trustees". MusicRow. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  6. Blackstock, Peter (December 25, 2016). "Just another Mystery Monday at El Mercado". austin360 by Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  7. Davis, Lisa (October 15, 2019). "Texas Essentials: Musician Christine Albert, Swan Songs Founder". Texas Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  8. staff writer (September 14, 2016). "Musical Valentines: Christine Albert and Chris Gage". The Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  9. "Christine Albert – Biography". last.fm. London, UK. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  10. "Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame 2018 Inductees". austinsongwritersgroup.com/. Austin, Texas: Austin Songwriters Group. Retrieved May 11, 2020.