Muriel Anderson Chosen as the "Artist of the Week"

Nashville, TN - Acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Muriel Anderson has been selected as the "Artist of the Week" by the Tennessee Arts Commission. This week, the Tennessee Arts Online newsletter is featuring Anderson along with art-related state and regional news. The Tennessee Arts Commission's weekly e-mail newsletter, Tennessee Arts Online, selects an Artist of the Week for each issue. These artists may be performing artists or visual artists, and they are selected based on their contribution to the arts in Tennessee. Those selected have made significant contributions to the arts and have brought recognition and attention to the arts in the State of Tennessee.

"We selected Muriel as 'Artist of the Week' in our weekly newsletter because of her exceptional talent and contributions to the performing arts in Tennessee," says Dennis Adkins, Communications Director for the Tennessee Arts Commission. "She has the reputation of being one of the world's best guitar instrumentalists, performing with such greats as Les Paul and the late guitar legend Chet Atkins. Based in Tennessee, Muriel has brought even greater recognition to the Nashville music scene by widening the boundaries of music recorded and produced here. Defying labels, she performs in a variety of styles, everything from classical to jazz, folk and bluegrass to international music. And she does it all with great skill, originality and artistry."

"It's an honor to be chosen as the 'Artist of the Week' by the Tennessee Arts Commission as I greatly respect their efforts on behalf of the arts," comments Muriel Anderson.

Anderson's latest project, Wildcat, inspired by her experiences on the road, takes listeners as far away as Europe and Rio de Janeiro and then brings them back to the park where Anderson likes to walk and listen to the birds. With special guests, including popular jazz drummer Danny Gottlieb, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and legendary instrumental rocker/guitarist Duane Eddy, jazz guitarist and the first "touch virtuoso" Stanley Jordan, Grammy and Dove Award winning member of Take 6 Mark Kibble, Les Paul bassist Nicki Parrot and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra strings, the songs spring to life.

Wildcat, is already receiving high praise. Tennessee's own MusicNewsNashville.com raves that Anderson's "guitar playing is pristine; her fingerpicking style is precise; her voice is beautiful and this CD is a work of art." 20th Century Guitar magazine says, "The tunes grab the ear, steering the listener on a journey through Muriel's world experiences geographically and, more importantly, spiritually. Having roots in country music as well as South American flavorings, she has captured a new genre, 'Bossa-americana.'" Minor 7th Magazine proclaims Anderson an "instrumental wizard," adding, "Those who like Muriel Anderson's guitar playing will be pleased with the addition of her voice-she's now singing two ways in her music."

Muriel Anderson is well respected by her peers and music lovers alike. In fact, the late guitar legend Chet Atkins called her "a good friend and great guitarist." Renowned guitarist Les Paul says she plays the guitar "like we all wish to play." Anderson has 13 CDs, six videos/DVDs and six guitar books published by Hal Leonard, Mel Bay and Japanese music company Zen-On to her name. She has been writing music since she was six years old and has composed music for solo guitar, classical, choral and orchestral works. She even has the distinction of having her 1999 album, Heartstrings, carried into space by shuttle astronauts. Anderson is the host and originator of the renowned "Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night" and founder of the Music for Life Alliance Charity, a national organization which assists and unites efforts to make the joy of playing a musical instrument accessible to every child. To learn more about the Music for Life Alliance, visit www.musicforlifealliance.com.

Wildcat is available at www.murielanderson.com and is distributed through Burnside Distribution. Additional information about Muriel Anderson and her album are available by visiting www.murielanderson.com.

The mission of the Tennessee Arts Commission is to ensure the citizens of Tennessee have access to and participate in the arts. Hundreds of arts organizations - large and small, urban and rural - contribute daily to the rich cultural life of Tennessee. Through a variety of programs the Commission demonstrates a strong commitment toward encouraging excellence in artistic expression by supporting the state's artists and arts organizations. For additional information, or to subscribe to the Tennessee Arts Online newsletter, visit the Tennessee Arts Commission's website at www.arts.state.tn.us.

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To schedule an interview or for further information, contact:

Lynn McCain or Brenda Smotherman
McCain & Co. Public Relations
PH: 615-262-1727
FAX: 615-262-0058
Email: lynn@mccainpr.com
Email: brenda@mccainpr.com

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