Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, May 2012: NEW ARTIST JULIE ELIAS KICKS OFF SUMMER TOUR AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S SPIRIT WEST COAST

NEW ARTIST JULIE ELIAS KICKS OFF SUMMER TOUR AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S SPIRIT WEST COAST

Singer/Songwriter Lands Performance Slots
on Eight Major U.S. Christian Festivals

NEWS SOURCE: McCain & Co. PR
May 23, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 23, 2012) - New artist Julie Elias kicks off a full summer touring schedule May 26 at Spirit West Coast, the three-day Del Mar, Calif., Christian music festival. The singer/songwriter takes the Main Stage May 26 and 27 before City Harmonic and Chris August, respectively. Spirit West Coast is the first stop on an impressive line-up of eight major Christian music festivals throughout the U.S. where Elias will be touring in support of her upcoming debut CD, A Wild Rose, due out this summer.

"Over the years, Spirit West Coast has become a can't-miss destination for youth groups across my home state of California and I am honored to be a part of it! To play original songs from my first record on the same stage as TobyMac, Newsboys and other hugely influential artists is a true privilege," Elias says. "To say I am bouncing off the walls with anticipation is an understatement!"

Following Spirit West Coast, Elias will head east to AtlantaFest in Stone Mountain, Ga., where she will sing on June 16, followed by a Main Stage performance on June 22 at Ichthus Music Festival in Wilmore, Ky. Elias rounds out her summer as a Main Stage performer at Creation 2012 Northeast in Mt. Union, Pa., on June 30; Cornerstone Festival 2012 in Bushnell, Ill., on July 6; Lifest in Oshkosh, Wis., on July 13; Sonshine Festival in Wilmar, Minn., on July 14; and Creation 2012 Northwest in Enumclaw, Wash., on July 20.

For more information about Elias and A Wild Rose, visit julieeliasmusic.com, or follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/julieeliasmusic) or Twitter (@julieeliasmusic).

About Julie Elias:
Elias' career spanned various facets of the arts - from leading worship to musical theater - before the singer/songwriter fully embraced her calling to become a recording artist. Though she's wholeheartedly committed to help listeners tap into their God-ordained purpose, she didn't arrive at her current calling overnight. In fact, her performance path looked completely different just two years ago when the Nevada native found herself in Hollywood pursuing work in film and television.

"I studied musical theater in college and there's something fascinating - and downright fun - about immersing yourself in a character. To participate in the preparation and rehearsal that goes into a performance is hugely enjoyable and gratifying. Making the move to Hollywood to pursue work in film and television seemed like a great way to make something I was passionate about into a career," says Elias.

After making the networking rounds in Hollywood, Elias was well on her way to becoming an up-and-coming actress thanks to various extra roles on Grey's Anatomy (where she was a regular for two seasons), CSI: New York, Bones, Flash Forward, Community, Parks and Recreation, Weeds and Dexter. She also appeared in several films as an extra, including Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., and Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.

A Christmas trip to her hometown in 2010 caused Elias to reexamine her career options. During the holiday, she performed in her home church's praise and worship band and sang in some local concerts.

"It took a seemingly routine Christmas concert that year for me to realize what I've been called to do. In fact, Christmas of that year was the most clear-cut, obvious message I've ever received from God, period! It was as if He said 'I am spelling it out for you, in bold caps: PAY ATTENTION,'" Elias says.

At the beginning of 2011, Elias began making regular pilgrimages to Nashville to collaborate with Music City's top songwriters and producers. The trips resulted in her national debut CD, A Wild Rose, set to release Summer 2012, which features 10 fresh tunes that chronicle her journey thus far.

As Elias gears up to make her mark on the modern day music scene with her engaging songwriting style and fresh pop/rock sound - influenced by Amy Grant, Natalie Merchant, Carrie Underwood and Sheryl Crow - she's committed to spreading faith-affirming messages that are just as uplifting to believers as they are inspiring to seekers.

"We are all constantly on a spiritual journey and mine is chronicled by music. I've always believed you can hear words, but you can feel music," Elias says. "What is a relationship with God without feeling His presence through your entire being? Sometimes songs can touch you in a way that words cannot."