Ester Nicholson: News

Ester was interviewed on WNBB-Channel 13 News by reporter Brian Goddin, where she promoted her upcoming concert at Unity of Panama City, Florida and had an opportunity to talk about her ministery of recovery through music, speaking and workshops.

The News Channel played clips of "Make Me Stronger" from her CD "Child Above The Sun"

Ester Nicholson at Ohlhoff Recovery Program, San Francisco
3/12/2008
Host: Carolyn Gauthier:

Essence Story by Carolyn Gauthier:
Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is a long and difficult road. It can often take multiple attempts at sobriety before all the lifestyle changes are made to assure success. The most effective person to talk or sing about recovery is an ex-user.

Ester Nicholson told her story and sang her heart out for the men and women at Ohlhoff Recovery Center. Her rich, powerful voice immediately engaged the audience, as did her empathy for their situation. “I’ve been where you are,” she assured them.

During her 20 years sober, Ester became a touring musician, singing back-ups with Bette Midler and Rod Stewart. She did a wonderful version of “Forever Young” which got the crowd singing and clapping along. Her original songs tell of her deep faith in the higher power that has brought her through rough times and blessed her with a ministry of music and public speaking.

“My mission, my desire, is to inspire and encourage you to never give up, no matter how dark it seems at times,” Ester writes on her website. Although she now lives in Nashville, Ester comes to the Bay Area often to sing in churches and give concerts and workshops. Bread & Roses is very fortunate that she agreed to share her gift of song and testimony with our audiences. This performance was truly inspirational and healing.


Lisa Starbird
Bread & Roses
Program Assistant
415-945-7120 ext.104
www.breadandroses.org

By STEVE EIGHINGER

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

A one-time backup singer for some of the biggest name's in the music industry will be performing Saturday at Baldwin School auditorium.

Ester Nicholson, whose resume includes recent performances with Rod Stewart, Faith Hill, Beyonce, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Brenda Russell, Al Green and Carole King, is touring the country as the first step in establishing herself as an individual artist.

Concert time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.

The concert is sponsored by Unity Church of Quincy.

"(Nicholson) is releasing her first CD and is reaching new heights of popularity because her music appeals to a more diverse audience of listeners," said Unity Church spokesman Janice Vogel. "Unity Church is proud and excited to bring her to our community."

The daughter of a Baptist minister and raised in a home with strong gospel roots, Nicholson has appeared on such television shows as "Good Morning America," "The Tonight Show," "The Oprah Winfrey Show", "Today," "B.E.T. Jazz," the American Music Awards and numerous other broadcasts in both the United States and Europe.

"Having been a professional singer for the better part of my adult life, with a fair amount of success, I think I know when I hear an original voice," Rod Stewart said in a recent press release about Nicholson. "Ester Nicholson has all the essential qualities of greatness, a unique tone, wonderful phrasing, emotional flexibility and passion.

"In a nutshell, the girl's got soul. I hope she will stay a part of my band as long as possible."

Nicholson's story also has a spiritual side, involving recovery from drug addiction through what she terms on her www.esternicholson.com Web site as years of work, study and prayer. Nicholson also is described as an inspirational speaker.

Motivation
Singer Ester Nicholson will appear in concert, deliver speech at Unity of Pensacola
Kate S. Peabody
kpeabody@pnj.com

Ester Nicholson's appearance in concert at Unity of Pensacola a year ago left a lasting impression.

Members begged for an encore performance.

"I have never seen a concert of that caliber at the Unity Church," said Lee Kafeety, a church member. "We've had some really good shows, but she absolutely blew the top off the place."

Today, Nicholson, a recording artist from Tennessee, brings her gospel renditions back to the church. And on Sunday, she is poised to deliver a motivational speech to the congregation. She will also share her own life story about a difficult journey down a road of drug and alcohol addiction, recovery and finally success as a backup singer to superstars such as Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Beyonce and Rod Stewart.

"She is a dynamic performer, and we're just thrilled to have her here," said the Rev. Jamie Sanders, minister of Unity of Pensacola.

He said when he first heard a CD he received from the singer last year, "I was so moved, I stood up, and I just knew I had to have her come here. She is getting the same kind of response at every church she goes to."

Sanders pointed out that "she has also been on several national shows, including 'Oprah,' 'The Tonight Show' and 'Good Morning America.' "

So, if you've got a few hours to spare and want to be entertained this weekend, Sanders says this free event is one that you don't want to miss.

Through her songs and speeches, Nicholson, 47, who struggled with drugs in her younger years, hopes the message she has will stir others who are also dealing with the same demons she once faced.

"If you really want to heal your life, be willing to walk through the fire to do it," she said from her home in Nashville. "When you are walking in the fire, you feel awful, and the healing is like birthing a baby."

There are no easy answers, she said, but "trust is a grace of God, and it will come better than you can imagine."

Nicholson, who just finished recording her debut CD, "Child Above the Sun," travels to churches, schools, and colleges to conduct workshops. And aside from her concerts, she delivers motivational speeches on other topics such as forgiveness and prosperity.

Her message: if she can recover and have success in her life, others can too. No situation is hopeless or beyond redemption.

"That's the interesting thing about her when she speaks," Sanders said. "Her untold story about her drug addiction is very inspiring."

Nicholson's gospel roots date back to her childhood. The daughter of a Baptist minister, the singer recalled that at the tender age of 4, she would take to the stage at home, using the broom as her microphone to belt out songs.

But, in her 20s, she saw her life veer into a downward spiral.

"I was dead spiritually, but through the 12-step (recovery) process, and through new thought and metaphysics, I have achieved 21 years of sobriety," she said.

None of it came without some difficult choices. As a young mother during this time, Nicholson lost her child to the custody of family members. Because of the lack of money, she barely made it from day-to-day.

"I was just sick, and tired of living that way, it was not me," she said.

"I just wanted to get back to God."

With her life on the mend, she began singing in churches. There she got her first big break, when singer-songwriter Brenda Russell first discovered her.

Later, with Russell's recommendation, Nicholson became a backup singer to other superstars. And the rest is history.

These days, she's out on her own, and is now making her own music and creating a fanbase.

"Her voice is phenomenal, and the quality is just amazing," said Kafeety, owner of the Cactus Flower Cafe in Pensacola. "She has the strength and soulfulness of Mariah Carey or Christina Aguilera."

Kafeety enjoyed Nicholson's concert at Unity a year ago and is looking forward to being thrilled again.

Fellow member June Butera, who's attending Nicholson's concert for the first time this year, is hoping for the same experience.

"Over the past year, people have been talking about her performance as something that was very inspiring to them," Butera said. "I think it will be interesting, I am looking forward to attending both events."

Check out "Ester Speaks" on Unity of Pensacola audio archives

On August 4th, I performed in concert at the Napa Valley CSL. What a beautiful setting, to sing in God's nature.

I am humbled every time by how the message of truth and recovery touches and inspires. I've been invited back for a sold out concert on November 4, 2007.

Thank you Rev. Jan and congregation for your love and for turn'n it OUT!!!

It was a privilege to have an interview on "The Aware Show", KPFK - Los Angeles to discuss my beliefs and experience regarding substance abuse and the spiritual transformation that is needed for true recovery.

Aired on Wednesday, August 1, 2007

The Valder Beebe Show (Internet Talk Radio) Adopts Ester Nicholson’s “Child Above the Sun” CD as the show’s theme music

Songstress Ester Nicholson’s CD “Child Above the Sun,” featuring Make Me Stronger, is the theme music to celebrate women who listen to the Valder Beebe Show broadcasts. Ester Nicholson’s magnificent, if sometimes daunting, journey of self-discovery and growth represent the journey many women take in daily life. Through the Valder Beebe Show reaching over 6.2+ million listeners online (90% women) and the power of Ester Nicholson’s spiritually “soul-full” music, women are inspired and encouraged to never give up.

Listen for Ester Nicholson’s song beginning July on the Valder Beebe Show broadcasts on rhythmflowradio.net and valderbeebeshow.com. Log onto www.valderbeebeshow.com for a list of affiliate broadcasts. You can sample the CD at www.esternicholson.com.

Ester, partnering with radio host/author, Bob lancer spoke at mission/rehabilitation center "My Sister's House" in Atlanta, Georgia where women live with their children, recovering from alcoholism/drug addiction. The title of the talk was "Raising Ourselves, Raising Our Children".

"The women there were phenominal. It reminded me of where I was 21 years ago. As I shared with them about healing ourselves and healing our children, and shared with them in song, "Everything Must Change", 'Never Be The Same" and "Child Above The Sun", I witnessed these women transform. They were truly moved and inspired. They were crying and singing the songs. It was an absolute joy to witness the transformative power of Spirit at work." Ester Nicholson

On August 7th, Ester was interviewed by Gary Goldman, radio host for "A Voice For America's Youth", 88.5FM WHPK, Chicago. In that interview Ester discussed the challenges she faced in her own youth and how she overcame them. She also talked about what she thought would empower the youth of today. "I believe it starts from the womb. If we are fortunate enough to have parents that are conscious and grounded in love, and who experience peace and joy in their lives,they are going to pass that on to their children. When that child goes out into the world knowing they are loved and enough, then no matter what they are faced with, they can access the foundation of love that they were given in the beginning."

Ester was featured in an interview article by the Tennessee Tribune newpaper July 20th - on the front page of the Entertainment section!

Congratulations Ester!!

Really great to come back to my - now - second home again, and see all my wonderful friends and spiritual community.

It was great to have the opportunity to present "Child Above the Sun" which has just been released! It was wonderfully received and everyone seems very excited by it. Kind of blows me away!

The CD, produced by Ben Dowling and mixed by John Potoker features many of Los Angeles' finest musical talent, and highlights original and cover songs that celebrate the transformational journey of life.

"The CD really parallels Ester's own personal life - demonstrating that it's possible to come back from virtually anything. She was a total joy to work with, and an inspiration to be with," producer Dowling said in a telephone interview.