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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Winter Lights Festival kicks off tonight in Medford Train lovers: head down to Medford Armory today Public meetings, Dec. 1-5, 2014 'One spark of enthusiasm' has ignited town's can-do attitude Emergency services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Wrap Up, Nov. 28 Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Environment Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. 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Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... MUSIC Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' The singer's debut CD is a step toward new fame Ashland vocalist Shae Johnson teamed with Narada Michael Walden at his San Rafael, Calif., recording studio to put together an album of songs that can stand next to hits by Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Grace Slick and others who've collaborated with the award-winning producer, drummer and songwriter. By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 26, 2014 @ 6:00 pm By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 26, 2014 @ 6:00 pm » Social News Ashland vocalist Shae Johnson teamed with Narada Michael Walden at his San Rafael, Calif., recording studio to put together an album of songs that can stand next to hits by Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Grace Slick and others who've collaborated with the award-winning producer, drummer and songwriter.  Tracks "Shooting Star," "Can You Feel the Music," "Addicted" and "Take Me to the City" showcase Johnson's plucky rhythmic cadence and bring to mind the pop music Houston performed on her 1982 soundtrack to "The Bodyguard." That record went on to win a Grammy for best album and was certified a 17-time platinum seller in 1999. Walden produced the song "I'm Every Woman" performed by Houston. The dance numbers on "Can You Feel the Music" — written Johnson and Walden — could hold an audience at any Los Angeles dance club. "That's what we were going for," Johnson says during a telephone interview. "We wanted it to sound like mainstream pop. Narada and I wrote "Shooting Star" together, along with a couple of other songs, with me writing the lyrics. The dance tunes have more of an electronic beat. Narada would send me 10 to 20 DJ mixes each week. I selected the ones I liked and wrote lyrics for them." One song, "Have Faith," stands out from the others with ethereal, traditional Indian melodies in the background sung by Gaayatri Kaundinya. Johnson and Walden wrote and recorded the song in one day. "We'd finished work on the other songs and wanted to do something for ourselves," Johnson says. "The song is about believing in one another, friends and ourselves." Walden and Tarpan Records label engineer Jim Reitzel added drums, piano and bass, respectively, to some of the songs, and there's the requisite number of love songs that give Johnson moments to demonstrate confidence in her own artistic ability.  "I've always known I wanted to be singer," she says. "My mom was a voice teacher, and we always sang together. I belonged to my middle-school and high-school choirs." Born and raised in Ashland, Johnson studied voice at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. "I thought I wanted to be an opera singer," she says. "The training was excellent, but I eventually realized it wasn't for me." Johnson returned to Ashland in 2009 after landing a part as a singer and dancer in Oregon Shakespeare Festival's "The Music Man." She's also performed in at least four productions at Oregon Cabaret Theatre. One Friday night, she heard The Rogue Suspects playing at Alex's in Ashland. The band was sans a female vocal and asked if anyone in the audience could sing an Aretha Franklin song. After Johnson stepped up and sang "Chain of Fools," she was asked to perform regularly with the band. "It's been life-changing," she says. "It's where I found myself. Rock 'n' roll isn't perfect and it shouldn't be. That's one of the wonderful things about it." The next big thing for Johnson, she hopes, is to collaborate with Walden and make another album with a big, commercial label such as Sony and tour nationally. With songs such as "Take Me to the City" and "Lights, she may have the impetus to get there. Johnson and The Rogue Suspects will celebrate the CD's release with a show at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, RoxyAnn Winery, 3285 Hillcrest Road, Medford. The show also will be a fundraiser to help complete a new The Rogue Suspects CD.   By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 26, 2014 @ 6:00 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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