Ellen M. Wilson

For longtime performer Ellen M. Wilson, this foray into Adult Contemporary music isn’t so much a new venture as a return to her roots.  The singer and songwriter penned songs as a teenaged member of several rock bands before heading off to study classical music in college.  After receiving her Bachelor of Music, Ellen hit the stage, performing Musical Theatre up and down the East Coast.  After a few years in Germany performing, directing, and helping to run a theatre, she returned to school for a Master of Music degree bent on sharing her ideas with voice students of her own.

But a more recent series of seemingly unconnected events led her back to the music of her heart and soul.

After the release of a solo album of songs penned by pals Robbi Sherwin, Larry Lesser, and Scott Leader (who also produced the album), and a signing to the Mid West Flawless Entertainment record label, Ellen’s return course seemed set when, in 2010, she met producer and singer/songwriter, T.L. Brown.  Discovering a musical connection that seemed to be heaven-sent (having been known to call Ellen with the news that he had received an idea for her in a dream), the team began collaborating on song writing.

Ellen and T.L. may not seem the likeliest of pairs: the classically-trained college professor and the self-taught songwriter & producer, but the Wilson/Brown songwriting partnership has created a sound that bridges generational and cultural chasms with the ease of old friends.

The new album showcases the Wilson/Brown songwriting synergy that bridges musical styles, an ideal venue for Ellen’s vocal versatility.  Ellen’s penchant for the lyrical is demonstrated in ballads such as Alone, but her willingness to rock out is shown in songs such as Rise and the rock anthem Shelter Me, the one song co-written with guitarist Armin Harrison.

When asked why people of all backgrounds were connecting to her songs, Ellen replied, “Everyone likes a song they can identify with.  And T.L. and I decided to write songs for this album that talk about deeper truths and ideas that go beyond the surface identities we all have.”

With their first joint album, Ellen and T. L. have assembled a song story, one that takes a journey of the soul, from separation through remembrance to wholeness. 

Ellen's versatile band for live performances includes: Dave Hamilton, bass/cello/vocals, Armin Harrison, classical, acoustic, and electric guitar/vocals, T.L. Brown, keyboards/vocals, and Justin Conrow, drums.

Armin Harrison, classical guitar, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar

Having made a career out of bringing the music of distant times and places to diverse audiences, Armin Harrison plays music ranging from Renaissance music for the lute to World music for Spanish classical guitar to Rock music for electric guitar.  Highly active in the El Paso community as a performer, Armin performs both as soloist and ensemble member, including appearances for Shakespeare-on-the-Rocks, Zapateados, the World on a String guitar concert series, and the El Paso Opera. He has also performed with the El Paso Symphony, the UTEP Symphony, and the El Paso Civic Orchestra as the featured soloist in various guitar concertos.  District-Wide Discipline Coordinator of the El Paso Community College Music Program, Armin still finds time for such musical projects as recording with Seventh Rize and Ellen M. Wilson.

David Hamilton, electric bass, cello, and vocals

A well-known fixture in El Paso, Texas, with one of the biggest orchestras (180 students) in the city at Slider Middle School, this non-stop, classically-trained musician is one of a select group of El Paso musicians who are called on when major-name artists come to town.  Superstars such as The Drifters, Coasters, Platters and Marvelets, American Idol Star David Archuleta, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Pointer Sisters, Tower of Power, Donna Summer, The Village People, Sister Sledge, Chicago, even classical cellist Zuill Bailey rely on David’s bass and cello playing for major musical events.   The backbone of the solid funk/groove rhythm section of popular El Paso band, Fungi Mungle, David has also recorded with several signed bands, including Seventh Rize and Ellen M. Wilson.

Tawaan Lionel (T.L.) Brown, keyboards, percussion, vocals

Having spent much of his childhood and adolescent years singing in his church’s choir and playing drums for gospel groups, T.L. was also a member of his school’s marching band, teaching himself to play the piano in the process.  After the release of his demo, Tell Me, he started writing songs for his debut album 2U. While working towards 2U’s 2009 release, T.L. dominated Fredericksburg’s music scene by winning numerous contests, including the Fredericksburg Icon and Washington DC Icon.  He’s written and produced theme songs for independent films and also served as the 2009 Grand Marshall of a local Christmas parade.  Since then, T.L. has traveled all over the region performing his music, producing and writing songs for artists, and building a legacy of musical excellence.   He is currently co-writing and producing Ellen M. Wilson’s newest album.

Justin Conrow, drums 

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