THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Orland Park singer heading to Nashville to cut album

This article is being reproduced from the Chicago Trubune.
By Joe Ruzich
Special To The Chicago Tribune

Orland Park singer Susan Manion-who is a local celebrity in the southwest suburb-will be heading to Nashville in September., gearing up to record three new songs for her second album.

In 2006, Manion made her first album with some band members of Hootie and the Blowfish and The Blues Travelers,songs that later made it to the top 20 on the Southern gospel charts and the top 15 on the Christian country charts. This time she will be working and recording with musicians David Hall and Jim Van Cleve, who have been associated with famous artists such as Taylor Swift to Lynyrd Skynyrd, according to Manion.

"It's exciting to be working on more songs," Manion said. "It's great to be down in Nashville and to meet and work with amazing artists." Manion said the entire recording process, including writing the songs with other musicians, will take about a year to complete. She will drive bank and forth from Orland Park to Nashville during this time.

Manion said she has been singing since she was 2 years old and was inspired to be in the arts by her parents and family members. She is also a model, actress and a business owner for a local janitorial company,among other things. She recently appeared on World Idol., a spin-off of American Idol, and was part of a pre-show for the Inspirational Country Music Awards last year.

Manion's voice is unique, and her ability to reach high notes allows her to sing opera, pop, contemporary, country and gospel. She first began singing strictly gospel songs at her church, she said. Manion, who has grown up in the south suburbs, said her favorite place for the music scene is Nashville, but does remember going to shows in the Chicago area.

One moment that inspired her to become a singer was when she watched a performance of the musical "Annie" as a child.
"I memorized all the songs," said Manion. "My mom - a teacher - would make me sing for the other kids. They (the kids) gave me the nickname "Annie." I kept singing from that day on."

This article is being reproduced with the Chicago Trubune.

 

To listen to Manion's music, view her pictures and read her bio, go back to Susan Manion home page.