Catawba College singer Destiny Stone is putting the finishing touches on her second solo album, “Journey” that is due to release at the end of April. The Mississippi native and college sophomore has proven in her short undergraduate career to be a jewel in the Catawba Music Department’s Artist Development Program.
Stone, who is pursuing an academic major in Popular Music and a minor in Worship Arts, says she hopes that those who listen to her album will find it “soul-stirring” and “encouraging.” “Journey” will be Stone’s second album, following her high-school debut of “All Original.”
Stone says, “I’m really trying to step up my game with this second album release. I was proud of my high school effort, but with each new project, I want to take it to the next level!”
Stone already has three of her songs available on iTunes, GooglePlay and Spotify. They include “Colorblind,” “Have Your Way,” and “Gemini.” At Catawba, this honor student and McCorkle Scholar, is a spotlight performer in the Catawba Music Department’s Artist Development Program, a member of the Gospel Choir and the Urban and Soul band, and she coordinates a once-a-month Sunday morning worship service in the college chapel. She will perform in Lee Street Theatre’s production of “Voices on the Margin: Point Blank,” at 7:30 p.m. March 30 – April 1. In that production, she will perform “Colorblind,” alongside the Triple Threat Dance Company of Salisbury.
A fellow student of Stone’s, Sarah Smith of Asheville, N.C., a Music Business major at Catawba, also a member of Catawba’s Gospel Choir, and a manager in the Catawba Music Department’s Artist Development Program, is assisting Stone with the album release. “She’s almost my manager, taking care of the logistics for me,” Stone notes.
Smith helped draft press materials, connect Stone with Grammy-Award-winning sound engineer, Stephen Smith (Sarah Smith’s dad), and Asheville-based music producer, Andrew Schatzberg. Plus, Stone said, Smith has been “her encourager, supporter and friend throughout this process.”
“Journey” is a compilation of some of Stone’s favorite new songs that were recorded in various locations around Catawba’s campus, as well as in Asheville. A new live version of her most notable hit song, “Colorblind,” will be featured on the album. Take a listen to “Colorblind” or share a listen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCUqINZvMBM.
But releasing an album can be costly, especially for a college student, so Stone is in the process of fundraising to finance the completion of “Journey.” To check out more of Stone’s music, merchandise, or to donate to help finance the completion of “Journey” visit: www.squareup.com/store/destiny-stone.
