Singer, songwriter, and musician Aubrey Shamel started writing and performing at the age of nine. “Inspirational music has always been in my heart,” she said. Aubrey’s inspirational music contains profound messages deeply embedded in the lyrics. Aubrey recorded and locally released her first CD Embrace the Crown in 2008. She performed songs from this CD at local church festivals and community fairs. She said, “I never thought that people would hire me to perform.” Aubrey began competing at local conventions where she won many awards and got the attention of local musicians and songwriters who encouraged her to continue training and pursuing her dream as a performing songwriter.

Aubrey “experimented with many genres, finding the most comfort with pop or pop crossover.” Her first single, Break Free, recorded in 2009, showed Aubrey’s talent as a pop writer and prompted the release of her first EP, Chance to See in late 2009. Karen Kane, who produced Chance to See, wondered how someone so young, without life experiences, could write about issues profoundly affecting people years older.

Family friend Chris Phillips of Squirrel Nut Zipper fame was enlisted to help with continued development. “The biggest road block for most emerging artists is the knowledge of what to do next, where to go, how to move forward. I was fortunate enough to have a dear friend in Chris Phillips who could guide me through the process. I do not know what or where I would be without Chris’s guidance, experience and understanding. He is an outstanding musician and businessman,” she said.

Although developing as a true pop writer, Aubrey holds fast to her inspirational side. Meeting inspirational poet Jeff Messick led to an ongoing friendship and participation in his ministry Comfort Ahead. “Jeff approached me with a request to put some of his poetry to music. I opened his book to a poem titled Dance With Me Dear Mamma and was immediately moved, hearing the music in my head. The story surrounding the poem is about the relationship between a mother and her son as the son reminisces at his mother’s death. It’s actually a happy song filled with memories of a wonderful relationship, but I must admit of the thousands that have heard it, they all cry. I plan to release the Dance With Me Dear Mamma single soon,” she said.

Aubrey began as lead singer for the band The Radials in 2010. During the audition process, The Radials mistook my age, believing I was older. Keyboardist Drew Wofford said, “As long as you’re not fifteen you’ve got the job.” Aubrey had to confess but got the job anyway. “I wanted to gain experience playing and performing in a variety of venues while still focusing on writing, musicianship and vocal training,” she said. “I quickly learned how much work goes into a performance and the responsibility to the audience and fellow band members,” she said, and “how much you have to love performing in order to keep the hours. As a 15 year old I am also responsible for school work.”

The New Year 2011 has new adventures and growth for Aubrey. She said, “My focus for 2011 is getting my own band together. I know a couple of super talented musicians who grew up in the pop arena. They really enjoy doing my stuff, and although I appreciate the simplicity of an acoustic set, I get excited hearing my songs performed with full accompaniment.”

Aubrey also plans to release her next CD. “Getting a project like a CD together requires patience and time. I’ve had to overcome pitfalls like every recording artist, but in 2010 I had the opportunity to meet Mark Kano. We played around with some songwriting and I got to know his style. Recently, after a B52’s concert, Mark and I decided to finish what we started. Collaborating with Mark is an education. He is a gifted writer with many years of experience and highly professional. Mark has also taken on the role of producer for this CD. I am confident the end result will be worth waiting for,” she said.

In addition to being in the recording studio, Aubrey is shooting her first music video My Guy scheduled for release in 2011-2012. Aubrey said, “Wow, what can I say but that it’s nice to be on the other side of the fence in an audition, and I’m so appreciative of the performers who are helping me make this video a reality. It’ll be fun to see how it turns out, and it might be obvious why I didn’t pursue acting!”

Having written enough songs to fill three CD’s Aubrey has been performing the local circuit, continuing her training and working in the film and recording studios. “I am ready for the next step,” she said. Everyone that knows Aubrey says the same thing, that she is special and talented beyond her age. It’s amazing that she is so young; her performances present a much older and seasoned person. Aubrey said, “When I see people crying, when I see them singing along during a performance, when I hear they can’t get the words out of their head and they like that, well that’s just too awesome, that makes me smile inside and out.”