Forsyth's Got Talent
By: Cathy Leeman
Cheryl Campbell's "Darling the Curly Tailed Reindoe"
Amberle Cianne
Riley Biederer
Andrew Black
Donna Bowman's "Tragedy on Luckie Street"
Jay Macias
Holly Nichols Tabor's "Snapshots of Life"
If you listen closely you can still hear local super star Zac Brown's contagious cackle echo throughout the halls of South Forsyth High. Or RJ Helton, from American Idol's Season One, belting out tunes in the same halls. Then there's the local heart throb and co-owner of Giorgio's Restaurant, Constantine Tzortzis, from The Bachelorette. You don't have to search the hills of Hollywood to catch a glimpse of the stars because they're all around our very own sweet little city.
Within the walls of our Forsyth County schools young talent is blossoming. From Big Creek to Coal Mountain the future stars of Forsyth are being molded while the stars of today are just down the street rocking, writing and performing for our entertainment. We have authors, musicians, actors, producers, models and artists of all types living amongst us in Cumming. The creativity is flowing down 141, up 400 and onto 369.
As Atlanta continues to grow as a mega hot spot for entertainment in the film, music and arts industry, the talent has overflowed (just like GA 400 traffic) into Forsyth. It's about time for you to become familiar with a few of the many fabulous and talented neighbors in our town.
The ink well is full in Forsyth. Authors are sprinkled all about the county such as children's writer Cheryl Campbell. Campbell wrote Darling the Curly Tailed Reindoe, Darling Saves Christmas, and Billy Mouse's Christmas Stocking. Three adorable Christmas tales your children will love to read by the Christmas tree this holiday season. You can learn more about Campbell and her friends at www.reindoe.com.
Local scribe Donna Bowman has been hard at work with several titles to her name. Her four nonfiction books for children include Big Cats, Animal Discovery, Did Dinosaurs Eat People? and What is the Moon Made of? These educational and fun books help young readers explore amazing worlds beyond the reach of a car or plane. Bowman's latest book takes a much more serious turn as she pays tribute to the tragedy on Luckie Street. Tragedy on Luckie Street is a book Bowman wrote to honor the four Atlanta firemen who lost their lives gallantly fighting this horrific fire. Her husband, Danny D. Bowman, current Fire Chief of Forsyth County was there that night fighting along with these heroes. To learn more about Bowman, the history of the fire on Luckie Street and to purchase a copy of the book, visit www.tragedyonluckiestreet.com or www.donnahbowman.com.
Amberle Cianne is a very special talent indeed. This 17 year-old, Central Forsyth High School student is already a published author! Nightmare in Niceville began forming as a class project when Cianne was only 14 years-old. The suspense/thriller is about a young girl (Lily Strykes), her mother and younger sister who all live in Florida. One day their new pleasant lives are interrupted by a secret and dark past. Visit www.amberlecianne.com for info on signings and purchasing her book.
The beat is banging around town with Riley Biederer. This 16 year-old singer/songwriter was recently signed to Rocket Management (Rocket Music Entertainment Group is a music company co-founded by Elton John.) Biederer wrote her first song at the ripe old age of nine years-old! She later picked up the guitar when she was thirteen. You can see Riley Biederer play all around town. She is a very talented young girl and local shining gem. Visit www.rileysmusic.com for more information and to find out where she's playing.
Andrew Black hit the blues scene in Atlanta in 1999. Black released his first single on the local non-profit station, WRFG. This Luther Allison song, Cherry Red Wine, played and remained at #1 for 16 weeks. Twelve years later Black went out on the road for his 2nd tour of the UK in 2011. His newly released solo CD, Secret Weapon, includes another great musician, Howard Leese of Heart, Paul Rodgers and Bad Company. To learn more about this local treasure visit www.andrewblackmusic.com. If you ever have the opportunity to hear Black play live around town, it will truly be a wonderful night of amazing soul from a guy who bleeds the blues.
Artist Jay Macias is an actor/singer/model and resides right here in Cumming. His family owns Cumming's Fajita Grill, where he helps his mom Midelvia Macias run this family restaurant. For 10 years this local celebrity has been acting, modeling and involved in music. He has modeled with the top modeling agency in the world, Elite. He has worked with talented people such as Lil Jon, Flav, Dj Taz, DJ Ill Will and the list goes on. Macias has been on several hit shows on MTV like Date My Mom and Wanna Come In. Currently, he has started a record label called T.E.C. Records which is promoting music and working with new artists. Be on the lookout for this rising star straight outta Cumming, GA. Check out more information on Macias' by visiting his official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/j.maciasmusic or www.jmacias.net.
Some of our local authors are much more than writers, this next local talent is also a hero. Holly Nichols Tabor is the mother of four boys, married to a pilot and a patient of the Forsyth branch of The Atlanta Cancer Care Clinics. She is also a triple negative breast cancer survivor. While fighting for her life, Tabor kept an online journal, or blog, for family and friends. In April 2012, her blog was published in paperback book format through Amazon.com; as well as, ebook format for both Kindle and NookBooks through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Proceeds of the sales for this book will be donated to The Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation in order to help them help others. Visit this amazing survivor's website at www.snapshotsoflifebook.com.
Support our local talent by getting out in the city!! Listen to Andrew Black play his sultry soul live or Riley Biederer crooning her little heart out around town. Go to local book signings and buy a book. Yes, a real book with pages and ink (your future grandchildren will marvel at its complexity). Local artists need our support. Even more, future local artists need our support. Plan on attending a local school play next school year to support these ambitious young stars. You'll be amazed at the level of talent we have growing in Forsyth. So....who's next?
