Eartha
Eartha performing at Benefit Concert 2008
Eartha performing at Benefit Concert 2008
Background information
Birth nameEartha Moore
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresAlternative Rock, Soul, Gospel, R&B
InstrumentsSinging, piano/Keyboards, electric guitar, Bass, Drums, saxophone
Years active2000–present
LabelsAFRT Music
Websitewww.earthaonline.com

Eartha Moore, mononymously known as Eartha, is an American female eclectic and alternative soul singer, songwriter, and musician.[1]

Eartha debuted her first release, This I Know, in 2000. In 2001, she expanded the track Love Jones from the album into the maxi-single Love Jones, which consists of five mixes. Her next project, Sidebars, was nominated for two Grammy Awards and won one.[2][3] She continued to write and contribute with musicians and producers, at times as a ghostwriter. On September 21, 2010, Eartha released her third CD album, Ink Dry Blue.

Early life

Eartha was born in Los Angeles, California.[4] Her biological parents, Philip L. and Zinna Moore, placed Eartha and her older sister in foster care when Zinna became ill. At six months of age, Eartha was immediately placed in the home of foster parents Lucy and Otis Rushing. According to Contemporary Musicians, both Eartha's birth and foster fathers worked for the same company as machinists, unbeknownst to either. When Philip visited his daughters at the Rushing foster home, he recognized Otis. Eartha reflected on her foster home, "No matter how good things are, you still long to be with your [birth] family."[4]

Eartha started singing at age five, and at age six, she began playing the drums and piano. She regularly accompanied her biological mother, who was a guitarist and the church organist, to rehearsals and would join on the drums. During her visits to her grandmother's house, Eartha practiced the piano. When she entered junior high school and became a member of the Greater Bethany Apostolic Church in Los Angeles, she began leading praise and worship and playing the saxophone, trumpet, and percussion instruments. In college, she learned to play the guitar and soon afterwards formed and directed the Voices of Vision church youth choir. Although Eartha's background was primarily gospel music, she began to develop a more eclectic and diverse style.[5] Eartha attended high school in North Hills, CA. After graduation, she attended Los Angeles El Camino College and then Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Eartha's birth mother Zinna died in 1995, followed by her foster mother Lucy in 1998. Many of the tracks from the record Sidebars are written about these experiences.[4][5]

Career

This I Know

This I Know CD Cover

In 2000, Eartha debuted her first album, This I Know, which received positive feedback. Eartha played all instrumental parts for the album, which ranges in genre from gospel to R&B and hip-hop. AMG's Jonathan Widran noted, "If this impressive recording is any indication, Eartha Moore stands poised to become a powerful presence...."[6][7] Billboard Magazine noted, "Interest appears to be building for This I Know, the debut release from this contemporary Christian/gospel artist Eartha…the girl can really sing."[8] With the support of DJs and college radio stations, the Love Jones track became popular.

Love Jones

Love Jones CD Cover

In 2001, the single, Love Jones landed on the Billboard Hot Dance Breakouts Maxi Singles chart at #2 position,[9] the Urban Inspired Radio Waves at #24, Behind the Scenes WJKS at #1, and WNNN at #10. Additional playtime from other radio stations indicated the single's success, as this was uncommon for an independent project with limited distribution outlets.[10][11][12] Critically, the single received positive feedback. Urban Network's Music Editor Scott Galloway commented, "Eartha testifies with a heartfelt flava."[13] "In the arena of innovative, new sound there is always one step further you can go…and Eartha Moore has taken that step and has kept right on moving," said Christian Moore from Dysonna Magazine.[5] This I Know was noted by Ebony among the best in recorded music.[14]

Promotional efforts

To further promote her work, Eartha performed at venues, such as the BRE Conference in Atlanta, GA,[15] Billboard Monitor Airplay in New York City, Unifest in Washington DC, Annual Unity Festival, Family Day in the Park in Columbus, GA, and Urban Network Power Jam in Palm Springs. She also performed at other radio station sponsored concerts/festivals, clubs, school, churches, and private events across the country. [10][16][17][18][19][20][21] Eartha performed for the TV tapings Fountain of Youth and Gospel Superfest 2000,[22][23] both of which aired in over 40 markets in 2000 and 2001 respectively. She performed live for the ABC's Louisville, KY early morning newscast.[22] The label launched a national movie theater advertising campaign to showcase her music in over 15,000 theatre screens and 5,000,000 in-theatre spins of track "Never Change" before and after films. A national postering campaign at college campuses in New York, Atlanta, LA, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, San Francisco, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC was also launched to support the release.

Sidebars CD Cover

In 2002, Eartha released her second album, Sidebars.[24] The single I'm Still Standing, mixed by hip-hop producer Chris Puram, performed well at clubs.[25][26] Critical reviews were mixed. Said Tony Patrick, of Black Men Magazine, "Eartha's inaugural opus will be in for quite a pleasant surprise. Sidebars is solid if not spectacular, as you're treated to an eclectic mix of retro-soul music."[27] The feedback from other, less mainstream, publications was positive.[28][29] AFRT MUSIC reported selling 10,000 copies in the two months after its September 2002 release. Again, Eartha promoted the album through a grassroots marketing campaign, including launching a 100,000 postering campaign at over 50 colleges, 50,000 CD giveaways, T-shirts, caps, and other promotional items. Eartha was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the song I'm Still Standing and Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, the latter of which she won .[30]

Ink Dry Blue

In 2010, Eartha released her third album, Ink Dry Blue.

Charitable work

Eartha has used her music to promote various charitable causes. She has appeared or performed for the Los Angeles Mission for the benefit of homeless mothers and children, Prison Ministries, Faithwalk Benefit Concert, Justice for Murdered Children Benefit Concert, Churches, Stay in School youth events, 102.7 KISS FM School Tours,[31] Celebration of Champion Benefit for Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, and UCLA Charity Tennis Event.[32][33]

Writing

Eartha contributed an advice column "Ask Eartha" to Fresh Magazine, which was geared towards teens and young adults.[34][35][36][37] Eartha has also provided ghostwriting services to several music and literary projects.

TV

2000 Gospel Superfest One Holiday Special
1991 Full House Season 4 Episode 86, The Wedding
1991 Full House Season 4 Episode 87, The Wedding

Discography

  • 2000: This I Know
  • 2001: Love Jones Maxi Single
  • 2002: Sidebars
  • 2009: Oh Holy Night Single
  • 2010: Ink Dry Blue

Videography

  • 2002 I'm Still Standing

Awards and recognition

YearAwardWorkCategoryResult
2003Grammy AwardI'm Still StandingBest Female R&B Vocal PerformanceNominated
2003Grammy AwardSidebarsBest Contemporary Soul Gospel AlbumWon

References

  1. ↑ "Rising Stars," Blacktress, November 2001, p.77
  2. ↑ "Grammy's Roundup," Grammy Magazine, Feb 18, 2003
  3. ↑ Jet Magazine, March 10, 2003, p.56-57 retrieved on October 7, 2008
  4. 1 2 3 eNotes, Contemporary Musicians Archived 2009-03-24 at the Wayback Machine retrieved on October 7, 2008 retrieved on October 7, 2008
  5. 1 2 3 Christian Moore, Dysonna, May/June 2002, p. 32-33.
  6. ↑ All Music retrieved on October 7, 2008
  7. ↑ "Eartha Albums and Discography". AllMusic.
  8. ↑ Billboard Magazine, May 6, 2000
  9. ↑ Billboard, Hot Dance Breakouts, June 30, 2001, p.27
  10. 1 2 Behind the Scenes, October 11, 2000, p. 11
  11. ↑ Urban Network, February 16 and, 2001, p.30
  12. ↑ Urban Inspired Magazine, Issue #1, February 2001, p. 6
  13. ↑ A. Scott Galloway, ed., "Star Time," Urban Network, June 2001
  14. ↑ Ebony, August 2001, p.30 retrieved on October 7, 2008
  15. ↑ BRE Magazine, Issue 18, Volume XXV, June 9, 2000, p.23
  16. ↑ BRE Magazine, Issue 17, Volume XXV, May 26, 2000, p.18
  17. ↑ Audrey Bernard, New York Beacon, June1-June 7, 2000, p.28
  18. ↑ R&B Airplay Monitor, Volume 8 No 40, October 6, 2000, p.21
  19. ↑ Billboard, Radio Monitor, September 30, 2000, p.85
  20. ↑ Los Angeles Sentinel, Entertainment, Sisters of Soul are Honored, September 6, 2001, p. B4
  21. ↑ EUR WEB, February 23, 2001 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2008-10-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) retrieved on October 7, 2008
  22. 1 2 Gospel SuperFest 2000 "GospelSuperFest - United TV". Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-10-08. retrieved on October 7, 2008
  23. ↑ Louisville Defender, May 4 and June 8, 2000
  24. ↑ BRE Magazine, Issue 37, Volume XXVI, September 27, 2002, p.8
  25. ↑ Billboard, R&B/Hip Hop, December 7, 2002, p.43
  26. ↑ 53. Chris Puram retrieved on October 7, 2008
  27. ↑ 45. Tony Patrick, "Record Review," Black Men Magazine, April 2003
  28. ↑ "Eartha Makes A Name for Herself," In The Spotlight, Jet Magazine, February 24, 2003, p. 39. retrieved on October 7, 2008
  29. ↑ Soul Treasures, Soul-Clinic,2002 retrieved on October 7, 2008
  30. ↑ "Power to Win," Playback Magazine, ASCAP, June –July 2003, p.2-3
  31. ↑ BRE Magazine, Issue 17, Volume XXV, May 25, 2001, p.42
  32. ↑ US Weekly Magazine, Issue 340, August 20, 2001, p.21
  33. ↑ "Grammy Award Winner Eartha at 6th Annual Unity Festival," Just for Murdered Children retrieved on October 7, 2008
  34. ↑ Rolling Out, Volume 1 No 44, November 1, 2001, p.18
  35. ↑ Debbie Fee, "Eartha is a Star," FRESH Magazine, September 2001, p.12-14
  36. ↑ BRE Magazine, Issue 33, Volume XXV, September 21, 2001, p.28
  37. ↑ "Ask Eartha Column Debuts," Wave Community Newspaper, November 14, 2001, p. B2
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