Tom Prasado-Rao * Acoustic Stage * July 7th

Tom Prasado-Rao "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Tom Prasado-Rao "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Tom Prasado-Rao "Cornerstone Fest 2001"
         
Born in Ethiopia of Indian parents, and educated in the U.S., England, and India, Tom blends musical influences of folk, classical, and world music with his voice, acoustic guitar, and finely crafted songs. Combining pop melodies with an R&B beat, his songs are both personal and topical, direct and haiku. With four albums to his credit (his debut produced by Mark Heard), Tom Prasada-Rao is starting to receive the recognition he so richly deserves. Tom has been honored by the Washington Area Music Association winning best male vocalist every year since 1993 and songwriter and song of the year for "Sleeping Beauty" in 1997. His song "See Myself In You" was recorded by Randy Travis and was featued on an episode of the CBS drama "Touched by an Angel" Over the last five years Tom has averaged over a hundred dates a year wowing audiences with his gentle stage presence and his explosive musical ability. Tom returned to Cornerstone this year mesmerizing the acoustic stage audience with his compelling presence, catchy songs and his consistent musical ability.

 

Pierce Pettis * Acoustic Stage * July 7th

Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"
             
Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"   Pierce Pettis "Cornerstone Fest 2001"
             

Alabama native, Pierce Pettis pens insightful and evocative lyrics that are alternately beautiful, humorous, and haunting -- all wrapped in Southern mystique. His lyrics are equally matched by powerful and original melodies with an ability to balance his passionate, edgy vocal and guitar style with a gentle intimacy. Pierce Pettis has over 20 years of songwriting and performing behind him, an international following and the respect of colleagues, many of whom regard him as a songwriter's songwriter. Pierce Pettis's many recordings (each featuring a Mark Heard cover) have achieved national and critical acclaim receiving numerous songwriting awards exploring various facets of Southern life but without resorting to the usual cliches and sentimentality. Pettis's live performances are rootsy and intimate (somtimes performing as a duo with his wife), filled with raw emotion and energy. Pierce has been a Cornerstone regular for some time now, coming to our attention after performing with his close friend Mark Heard on his final performance in 1991. Pierce began his set with a Mark Heard song this year proceeding to captivated the acoustic tent crowd with his warm personality his stellar collection of songs.