Laura Doherty's 'In a Heartbeat' Out Today

With Parents' Choice Gold and Silver Awards for her first two children's albums in her hip pocket, independent musician Laura Doherty looks ahead with excitement and pride to the release of her third kids' CD, In a Heartbeat, just in time for Valentine's Day. Featured guest artist is Glenn Kotche of Wilco. (Laura Doherty Music, $15.00, for ages 0 - 6, run time 34 minutes.)

A collection of cozy, upbeat songs to warm the hearts of all ages, In a Heartbeat finds its genesis in the love Laura Doherty feels for both the Westchester County, NY region where she grew up and her "adopted hometown" of Chicago, where she's resided for most of the past two decades. Half the songs on In a Heartbeat were written in New York and half in Chicago, with Laura taking inspiration from the lush, rolling hills of the Hudson Valley as well as Chicago's vibrant, urban energy.

Laura Doherty and her Chicago-based band soar with an elegant, light swing style on several numbers, including "Jazzasaurus," and Laura even gets to dust off her electric six-string for the laid-back, bluesy "Electric Guitar." With swinging verve and tight vocal harmonies, "Drum Kit," featuring Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche, takes kids on a fun excursion through the sounds made by the different parts of a drum kit, and Laura's earthy vocals serve as a melodious tour guide. Other highlights demonstrate Laura's eclectic talents as a singer and instrumentalist. She shows a true affinity for jazz in a cover of Harold Arlen's hit from the 1930s, "Paper Moon," and an equally authentic feel for the driving energy of Bill Haley's iconic "See Ya Later, Alligator."

Known for her warm, engaging style, Laura Doherty has a remarkable ear for a catchy melody, a passion for creating sweet, folk-inspired songs, and a one-of-a-kind ability to connect with children that earned her the moniker "Chicago's pop sweetheart for kids" from AAA Living Magazine. Time Out NY Kids declared Laura's 2009 Parents' Choice Gold and Nappa Gold Award-winning Kids in the City to be one of that year's "Top 10 Kids' Albums." Time Out Chicago gave 4 stars to her 2011 Parents' Choice Silver Award-winning Shining Like a Star and rated Laura as one of Chicago's Top 4 Children's Artists (with Justin Roberts, Ella Jenkins, and Ralph Covert).

In a Heartbeat will be available online at amazon.com, cdbaby.com, iTunes, and at retail outlets in Chicago and Rockford, Illinois.

LAURA DOHERTY IN PERFORMANCE

Highlights - Winter 2013

Feb. 22 Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
CD RELEASE SHOW!

March 1 World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA

Check out Laura Doherty's website at http://lauradohertymusic.com.