Karen Mason Brings CD Tour to Chicago

Award-winning, celebrated vocalist, Broadway star, and recording artist Karen Mason returns with her first CD release in nine years. Celebrating the release, Karen will bring her CD tour to her hometown, Chicago at Davenport's May 17-20 at Davenport's 1383 North Milwaukee, Chicago. Showtime's are 8pm with a ticket price of $33/two drink minimum. reservations are available by calling 773-278-1830 or online at Davenprtspianobar.com.

Joining Karen will be Paul Rolnick, serving as the evening's special guest.Paul also happens to be Karen's husband and long-time producer. he has also written many of her signature songs, including the MAC Award-winning title track It's About Time, which celebrates same-sex marriage. Paul will perform selections from his debut album Shoot for the Moon. The new recording is inspired by the work of troubadours such as James Taylor and Jimmy Buffett features his gently poignant original songs and two duets with Karen Mason. Chicago favorite Beckie Menzie will serve as Karen's pianist.
It's About Time is Mason's first recording in nine years. In a variety of settings from a lavishly-orchestrated full-band with exciting brass and lush strings to hushed solo piano, she performs timeless standards ("I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Just in Time") and theater classics ("Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Somewhere/The Impossible Dream"). The album also features fresh original songs by the album's producer Paul Rolnick, including the album's lead single, the title track "It's About Time" which honors our national victory for Marriage Equality. Inspired by her recent turn in the Broadway-bound musical Chasing Rainbows, Karen honors the legendary entertainer Judy Garland with selections such as "The Man That Got Away," "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" and the iconic "Over the Rainbow."

The album's title song was written by Paul Rolnick and Shelly Markham for a wedding of Karen's friends after Marriage Equality passed in New York State. "I was thrilled to be asked to sing at their beautiful day and told my husband Paul Rolnick, he should write this custom song for the happy couple. It continues to inspire me because I still feel the power of love and truth! It's about time for us all to stand up for what we believe."
A special highlight of the disc is the debut pop recording of the song "Finding Wonderland" from the Broadway musical Wonderland by Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy, Karen's most recent appearance on the Great White Way. "It's a wonderful song," says Mason, "and it brings back great memories of performing in the show. This number is about finding ourselves and finding our truths, which fits in beautifully with the album's themes."

Her rendition of "Fifty Percent" from the musical Ballroom features the song's composer, Billy Goldenberg, at the piano. "This was created for the newest demo for the stage show," says Karen. "I am over the moon we could include this!"

The collection's final song, the Gershwin classic "Our Love Is Here to Stay," honors Brian Lasser - Karen's friend and first Music Director - who died in 1992. But it's more than a mere homage. "Paul found a recording from 1989 of Brian actually playing the song," she explains. "He lifted the track and told me to sing along. I put it off for a long time, and this year I was finally fearless enough to tackle the project. Karen's recordings and Paul Rolnick's album Shoot For the Moon are available at iTunes, amazon.com and KarenMason.com.