BiographyRetta Guest ChoateBorn Retta Guest in Farmington, Maine, Retta's first singing performances took place from a child-sized rocking chair in the kitchen of the Guest household. The Guest family included 4 girls and 4 boys (enough for a harmonic choir) and Mom and Dad. The family spent many hours singing and harmonizing around the kitchen table, the piano or while riding in the car. Retta's brothers were influenced by Elvis and learned to play guitar. Soon Retta picked up the guitar ...
BiographyRetta Guest ChoateBorn Retta Guest in Farmington, Maine, Retta's first singing performances took place from a child-sized rocking chair in the kitchen of the Guest household. The Guest family included 4 girls and 4 boys (enough for a harmonic choir) and Mom and Dad. The family spent many hours singing and harmonizing around the kitchen table, the piano or while riding in the car. Retta's brothers were influenced by Elvis and learned to play guitar. Soon Retta picked up the guitar and began to perform. Unlike many of the rural Maine kids she grew up with, Retta did not move away to the city after she finished school, but stayed in Maine due to her great love of the state, as depicted in her original tune, ME, from the Milkglass Flame CD. Retta began performing music professionally while in college, staying mostly with acoustic pop, soft rock and modern folk music. She has played in local clubs, colleges, community events and other area venues. Retta's past recorded efforts have been an EP released on an independent label, a video recorded in Nashville after winning a contest, and a promo video. Milkglass Flame was promoted by Farrish Radio Promotion. The cd plays on radio stations across the country that have an acoustic venue. Milkglass Flame is Retta's first full length album released on her own label. It includes nine of Retta's originals and some covers. The first song, "Evil Villains", a haunting tune about the events of September 11th, 2001, will ring an emotional chord with any American. Also featured is a song about her love for the state of Maine, and a "Beatlesque" version of Rocky Racoon - very popular with audiences and selling internationally on digital websites. Rocky Racoon hit #1 on the Artisit Underground music charts, and #5 on Airspun.com. An emotionally moving and beautifully written work of acoustic pop and folk rock, Milkglass Flame is available from this website at cdbaby.com. It can be digitally downloaded at broadjam.com, ITunes, MusicMatch, MSNMusic and 40 other digital sites. It also sells at Bull Moose Music Centers throughout New England. In 2006 Retta was selected as a top artist on Broadjam. In 2006 Promotion Magazine featured a writeup on Retta and her upcoming CD.She has finished recording her second CD entitled "Daddy's Mill", which is currently being duplicated. The single, "Daddy's Mill", is a tribute to Retta's dad, A.T. Guest, and childhood memories of adventures to his dowel mill. "Daddy's Mill" will be released in January or February 2009. A cd release party will be held at that time-watch for the date! Retta has beeen busy writing songs and collecting ideas for a third CD. Also in the works is a CD collection of original and traditional Christmas music.Retta's amazing backup musicians include Chris Derbyshire, producer, keyboard and synthesizer; Catherine Lynch, violin; John Hurd, electric guitar; and Jeff Small, bass guitar. Each musician contributes his or her special talent to create a unique sound. Retta's cup of musical ideas runneth over. Retta Guest Choate will be playing in Maine this year. Check out this site in the near future for a schedule of dates. And watch for Daddy's Mill to be released soon!
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