Story link: http://theark.org/shows-events/2017/jun/16/valerie-june-sold-out

"I feel like my whole life I've always had a stone I've been pushing," says Valerie June, explaining the title of her debut, "Pushin' Against a Stone." "Some days it's a good thing to have, like a best friend, and sometimes it's your worst enemy." The album showcases her blend of rural roots and country that connects Alan Lomax's acoustic field recordings with biting, electric indie-blues. At one moment seductive in a sensual come-on, fragile and vulnerable the next in a display of naked honesty, Valerie June transports you to another world the moment you hear her voice. That voice was born in her rrual Tennessee church. "Everybody sings in my church; there's never a choir," she explains. "There was every kind of voice you can think of, so I was always trying to sit beside somebody who had a cool voice and listen to them and see what I liked about it." Percolating somewhere between Dolly Parton and Billie Holiday, Valerie June's is a stop-you-dead-in-your-tracks voice, the kind that grips your imagination and paints her Southern songwriting portraits in vivid detail. A sensation of the 2017 Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Valerie June returns to The Ark with a full show that's been earning raves in Europe as well as North America. Detroit-born acoustic soul songwriter Al Bettis is special guest.

Follow link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkK0XhqcbKs

Follow link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMavZbOWyZk

Listening to psalmist Al Bettis, you would never know that he got a late start in this music thing. After giving his life to Christ at 27, Bettis went down a path he’d never thought he’d travel.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE: http://praise1027detroit.hellobeautiful.com/562917/local-artist-love-al-bettis-starting-playing-music-at-the-age-of-30/ 

Read Artist Spotlight here:  http://www.detroitgospel.com/dgcontent/articles/2604/1/Spotlight-Artist-Al-Bettis/Page1.html

Detroit, MI - After recently announcing the launch of Initiative Independent Group, founder and artist, Kim Pratt has more big news: “We are pleased to announce the signing of singer/songwriter and acoustic soul artist, AL BETTIS to our artist roster!” states Pratt. “His music is medicine to the heart and ears and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to manage him and help his vision come to light!”

Originating from Detroit, Al Bettis has opened for notable artists such as Dwele and has been featured on local, national and international platforms including Unity Music Festival, Smile FM, WMXD, WMUZ, TCT and TBN, to name a few. His unique musical stylings can be attributed to God and his musical tastes, citing artists like Ed Sheeran, Leon Timbo, Passenger, City and Colour and Jason Mraz among his list of musical influences. “Signing with IIG has been one of the best decisions of my career. Their step by step guidance is invaluable and gives me the confidence I need to focus on my art...I'm excited for the future!” Bettis states.

Al Bettis is gaining attention from his current iTunes single, "It Is Beautiful," and is currently in the studio recording his new EP, "Everywhere & Nowhere."

For more information on Al Bettis please visit: www.AlBettis.com or contact info@initiativeindie.com