Apr 17, 2006 2:07 PM

Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Sonya Kitchell is out with a Neumann KMS 105 vocal mic for all her live performances after using one at an event last year.

Kitchell initially encountered the KMS 105 after being invited to play at Sennheiser's 60th anniversary party at the company's U.S. headquarters. Kristy Jo Winkler, Sennheiser's artist relations manager, heard Kitchell perform in a local club and was immediately sold on her unique style—a blend of folk, rock and blues—in addition to her songwriting and guitar playing artistry. "I knew she'd give a great performance at the 60th," says Winkler, "but even I was surprised at her audience charisma and natural talent. After all, she's really young and this was a tough crowd to please." After her performance that night, Winkler was so impressed she invited the singer to open the Sennheiser NAMM Dealer Appreciation Party on January 19, 2006, featuring Matthew Sweet and Soulive.

According to Jeff Krasno, her manager and Velour record label head, "Sonya really doesn't have a huge range of knowledge about equipment, but, being a singer, she was very aware of Neumann and the company's prestige as a microphone company. She's been in many, many studios using microphones like the Neumann U87. Once she performed at the 60th party with the KMS 105, she loved the sound and just knew that microphone was for her."

The singer and guitarist, along with her four-piece band, have been performing at select shows to promote her upcoming debut album, Words Came Back to Me, with a full complement of Neumann and Sennheiser microphones. "Sonya's overall sound is so warm and acoustic that being able to capture and portray that as she tours is extremely important," explains Krasno.

In addition to Kitchell's Neumann vocal mic, her band, comprising a drummer, bass player, guitarist and piano player, is using Sennheiser Evolution Series mics. The e 901 and e 902 mics are used on the kick drum, e 905s on the snare top and bottom, e 904s on the rack and floor toms, and an e 935 for the guitarist's backup vocals. The upright bass player uses a pair of nickel-finish Neumann 184 microphones.

For more information on Neumann, visit www.neumannusa.com.

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