Coming of age to the sounds of Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, and Rickie Lee Jones played no small part in the development of April McLean's artistry. Inspired by these amazing women, McLean taught herself how to play piano. Soon enough, she was fashioning her own songs as a means of creative expression and emotional escape from a less than bearable home environment. To further her musical talent and familial distance, a 19-year-old McLean attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. During her time alongside fellow students such as Paula Cole, McLean won a number of songwriting competitions. Upon her graduation, Nashville looked like a good place to plant some roots and make some inroads. Indeed it was. McLean became a staff writer for Warner/Chappell Music for two years, all the while writing and performing her own work, developing herself as an artist with a stunning voice of her own. Susan Ashton chose one of McLean's tunes for her 1991 debut Wakened by the Wind which was produced by Grammy winner Wayne Kirkpatrick. In 2000, McLean was asked to contribute her song "Inside Out" to The Mercy Project, an album benefiting troubled girls which also featured Amy Grant, Donna Summer, and Martina McBride. The next year saw the independent release of McLean's debut album. An emotional and melodic triumph, Becoming showcases a brilliant artist who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, and Jonatha Brooke. Several cuts from Becoming have been featured on Felicity including the radio-ready "Superhero." ~ Kelly McCartney