Ariel Publicity

Following in the footsteps of married musical duos like The Captain and Tennille and Ashford and Simpson, Shelley & Cal bring a breath of fresh air to the genre being an interracial couple where both sing and play instruments.

For their third official release, the duo has taken a fresh new way to get their message of love and acceptance to new and existing fans alike. Bucking the full album trend, the recently released Something Goin' On EP co-written by Los Angeles, CA based talent Jim McGorman features four soul stirring songs that best exhibit the couples outside the box musical style.

The first single off of the EP is "Maybe.” The video and song both (which was produced by Brandon Crouch and directed by Matt Floryan) beautifully tell the story of Shelley & Cal's relationship as artists and family.


The semi-autobiographical title track, "Something Goin' On" is a fun reminder of the joy of discovering that a friendship has possibly turned into true love.


Another standout track on "Something Goin' On" is Shelley & Cal's updated version of "Amazing Grace" which the couple discovered in 2005 when Shelley came across a recording of a children's choir singing the standard with a completely new chorus. “The first time I heard it I cried,” says Shelley. “The response was so tremendous when we performed it in bars or in churches; it's received well in both settings.” The song became so popular in their shows that the couple wanted to be the first artists to bring this new version to adult radio.

The pure blend of Christian inspired messages, soul melodies and rock edge that Shelley & Cal possess is best displayed via their live show. "Our shows are very interactive," describes Shelley. "The audience often finds themselves moved to sing along as if they were a planned part of the vocal landscape." The shows feature a section they fondly term the "A Capella Power-Love-Duo," which is reminiscent of beat box meats Bobby McFerrin - Cal (who also plays bass) sings the bass and rhythm parts while Shelley's vocals soar overhead.

The way that Shelley & Cal seamlessly work together whether it be writing music, performing or raising their new baby, Eva can be attributed to a bond that began forming when they met in 1993 when Cal's brother Edwin suggested that Cal audition for a spot in the band Shelley helped start called, Pyramid Breakfast. "It was love at first note - both musically and romantically," says Shelley. Neither was completely sure what was happening or how it would affect the band's dynamic, so they did it right and nurtured their friendship; but it was clearly serious and after a courtship of nearly two years, Shelley & Cal wed. 


Though the couple make faith based music and are Christians, the music that they make is consciously not preachy. During their shows they not only perform music off of their 3 albums but they also play 70's, 80's and 90's classic covers thus incorporating all music lovers despite their beliefs. “We hear and know what people think about Christianity and the Bible. There is a lot of confusion, misunderstanding, and negative opinion so we know that it's very important that if we are going to draw people to the fact that God loves them no matter who they are or what they've done, we've got to do it without making them feel condemned or judged,” says Cal. “It has to come from a foundation of love.”


Shelley & Cal both come from musical families. Shelley began singing with her family quartet at four-years-old touring the Western provinces of Canada with the family performing at churches, festivals and even on local television as the Ratzlaff Family Singers. Meanwhile Cal studied piano and violin in elementary and middle school and in high school picked up "my dad's (who had toured with Peter, Paul & Mary and Cal Tjader) Fender 'P' bass and learned how to play contemporary music by watching classic rock videos on MTV and by listening to the stereo.


The couple does plan to re-release their first two full length albums, 1994's Crack the Shell and 2002's It's So All Right but any new music they release will follow the new innovative format of 44-4 Records. The next four song set from the duo is due to be released later this year giving fans what they call a 'small dose of high quality music'. 


With just one listen to Shelley & Cal's music, listeners will instantly be able to recognize that the couple loves what they do and are having fun while delivering a much needed message of hope and love. “We feel that music literally has the power to heal and change the direction of someone's emotions or their life or their day,” says the James'. “And we'd love to be a part of that.”