Suncal Companies Announces 'The Future' as Winners of its $10,000 Sponsorship and Year-long Support Program, 'Music From Home'

Ritter Ranch, CA (PRWEB) May 23, 2007 -- After a six-month search, SunCal Companies (SunCal) has found the best voices within the Antelope Valley. On April 12, SunCal declared independent rock band The Future the winners of its original-music and emerging-artist support program Music From Home -- Antelope Valley. SunCal announced the winners at a private ceremony with a $10,000 check presentation to The Future and live performances by the band. The standing-room-only audience also treated to an appearance by KLKX-FM (93.5) disc jockey "Uncle Scotty," and live performances by honorable mentions Joan Enguita and Lou Yoelin, who each received a $2,500 scholarship to further their careers. SunCal is developing Ritter Ranch, the 10,625-acre masterplan community in Palmdale.

"We are very excited to assist these talented musicians from the Antelope Valley," said SunCal Companies Senior Vice President of Marketing David Soyka. "Music From Home demonstrates that we develop more than just land; we develop the soul within each community. And for us, it begins with helping local artists reach their potential by giving them the platform to express themselves. There's more to our communities than just homes, schools, golf courses and shops: It's what happens inside these communities that matters most."

The event included music-industry special guest Jonathan McHugh, a consultant for world-renowned Jive Records which features multi-platinum artists Justin Timberlake, Ciara, Chris Brown and many others. McHugh, also a respected motion picture and television music supervisor, attended the Music From Home event to scout fresh talent for upcoming projects.

The Future, a band led by guitarists/singers Chris Nelson and Matt Smyles, plan to use their Music From Home award to help gain wider exposure and success. In addition to the monetary sponsorship, The Future will benefit from the Music From Home Artist Advisory Council -- a team of music industry and marketing professionals who will counsel them over the next year.

"This is amazing," said Nelson. "Music has always been a major part of our lives for as long as we can remember. After all our years of hard work, and experiencing so many challenges in the music industry, what a pleasant surprise it is to see a company like SunCal take such an interest in the arts. It's refreshing. We're honored to have been chosen the winners of Music From Home."

A broad range of gifted performers and songwriters submitted over 100 songs to Music From Home. Because the submissions included such an impressive array of inspiring singer-songwriters, Music From Home - Antelope Valley also chose to recognize the outstanding achievements of Yoelin and Enguita. The Future, Enguita and Yoelin will also receive opportunities to create a music video and perform in conjunction with future Ritter Ranch events.

Listen to music by The Future, Joan Enguita, Lou Yoelin and other Music From Home contestants at www.RitterRanchLife.com.

About The Future
The Future includes two young musicians -- guitarists/singers Chris Nelson and Matt Smyles -- who add a rhythm section to complete the band. Chris and Matt are both originally from the Antelope Valley, and attended Antelope Valley High School and Antelope Valley College together. Most of their songs are written by Chris, who also sings lead. These musicians have honed their material and stagecraft in clubs and schools throughout the Antelope Valley.

This eclectic but focused approach results in the literate, polished independent rock of The Future…accented by Chris' distinctive voice. They list their range of influences starting with the classics such as The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel, but also include contemporaries such as Rufus Wainwright, Elliott Smith and Aimee Mann. Although The Future has had interest from labels, they vow to continue releasing their own material.

About Joan Enguita
Joan Enguita is an accomplished, independent singer/songwriter who accompanies herself on guitar. She describes her music as folk/country/pop or Americana (recalling Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, traces of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez). Joan has been performing her music for many years in the Antelope Valley, including at Antelope Valley College, wedding ceremonies, church services, artist receptions, charity fundraisers, and coffeehouses. She appeared at over 70 shows last year, including in Germany where she was #22 on the country charts. Joan is an optimistic and very personable musician who releases her music on her own label, Red Coyote Records. She has a genuine love for the Antelope Valley, where she lives.

"The song 'Coming Home' is about this place as are many other songs of mine," she says. "Some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world are found right here."

About Lou Yoelin
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Lou Yoelin is a songwriter who performs his own music. His childhood was spent in the Antelope Valley where his father taught music at Antelope Valley College. He received his Masters in music from UCLA, and is actively pursuing his goal of getting his songs placed on television. Lou counts his influences as extremely varied, starting with The Beatles and Beach Boys, and extending to many different genres (including classical), but he tends towards imaginative "indie" pop rock. He received first place in the "pop" category of VH1's 2006 Song of the Year contest.

"The most important thing as a songwriter is to have a good filter: knowing what to throw out and what to keep," he says. "But I definitely found my voice in the Antelope Valley."

About Ritter Ranch
Ritter Ranch is set in Palmdale at the western edge of the Antelope Valley near scenic Leona Valley. Plans for its estimated 18 square miles encompass: approximately 7,000 homes, about 73 acres of commercial development (including a town center), an 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course with clubhouse, public schools, an equestrian center, community facilities including library and fire station, swim center, amphitheater, recreation center, a lake, an expansive park and playground system, and over 80 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian paths linking to trails in the planned 7,000 acres of permanently protected natural open space.

For more information, or to join the Ritter Ranch interest list, visit www.RitterRanchlife.com, or phone 1-800-308-7805.

About SunCal Companies
SunCal Companies has more than 70 years of experience acquiring, entitling and developing property for sale to leading residential and commercial builders. The company specializes in creating distinctive mixed-use and master-planned communities that emphasize quality of life, environmental sensitivity and recreational opportunities, and currently has more than 250,000 residential units in various stages of development throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. For more information, please visit www.SunCal.com.

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