Vista's Cheryl Bliss among music-award nominees 

North County Times, 10/4/01 

A victory Tuesday in the 2001 San Diego Music Awards' Best Pop Album category may not help secure Cheryl Bliss that elusive record deal but the Vista singer-songwriter said, "I think it's just as good to be nominated as it is to win." 

Really? 

Consider Bliss' competition. Incredible Moses Leroy (aka Ron Fountenberry) has to be the favorite. His album "Electric Pocket Radio" had more local buzz this year than a High Times magazine editorial meeting. Cardiff trio Switchfoot landed a 2001 Grammy nomination with its record "Learning to Breathe." Folk songtress Dani Carroll, the Shambles and the Joey Bowen Band round out the Best Pop Album field. "I would be very astonished if I win," Bliss said. 

That's a correct statement, but not because Bliss' debut CD, "Angels Running After," isn't worthy of some local hardware. It's a refreshing left turn from the kinda-rootsy, Sets 102-friendly folk-pop hybrid that seems to predominate San Diego's pop/coffeehouse scene. Bliss' ethereal, playful vocals and trippy melodies recall such subversive sorts as Kate Bush and Tori Amos, but the classically trained pianist finds her own voice on "Angels Running After." 

"I do strive to be unique," Bliss said. "... I'm happy to be something different." 

On top of writing the music, Bliss also produced and recorded "Angels Running After." "There's such a big learning curve. Producing is a much different animal than writing, performing or singing." 

-- Stephen Rubin