Former Queen Alexandra Hospital nurse tops world music charts with album release
A FORMER intensive care unit nurse has found herself at the top of a global album chart after helping to produce an album for charity.
Chrissie Sheppard, 61, is one of the artists behind the new album A New Beginning, which was composed by radio presenters at One World Music, set up in Havant.
The instrumental station is the largest new age radio station in Europe, coming a long way from its humble beginnings in Havant.
Now, the album is number one of the One World Ambient and New Age chart, while also raising money for charity.
Chrissie, who grew up in Paulsgrove and previously worked at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, performed the song Raven Cove on her Native American flute.
She said: ‘My husband and I started up the radio station in 2012, exclusively featuring independent instrumental artists.
‘At the start of the pandemic we sat there and said we had to do something to help.
‘The idea we came up with was that all the presenters could record their own songs for an album, with the proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders.’
So far, the album has raised more than £100 for the organisation.
Doctors Without Borders treats patients on an international level, where the medical profession is in need of the most support.
The organisation has found itself particularly busy since the coronavirus outbreak.
Chrissie started playing the Native American flute in 2012, and in her six minute composition mixes in some synth and water sounds to create an etheral atmosphere.
She said: ‘I’ve never really done anything like this before, so to have a response like this is just incredible.
‘My piece is about how there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and how you have to try and stay positive in life.
‘Although I spent so many years working at QA Hospital, I realised that there is more to healing than just medicine – and with music being the most universal language in the world, it can really touch so many people’s lives.’
To listen to Chrissie's song and the rest of the album, go to oneworldmusicradio.bandcamp.com/album/a-new-beginning.