CHERYL CHRISTIANSEN began her music
career as a singer-lyricist in the early 1980’s.
Motown Records had signed a young male vocal group from
Detroit, 21st Creation, to its label. Following
up on a hit single, they went into the studio to record
their second album. Ms. Christiansen’s writing
talent came to the attention of the group’s producer,
resulting in their collaboration on three songs recorded
by the group.
Shortly thereafter, Ms. Christiansen
began collaborating with producer Jack Gold at CBS Records,
who had produced upwards of 80 albums for Johnny Mathis,
and Arnold Goland. Johnny recorded two of their songs,
“No One But The One
You Love” and “The
Best Days Of My Life”, the latter of which
was released as a single in the United Kingdom, covered
by Jazz vocalist Marlena Shaw and recorded in Spanish
by Vikki Carr.
When Gladys Knight left Motown
and signed with CBS Records, she fell into the producing
hands of Jack Gold. Gladys recorded “The
Best Thing We Can Do Is Say Goodbye” and
“Am I Losing You?”,
both Gold-Christiansen-Goland collaborations. Disco
was hot and Gladys fell in love with “You
Bring Out The Best In Me”, written by Ms.
Christiansen and Al de Lory. It was released as her
disco single.
Diana Ross recorded “Sweet
Surrender” for RCA Records, written by
Ms. Christiansen and Lenny Stack, earning the collaborators
gold and platinum albums.
Other of Ms. Christiansen’s
songs were recorded by the male vocal group Dream
Express, Andy Williams, Dancin’ Machine,
to name a few. She has written jingles for commercials,
songs for a children’s video, “The Adventures
Of Nicholas”, and several songs for the theatrical
motion picture, “Mark Twain’s Greatest Adventure
– It’s A Matter Of Time”.
