Rocketown recording artist Alathea recently announced the band’s partnership with women’s speaker Ronda Paulson to present a series of women’s conferences and retreats across the United States. The four friends from East Tennessee are creating a women’s conference and retreat program that is both affordable and intimate and can be offered to churches in their own venues.

Alathea’s lead singer and chief songwriter Mandee Radford said, “Our goal is to offer a place where the women of a specific community can come together to connect with each other and share in their individual journeys as followers of Jesus. We want to tailor the event to the group, spending as much time listening as we spend speaking, so that we all leave the table full, refueled and refreshed.”

YouthSpecialties President of Events Tic Long commented, “I have seen Atathea in front of college students, youth pastors and senior pastors, and every time they won big. It is way more than their unique musical style and talent which is captivating and appeals to a wide cross-section of ages. It’s the fact that they are fun, articulate, relational, insightful and talk honestly about life and faith. People relate to them because what they say rings true. They talk about the struggles as well as the joys of following Jesus. I could not recommend them more highly.”

Radford, along with bandmates Cristi Johnson and Carrie Buell, are looking forward to their partnership with long-time friend Ronda Paulson. An author and motivational speaker, Paulson currently averages 12-15 speaking engagements per year for women’s groups, church camps, organizations and retreats.

Radford said, “Ronda is like my favorite instrument, the banjo. When I hear the banjo played, I’m either laughing or crying – the crazy little instrument can strike both chords. Ronda has the natural ability to bring out deep laughter in the midst of exposing our greatest losses and sorrows. And the end result feels like new hope as we hold on to God’s unswerving love for us.”

Curtis and Rita Booher, staff members at Crossroads Christian Church in East Tennessee, added, “Whether you are male or female, a teen-ager or a grandparent, Ronda’s listeners are with her from start to finish. With much laughter, she exposes the facades we hide behind and gently reminds us that God loves us as we are. Time spent with her is as comfortable as sitting on the front porch with your best friend.”

For more information or to book a conference/retreat, contact Vicky Decker at Street Level Artist Agency at (574) 269-3413 or vickyd@streetlevelagency.com. For more information on Alathea, visit www.alathea.com.

Grammy Award-winner Michael W. Smith and former Reunion Records A&R chief Don Donahue started Rocketown Records in 1996 with the goal of building a label around a foundation of great songs and a family atmosphere. Since its launch, Rocketown has garnered commercial and critical acclaim with more than 2.5 million units sold, more than two dozen No. 1 songs and more than 60 Dove Award nominations.