For more than 20 years, Norwegian born Dove Award-winning recording artist Solveig Leithaug (Sol-vey Light-houg) Henderson, has won audiences worldwide with her soothing voice, remarkable guitar playing and songwriting talents. As an original member of the Oslo Gospel Choir, (with over one million CDs sold) Solveig has been a staple on the Scandinavian gospel scene and has performed throughout Europe and the USA since her late teens.

Her latest CD "Christmas Peace", 2009, is an English version of a the warmly received "Julefred," released in Norway in 2008, produced by Steve Hindalong (Sixpence None the Richer, Jeremy Camp, The Choir, City on a Hill) and feature a collection of favorite Christmas carols and four Norwegian classics. These projects were recorded in Nashville, TN with the help of the fine talents of Tom Howard (orchestra string arrangements), Ken Lewis (drums and percussion), Chris Donohue (bass, double bass), Phil Madeira (Accordion, National Steel Guitar, Hammond B3 organ), Paul Moak (Electric guitars, El. Mando, Banjo, Lap Steel), Steve Hindalong (Percussion, Chimes), Sam Levine (Flutes, Clarinet, Recorder), Mark Byrd (Ambient Guitars), Derri Daughterty (Engineer) and Dave Schober (Mix).

Solveig toured 18 cities in Norway with "Julefred" and was featured throughout the country on leading secular media including Good Morning Norway, and Norway's National Broadcasting Network (NRK) which honored her as Artist of the Month for all the NRK Radio Religious Programming in December.

"I had the most wonderful time recording this project, and cherished the opportunity to pick some of our finest Christmas carols, and make them mine. Together with Steve, I translated three of Norway's most beloved classics to English: "The Cities are Lit and Festive" (Det lyser i stille grender), "My Heart So Dearly Ponders" (Mitt hjerte alltid vanker), and "Wondrous Invisible Pilgrimage" (Nå vandrer fra hver en verdenskrok). A fourth song: "Hay and Straw" (Høy og strå), was a nearly forgotten carol, that my parents taught me when preparing for the production: "Most Norwegians over 90 years old should remember this one," mom laughingly said. "I find its message of Jesus' humble birth and selfless life very moving," Solveig adds.

Her previous international release;" Worship You," 2006, produced by Tore W. Aas for Authentic Records (former WORD UK)was dubbed as "in vogue, and long awaited." Solveig was awarded the 2008 Angel Award and 2008 Telly Award for her music video featuring the CD's opening cut, "All the Way to Heaven," produced by Dan & Raven Rubottom, Epiphany Creative. Solveig has received various awards that date back as early as 1984, as Norway's "Artist of the Year" at 18 years of age. At 20, she won a Dove Award for the "International Artist of the Year" by the Gospel Music Association.

Since her two first international releases on DaySpring WORD: "In The World", 1986, featuring a duet with Larry Norman, and "First Step", produced by Wayne Watson, 1988, Solveig has continued to record four English solo projects and seven in Norwegian, in addition to three bestselling children's albums.

From being a guest artist at official parliament functions, to doing worship services from prisons to jazz cafés, cathedrals and arenas, Solveig seeks to make music that heals, inspires and uplifts. An ordained minister since 1994, she has also contributed commentary to Thomas Nelsons "Women of Destiny Bible". "I have always viewed my music as a ministry," states Solveig, "and it is my prayer that through my songs the listener will be able to connect with the presence of God."

In addition to her solo performances, Solveig has also participated in a number of national conferences including: "Woman after Gods Own Heart," hosted by gospel artist Lynda Randle and featuring Gloria Gaither as the key note speaker. She was the worship leader for "Just Give Me Jesus" in Oslo, Norway at the Spektrum Arena in May 2007, featuring Billy Graham's daughter Anne Graham Lotz, an event that drew the largest gathering of women to date.

In addition to her two "home lands"; Norway and the USA, her music has taken her to Albania, South Africa, Malaysia, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Holland, Monaco, Finland, Austria, The United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland.

Upon gospel artists Russ Taff and Lynda Randle's recommendation, the legendary Bill Gaither invited Solveig to join a number of his Homecoming Concerts and events including the Alaskan Cruise in the summer of 2007. She also appeared on The Homecoming Video "How Great Thou Art" taped at the historic Grand Ole Opry where she was featured with her own rendition of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms".

Gloria Gaither comments on Solveig's ministry: "Listening to Solveig singing is like the pure vibrations of an innocent soul. She by-passes our cynical scar tissue and stylistic prejudices and goes -- like the laughter of a child --straight to the heart."

Her life has not been without its trials. After 17 years of marriage Solveig found herself a single mother, awarded with full custody of their three children by the courts of Colorado, her home state for nearly 16 years. Determined to continue welcoming and embracing God's grace for every day in spite of devestating losses and heart breaks, Solveig continued to develope new music, accepting offers to write, tour and record.

On May 30th, 2009 Solveig was wed to an old friend and widower Jim Chaffee, founder and president of Chaffee Management Group LLC, who served as the executive producer for her latest "Christmas Peace".

Deeply grateful to the Lord for a fresh start, Jim and Solveig reside with her children in the forests near Nashville, TN, and enjoy the occational company of Jim's two grown sons who reside in Boston, MA.



New Album "Worship You" Available Online! Click Here to Purchase.

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