Chris Sprague
Originally from Wichita Falls in western Texas, Chris Sprague has been a working musician for many years, as one half of the always popular Sprague Brothers, as drummer for Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics, and with his own band, the 18 Wheelers.
Along with brother, Frank Lee Sprague, Chris has appeared on CBS nationwide television and National Public Radio, and has performed live around the world, including several successful tours of Japan.
Multi-instrumentalist Chris Sprague is revered and coveted for his uncanny ability to step in and work effectively on the spur of the moment with a variety of roots music artists, from the rockabilly of the Collins Kids and Joe Clay, to the rhythm & blues of the Cadillacs and Clarence “Frogman” Henry, to classic Bakersfield-style Country.
In December 2004, Swedish country-singer Cina (pronounce as Keena) Samuelson, released her debut CD " From Country To Country". An album that got a lot of attention. Alan Perkins, wrote these lines in countrymusic-magazine, ‘Up Country – UK’, in April 2005: "This singer has produced a quality album from all viewpoints and has shown top quality writing skills with a range of songs that would do Music City proud".
September 2007 will see the release of her sophomore album “Laugh, Love & Live”. Just like the previous one, the new album will mainly feature Cina’s own songwriting, and her own mix of honky tonk, country-rock, soft ballads, as well as some bluegrass inspired work.
Citizen K
Citizen K. was born on August 4, 1966. The bastard son of a beautiful go-go-dancer anda famous rock'n'roll star. The story goes, that during a few weeks in December 1965, K's mother happened to meet John Lennon, Brian Jones, Ray Davies, Graham Nash, Dennis Wilson and Gene Clark on separate occasions, and she had brief affairs with all of them
9 months later, K. was born.
During his childhood, K. never knew who his father was. His mother always told him that his father died in a boating accident before he was born, and he never seemed to question this fact.
Two years ago, on his mother's bed of death, the truth was finally known, and K. finally understood it all - Where he came from, who he was and what he was destined to do in this life.
Work began on what was to become "Citizen K." - The forthcoming debut album, and tribute to all of his six possible fathers. The album itself is chockfull of instant pop-classics, choruses that washes over you like a tidal wave, and with hooks as sharp as the evil man in Peter Pan.
“Citizen K.” is like nothing you’ve ever heard before, and at the same time it’s like everything you’ve ever heard - Ever.....
City Fritter
Combining the best elements of country, folk and classic rock, Topanga Canyon’s CITY FRITTER presents “FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT”, their debut full length CD release.
What ARE the best elements of country?
The simple honesty and grit of Loretta Lynn and Buck Owens
Folk?
The storytelling of Bob Dylan and the harmonies of CSNY.
Classic Rock?
The ringing guitars and energy of The Beatles, Byrds and Stones.
What IS CITY FRITTER?
A fried-up tasty mix of all those influences flavored by the experience and creativity of songwriting duo Jewels and Johnny Nation. Incorporating and reflecting all of the varied environments and circumstances that have shaped the band and their sound.Rooted firmly in the present, listening to what’s come before,with eyes to the future - this is timeless music.
“FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT” is like a road movie:
The story of Jewels and Johnny Nation as they came together in music and in life.
The 10 tracks were written in Topanga Canyon and Joshua Tree, California, Baja, Mexico, on Kauai, Hawaii and on the journeys between them. Each song is a little side trip down a different path – internal or external.
One of the songs, the ridiculously catchy “Don’t You Know”, can be heard in the 20th Century Fox film “FLICKA” starring Tim McGraw. Listen carefully during the rodeo scene!
Recorded with producer Eric Corne at Dusty Wakeman’s Mad Dog Studios, headquarters of LA’s rockin’ Americana sound, “FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT” features Johnny’s warm acoustic and twangy electric guitar work perfectly complemented by Chris Lawrence’s shimmering pedal steel, 12 string and b-bender. Jewels’ expressive harmonica accents add a rootsy quality to “See You” and “I Know What To Bring” the latter a pied piper sing along that adds mandolin and banjo on the way. Holding everything together, master drummer Fabian Jolivet kicks out a wide variety of drum styles from dirty Bakersfield shuffles to jazz inflected fills. Eric Corne lends his considerable skill on the bass as well as his incredible ear and knowledge of the vintage Neve 880 board. Jewels and Johnny’s organic harmonies float over the carefully layered instrumentation.
The result?
A beautifully crafted album, each song realized to it’s fullest potential collectively adding up to a whole more than the sum of it’s parts. A complete work - clocking in just under 40 minutes, listeners will want to let it spin and take the trip “FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT” again and again.
“Massively talented” – Jimmie Dale Gilmore
“Wild and fun” – The Sun Runner Magazine
“A feel good cross between alt-country and sonic country rock” – Skratch Magazine
“If Lucinda Williams grew up on Yo La Tengo ballads instead of Hank Williams blues, she’d sound something like Clare Burson.”—The Riverfront Times
Armed with a voice that The Nashville Rage praises as “a breeze whispering through soft curtains . . . rumpled, a little seductive, and highly musical,” Tennessee native Clare Burson will release her second full-length album on August 21. The new album, Thieves, follows her critically acclaimed 2003 release The In-Between and her two previous Eps, Undone and Idaho.
Inspired by her relocation from Nashville to Brooklyn, Thieves reflects Burson’s newfound perspective on music, centered on the desire to write and perform solely for the joy of writing and performing. Recorded in a friend’s Brooklyn brownstone with the windows open, the album contains an organic and effortlessness sensibility. In addition to the collaboration with Nashville based producer Fognode (Sarah Siskind, Cortney Tidwell), the album also features instrumental contribution from Joe McMahan, James Digirolamo and Travis Vance.
From 2001-2005, Burson was actively involved in a tight knit group of Nashville producers, players and writers whose credits include Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, John Prine, Matthew Ryan, Josh Rouse, and Alison Krauss. During this time, Grammy® nominated Irish singer Maura O’Connell rerecorded Clare’s song “Hold On” for her 2004 Sugar Hill release, Don’t I Know. Furthermore, Burson’s music has been featured on the ABC drama, “Six Degrees” as well as the WB’s “Dawson’s Creek.”
Burson will begin a nationwide tour in Georgia on July 10.
www.clareburson.com
www.myspace.com/clareburson
Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey is from Donaghmede on Dublin's Northside. His earliest musical influences were the post-pub singsongs that his parents used to have at their home when he was a toddler. Good, bad or indifferent, everyone had to sing. Today his unique sound reflects the influence of traditional Sean-Nós as well as his musical heroes: Bob Marley and Elvis Presley.
After completing his secondary education Damien went on to the Ballyfermot "Rock School" for 2 years where he studied musical performance as well as the practical side of the music industry. The school had its own small record label and star students were awarded a release on the label. Damien was chosen for that honour and the EP, "The Contender", was released in 1995.
In 1997 "Dublin Town", Damien's first commercial single, reached No. 18 in the Irish charts. Ireland's HOT PRESS remarked that it was "..an underground anthem for disaffected youth and closet balladeer alike". A re-recorded version of the song appeared on Damien's first album; "They Don't Teach This Shit In School" released in 2000.
His next release, the "Negative Vibes EP", (2002) featured Sinéad O'Connor on the title track and led to an invitation to support Sinéad on her 2002/2003 Irish, UK and European tour.
Damien's second album, "Seize the Day", was released May 2003 in Ireland on Clear Records via Sony and entered the charts first week of release at No. 5. It has since achieved double-platinum sales. Released in May 2004 in the UK on IRL, the album was awarded "CD of the Week" in the Sunday Times and received enthusiastic reviews in the National and music press.
Nominated in 4 categories in the 2004 Irish Meteor Awards, Damien walked away with two, the only 2004 double winner. A documentary, "It's All Good: The Damien Dempsey Story" by independent filmmaker Dara McCluskey, that followed Damien's career progression up to the release of "Seize the Day", was broadcast on Ireland's national TV station RTE and shown at film festivals in Ireland and New York.
During 2004 Damien toured extensively headlining his own shows as well as supporting Bob Dylan during the Irish leg of his European tour and making his debut appearances at The Fleadh and Womad.
Damien has earned the passionate support of his peers, one of whom is Morrissey who invited Damien to support him on various UK and Irish dates as well as his autumn 2004 US tour. Morrissey went on to sign Damien to his Attack label, and "Seize the Day" had its U.S. release in October 2004.
His third album, "Shots", simultaneously released in Ireland and the UK in March 2005, entered the Irish album charts at Number 1 and achieved platinum status in December 2005. The album was also released in the U.S. on United for Opportunity Records in June 2006 and Damien undertook a coast to coast tour.
In February 2006 Damien increased his Meteor Awards by winning in The Best Irish Male category.
Recorded in December 2005 at Dublin's Olympia Theatre and released in June 2006 in both Ireland and the UK, Damien's first live album, "Live at The Olympia", entered the Irish album chart at Number 10.
For the second year in a row Damien won Best Irish Male at the 2007 Meteor Awards.
His new album, "To Hell or Barbados", released world-wide in June 2007, entered the Irish album chart at Number 2.
Dan Sandman
“I began playing the trumpet in the school orchestra. At twelve I gave up on brass because my older brother said, ‘you’ll get lots of girls if you play the guitar’. After giving up on the guitar two times I finally had a breakthrough when I learnt how to play the melody to ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ – third time lucky I’d say!
When I was at university studying English, I used help run The Alternative Rock Society where I met Chris Monger. We would put on a regular acoustic night that was the perfect opportunity for me to gather some live experience. I was studying English Poetry in some considerable depth and it feeding my own lyrics as I was searching for a voice. At the age of twenty-one I fell in love for the first time with a girl who left me, an experience that would become my muse for years to come.
It wasn’t until August 2006 that I truly discovered what Folk Music is. I had traveled up to The Green Man Festival somewhere in the Welsh Countryside by myself. It was here that I encountered Bert Jansch, a guitarist who I’d been told was ‘as good as Jimi Hendrix’. It was here that I started wandering around the campsite to listen to people singing old songs around the campfire. I went for a ramble singing a melody to the wind, when I got home I got into DADGAD and started enjoying myself expressively.
Following more and more investigation, I began to draw many parallels between English Heavy Metal and English Folk Music. For example, both genres are often based around technically accomplished guitar playing and both styles often draw on ancient or mythical stories. However, I started to think that both are often a little pretentious so I wanted to keep the honesty behind what I was writing lyrically. The guitar playing could be full of the fun and energy of highbred folk-rock but the lyrics had to ring true.
So I started to hone the songs back in Camden at a Folk and Blues venue called The Green Note whilst teaching the guitar to make a living. It was then that I learnt from lots of other friendly and talented people as well learning more about the instrument as I was teaching. My confidence grew as a singer singing in his own voice about things that had affected me. Throughout the years I had been recording but it I had never been satisfied by what I had produced. It wasn’t until Chris Monger asked me to travel to his bedroom studio that things started to really happen.
It was late October and autumn was all around. Chris had set up some mics, I had brought my Taylor 514CE and a portable recording device with some sounds on it. Suddenly we were listening to Ryan Adams ‘Heartbreaker’ very loudly, drinking beer, adding e-bow and playing with keyboard textures. Having another persons sudden creative input made such a huge difference, finally it was sounding like it was always meant sound. Whilst Chris was mastering, I was busy making sure that the album would also look like it was always meant to look.
Since releasing the album in January 2008 we’ve been enjoying playing the songs live as a duo in London and Oxford. The album has also received praise from those who have been kind enough to listen to it. It’s been great fun so far and we can’t wait to see where it will all go.”
Daniel Lanois
One of the most distinctive and celebrated producers of his time, Daniel Lanois was also a gifted composer and solo artist; whether performing his own material or helming records for the likes of U2, Bob Dylan and Peter Gabriel, the hallmarks of his singular aesthetic remained the same — noted for his unparalleled atmospheric sensibilities, Lanois pursued emotional honesty over technical perfection, relying on vintage equipment and unorthodox studio methods to achieve a signature sound both viscerally powerful and intricately beautiful. He was born September 19, 1951 in Hull, Quebec; his French-Canadian family was firmly rooted in music, with his mother a singer and both his father and grandfather noted for their prowess on the violin. Following his parents' 1963 separation, Lanois and his mother moved to the English-speaking suburbs of Hamilton, Ontario; there he learned to play guitar, and with his brother Robert began making primitive home recordings on a cheap cassette player. In 1970, the siblings purchased a four-track machine, setting up a recording studio in the laundry room of their home and offering their services to local bands for a $60 fee.
Regularly aiding their clients not only as producers but also as songwriters and arrangers, the Lanois broth
ers' reputation quickly spread, and as the decade drew to a close, they were able to graduate to larger recording facilities, which they dubbed Grant Avenue Studios. There — after sessions for performers as diverse as Ian Tyson and children's artist Raffi — Daniel first worked with Brian Eno, who in the decade to follow would emerge as Lanois' chief mentor and frequent collaborator. Together, they spent several weeks working on instrumental ambient material, experimenting heavily with sonic manipulation techniques; when Eno eventually returned to the U.K., Lanois remained in Ontario, recording a series of LPs for the local band Martha and the Muffins and, in 1983, producing improvisational guitarist Jon Hassell's album Aka Darbari Java (Magic Realism). In 1984, after working with Eno on Hybrid (a collaboration with guitarist Michael Brook) and The Pearl (another collaborative effort, this time with Harold Budd), Lanois responded to Eno's call to co-produce U2's The Unforgettable Fire; the album was a major hit, and it so impressed another superstar, Peter Gabriel, that he invited Lanois to co-produce the soundtrack to the motion picture Birdy.
Lanois next scored with 1986's So, Gabriel's brilliant commercial breakthrough. However, it was his and Eno's second collaboration with U2, 1987's The Joshua Tree, which launched him to true fame: after the album won a Grammy — and after he subsequently co-produced Robbie Robertson's long-awaited solo debut — Lanois emerged as one of the best-known and most respected producers in contemporary pop music. In 1989, he masterminded Bob Dylan's Oh Mercy — widely regarded as Dylan's best work in over a decade — as well as the Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon, an artistic watershed for the venerable New Orleans group. By this time. Lanois himself was a resident of the Crescent City, setting up Kingsway Studio in a mansion in the heart of New Orleans; there he crafted his own hotly anticipated solo debut, 1989's Acadie. Two years later, he reunited with U2 for the stellar Achtung Baby, and in 1992 re-teamed with Gabriel for the wonderful Us. In 1993, Lanois issued the lovely For the Beauty of Wynona; however, like Acadie, it failed to reap the same commercial awards as his other production ventures. Other albums of note include Emmylou Harris' 1995 masterpiece Wrecking Ball, Luscious Jackson's Fever In, Fever Out, Willie Nelson's Teatro and Dylan's 1997 comeback Time Out of Mind; in between, Lanois also recorded the score to the 1996 film Sling Blade. Lanois sxcored ahain with U2's All That You Can't leave Behind at the end of 2000 along qwith working with Joe Henry and others in a support capacity. 2003 sees the year of his third and finest recording Shine that features guest perfomances from Emmylou Harris and Bono. In 2005 he released the outtake filled, "renegade CD" Rockets through his website, which was followed quickly by Belladonna, a proper album release on Anti.
“Acadie” and “Rockets” are available here :
www.dotshop.se
Darryl Purpose
Darryl Purpose has led a diverse and interesting life. Lured as a teenager to the world of casino gambling, Purpose went from betting dollars on the graveyard shifts in downtown Las Vegas, to being one of the best blackjack players in the world by his mid twenties. In his late twenties, Purpose left Blackjack to walk across the country (L.A. to DC) with the ‘Great Peace March.’ Writing and playing music as a member of the ‘house band’ of the GPM—his first performing experience— was a watershed event for Purpose, leaving him with a permanent thirst for the connection possible through music. This led to another march in the (then) Soviet Union and the first-ever, outdoor stadium rock concert there, featuring Bonnie Raitt, Santana, James Taylor, and Darryl's band, Collective Vision.
Purpose moved into music fulltime in 1996. A thousand shows, and 20,000 CD’s later, Purpose has “finally realized his calling as a dramatist for the dispossessed, a chronicler of those Americans who, by choice or by chance, live on the heart's back streets, rising up through the crooked lines like leaves of grass" writes Michael Tisserand in the liner notes from his album A Crooked Line.
From unrequited love in a bicycle repair shop in Mr. Schwinn to spurned to ramblings of a disaffected Angelino in “A Crooked Line,” we recognize that the often dark characters presented in those story songs live all around us. With his distinctive baritone voice, a smoothly proficient finger-style guitar technique which has earned him an endorsement with Taylor Guitars and a sense of drama and storytelling in his lyrics and music, Purpose delivers a charismatic performance that captures coffeehouse and theater audiences alike, including a huge supply of interesting stories from his activities as a peace activist, professional gambler and modern troubadour.
“Purpose has the voice of James Taylor, the brains of Bob Dylan, and the soul of Willie Nelson”
- Attache, the USAir in-flight magazine, 2003 -
Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days
There's a jukebox in heaven where the honky tonk heroes gather each afternoon to drink a little poison and swap stories of Bakersfield and Nashville. Charlie Rich laughs it up with Gene Clark while Buck Owens shows off his latest Nudie suit. In the background, Dave Gleason's Wasted Days sings about soul and suds, a jubilant celebration of California country rock that makes the bygone ramblers smile.
Back here on Earth, Gleason's twangtastic reveries rub shoulders with Tom Petty and Dwight Yoakam. The wonderfully tousled Gleason carries the torch for what Gram Parsons called Cosmic American Music, where country mingles with rhythm & blues and good ol' rock 'n' roll. Tunes like "Midnight,California" and "Sad Violins" have a gut level sway that's perfect for truckers, young lovers and anyone else who likes a good time or an honest cry. Gleason's songwriting gifts come to the fore on his latest release, Just Fall To Pieces, an endlessly winning song cycle destined to burn off boot leather in barrooms from Tehachapi to Timbuktu.
Formed in 2000, the Wasted Days move with the confidence and abiding skill of Music Row's best. In their hands, Gleason's heartfelt road songs and beating heart laments swing hard. The current line-up includes Mike Therieau (bass, vocals, songwriting), Pat Johnson (guitars, vocals), John Kent (drums) and Gleason on lead vocals and guitar. A blessed mix of loose and snap tight, Gleason's Wasted Days Band compare nicely with The Paladins, The Jayhawks and Marty Stuart's Fabulous Superlatives. Veterans of the Northern California club circuit, most weekends you'll find some configuration of these guys playing any stage that'll have 'em just for the sheer joy of it.
"Constantly gigging in a music scene where the odds are really against that AND getting to meet and play with many musicians who I'm BIG fan of still amazes me on a regular basis," says Gleason, who's shared the stage with Jim Lauderdale, Chuck Prophet, Bill Kirchen, Albert Lee and The Mother Hips. The band has opened for the likes of The Derailers, North Mississippi All-Stars, Wanda Jackson, Tony Gilkyson and Susan Tedeschi.
Gleason and his boys drink in every encounter like a hungry sponge. Their unabashed love of deep-rooted country, shines through every track on ‘Just Fall To Pieces’, which features guest appearances from guitarists Albert Lee & Jim Campilongo, Red Meat's Michael Montalto, pedal steel whiz Joe Goldmark, keyboardist Dan Eisenberg (Tift Merritt), and Thom Moore of The Moore Brothers.
Dave Morrison has made a record. At long last. This is a reason to rejoice.
In an often heartless world, this is music that touches the heart. This is about, as Dave sings, a broken bird taking wing. It s the essence of spiritual, inspirational song. This is about flight, about rising above that which drags us down. This is a celebration, a party of the heart. It s about a reason to believe. In a world of increasing inconsequence and irrelevance, these songs are consequential and relevant.
Hear Dave’s gentle, crystalline baritone singing "Times Like These" surrounded in pure acoustic splendor and the soul is nourished, it’s reborn. Listen to Dave singing about his yearning for "oars in the current" in "Precious One" and be hopeful again. "Out of the cave like a radio wave," he sings with words that even Bob Dylan hasn‘t written yet, because we needed Dave Morrison to come along and write them.
"I'm always inspired by you," he sings in an essential song of enduring love, "Falling Down," and it s inspirational to hear such a naked and unapologetic declaration of love and humanity, such transparency into a human heart. This is rare. This is worth pulling your car off the road, turning off the engine, and listening to.
For a long time people have assumed the greatest Morrison writing songs in and about Los Angeles was Jim, but now the secret is out it’s Dave.
Dave Morrison. This is the real thing. People so often mourn for the days when people wrote meaningful songs. Well, folks, mourn no more. Stop your weeping and get this album. It doesn t get better than this. Dave Morrison has made a record.
David Barnes
There are certain things in life that we never stop trying to figure out - the big things - love, pain, spirituality, a bit more love, a bit more pain. You get the idea. They're ideas that inspire endless works of philosophy, art and poetry. They're questions that inevitably lead to more questions. But sometimes someone can take these issues and remind us of their most important aspect: what we actually do understand. Nashville based singer/songwriter Dave Barnes is one of these people. “Chasing Mississippi", produced by Ed Cash, is Dave's most exciting project to date.
“Acoustic”, as the names suggests, is Juno-nominee David Gogo’s exciting new ALL ACOUSTIC CD (ok, he did plug his 1915 Gibson acoustic into an amp on two songs!).
This is his seventh album with Cordova Bay Records and is part of the “Official Bootleg Series – Volume 2.”
The album features ten brand new tracks that are steeped in the blues, roots and folk tradition that have influenced the two time Maple Blues “Guitarist of the Year” throughout his career. Recorded at his home in Nanaimo, BC in between his extensive tour schedule, Acoustic offers fans an intimate and personal look at the acoustic side of his talents as singer, songwriter and guitarist. Acoustic spans the full spectrum of David’s career with songs like “Years Since Yesterday”, a Paladins tune he first performed when he was 19 years old and “As The Crow Flies”, a Tony Joe White song David indicates “I first heard on a Rory Gallagher record. It’s funny how you get turned on to North American music through European musicians dating back to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.”
One of David’s five originals, “She’s Breakin’ Through” is pure Canadiana. Based on a true story and facts he researched through history books, David tells the tragic tale of his Great Grandfather, who was one of nineteen men killed in a 1915 mining accident in the Black Track mines in South Wellington, near Nanaimo.
While David performed most of the work at home, he did make a trip down to Nashville, TN to write “All I Can Do” with one of the top roots songwriters in the world, Gary Nicholson. Gary has written award winning hits for the likes of Willie Nelson, The Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton and most recently Los Lonely Boys amongst many others. “The great connection with Gary was immediate” states David. “It was like meeting someone who is really successful but very cool and talented and with similar influences.”
The impetus for Acoustic draws from his first acoustic CD Bare Bones but was re-inspired by a couple of very successful acoustic performances that David played with Colin James and Colin Linden in 2005. “People really like the acoustic show and as a player, it keeps things interesting and challenges you” says David.
Like a true troubadour, David is looking forward to hitting the road and performing solo in support of the new record and sharing his passion for the music with the world at large. With the broad range of material on this release, it will no doubt appeal to a wide audience.
www.davidgogo.com
www.cordovabay.com
Born in New York, singer-songwriter David Mead's family relocated to Nashville where he spent the majority of his formative years, honing his craft in pop bands such as Verdant Green, Blue Million and Joe, Marc's Brother. Mead eventually ventured out on his own, collaborating on a demo of his songs with local keyboardist Jason Lehning. The recording subsequently landed him in the offices of RCA Records where he performed his tunes alone with a guitar. The label signed him shortly thereafter. With the aid of Lehning (credited as associate producer) and producer Peter Collins (Jewel, Brian Setzer), the 25-year old Mead was given a relatively free hand on his 1999 debut for RCA. The resulting album, The Luxury of Time, is a collection of well-crafted tunes that tap classic writers from George Gershwin and Cole Porter to Lennon and McCartney and Paul Simon for inspiration without ever coming across as contrived or less than fresh. Mead, who moved back to New York at the time of his first recording, cites his years in Nashville for his growth as a writer and for his appreciation of the proverbial three minute pop song. The follow up Mine and Yours was released in early 2001. Indiana surfaced three years later.
www.davidmead.com
”Wherever You Are” is available here:
www.rootsy.nu
"Tangerine" is available here:
www.dotshop.se
Easily his most aggressive and consistent album to date, ‘Strange Birds’ represents a fresh new direction for David Usher, and highlights his introspective lyrical style without sacrificing the commanding intensity of the voice he brings to the stage.
“Everything has a different energy live,” he explains, “and on this record I really wanted to isolate that thing that makes the show work and get that on the recorded versions.” By refusing to be tied to recordings of his songs and constantly re-imagining them to maximize their impact in concert, David has gained a reputation as one of Canada’s most dynamic performers. On ‘Strange Birds’, he takes that ethic to the studio, re-evaluating his music every step of the way, to ensure the songs on the final record were as compelling to him as they had been when freshly written.
From the writing/arrangement process in August 2005, David focused on making the record as cohesive as possible, testing and re-testing new material in a series of small NYC club shows and intensive rehearsals with his Toronto based band. That focus helped David’s long time collaborator, Byron Wong (producer) and LA based Brian Malouf (David Grey, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Pink), who provided additional production and mixed the record, to capture the singer’s unique presence like never before. The result is a lush, guitar driven sound that allowed the veteran singer/songwriter to stretch as a writer, guitar player, and performer. With their undeniable hooks and relentless grooves, songs like “The Music,” “Spotlight On” and “Brilliant” set the tone early in pre-production. Inspired by the ease of translating those songs from stage to studio David continued writing well into the final stage of mastering of the record. “I spent a lot of time re-writing and throwing out a lot of things to make the songs work together.”
If a song didn’t pass muster it was abandoned. Even material that was thoroughly worked over live wasn’t guaranteed to survive recording and could be bumped by stronger, fresher material. Some tracks, like “White Flag,” “So Far Down” and “Some People Say,” came late in the game, but so solidified the record’s sound and perfectly underscored the sentiments of David’s lyrics this time out, that they had to be included.
Embracing change has always been an important element of David’s creative process, and never more so than on Strange Birds. But as much as he values change as a creative tool, David is intensely aware of how isolating its pace can be – how, in a world that increasingly seems to favour extremes over the middle ground, it’s easy for people who fall between those extremes to feel powerless.
At the age of fourteen, the inability to turn a cartwheel changed the direction of Deborah Holland's life. "After not making the cheerleading squad in junior high school, I began playing guitar and writing songs," she says. And the rest, as they say, is history. Deborah went on to become the lead singer and songwriter of Animal Logic, a trio rounded out by Stewart Copeland of Police fame and jazz star Stanley Clarke. Their eclectic sound led to two critically acclaimed albums, worldwide touring, and appearances on David Letterman, The Tonight Show, VH-1, and MTV.
As a solo artist, Deborah’s live shows have captivated audiences at Tin Angel, The Ark, The Bluebird, Eddie’s Attic, Schuba’s, the Ram’s Head, and many more. Her fourth solo release since her Animal Logic days, BAD GIRL ONCE… (RageOn Records, 2006), has been described by reviewers as "gritty, honest, funny, and heartfelt" and "exquisite." The album is a blend of styles as diverse as folk, rock, blues, jazz, and electronica—all strikingly unified by Deborah’s voice. Roger Dietz of Sing Out! magazine says that BAD GIRL ONCE… "is splendid; chillingly warm and on target as anything I have heard since the first time I listened to Antonio Carlos Jobim and wondered how it is that some musicians can turn life into breathtaking art."
Deborah’s third solo release, THE BOOK OF SURVIVAL (Gadfly Records, 1999), was called "an album that demands repeated listening." (Dirty Linen: Folk & World Music) Roundly well-received for its memorable melodies, witty lyrics, and Holland’s "lovely, thoughtful voice" (Sing Out!), it was played on over one hundred radio stations. Her second solo recording, THE PANIC IS ON: SONGS FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION (Gadfly Records, 1997), was an album of political songs from the 1930’s which gained her a wide following among folk radio DJs and folk music fans. Dirty Linen magazine described it as an album "contain[ing] songs of importance beautifully arranged and played." Prior to that, FREUDIAN SLIP (Dog and Pony Records, 1994), her first solo release, received heavy airplay on AAA, college, and public radio stations. In 1995, she was heard on the nationally syndicated radio programs "Mountain Stage," "The Difference with Todd Rundgren," and "World Café." She also recorded duets with Jackson Browne and with Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket.
In addition to making records, Deborah scores music and writes songs for film and television, is a full-time professor of music at California State University at Los Angeles, and performs live. Add to this being a mother, and you have the makings of a hectic lifestyle, one which Deborah says has given her an idea of what a professional juggler feels like. But apparently she wouldn’t change a thing. "Music is as much a part of my life as breathing," she says, "and it has been a whole lot more satisfying than making the cheerleading squad ever would have been."
Debra Davis
Debra Davis is a compelling artist who writes hook-filled songs that hit deep. Many songs from her CDs have been heard on TV and in films, and have attracted a big national following of fans who call themselves “debheads.”
Debra’s new CD, “Complete” (GCG), is packed with her most powerful material yet, and is now in music stores nationwide. “These songs came from the sadness of goodbye and the awe of new life,” says Debra. “In the course of a couple years I was dealing with loss of loved ones, and then the birth of my daughter Ella. So this album deals with the circle of life and all the feelings therein.”
The first single, “Born to Love You,” features a duet with 5-time Grammy winner Christopher Cross. The track “Hiding Place (Da Vinci Code)” is a musical twist on the best-selling novel, and the song “Supernatural High,” is featured on the “Dawson’s Creek” Season 2 DVD, and is also on a SonyWonder CD single accompanying the popular kids’ book series “Avalon: Web of Magic.”
Debra’s tunes have been heard TV shows and films like “Dawson’s Creek (WB)” “Any Day Now” (Lifetime), “The Bold & The Beautiful (CBS),“ “The Smokers” (HBO), and “All You Need,” (Lifetime).
Debra’s song “Takin’ the Wheel” is covered on a CD by new Rounder Records/Universal group “Malibu Storm.”
Born and raised in Southern California, Debra began her musical journey at age 3 when she started giving living room concerts, charging a quarter for admission. A favorite song in the show was her interpretation of “Cabaret”--- she sang “life is a cow parade, ol’ chum, come to the cow parade.”
Debra sang on throughout her school years, taking 12 years of dance and piano then taking up the guitar. She wrote her own songs and performed them in high school shows and community functions. Upon graduation Debra landed her first “gig” as a singer/dancer at Baxter Street Dinner Theater in Newport Beach, CA. It was there that Debra met her “built-in hubby-drummer” and co-producer of her albums, Dave Beyer, (who has drummed for many greats including Melissa Etheridge, The Motels, and currently Christopher Cross.)
Debra continued to perform the gamut of gigs like an Andrews Sisters trio on the Queen Mary, a 4-part vocal jazz group, pounding the clubs in rock band, and singing on numerous jingles and film soundtracks.
In 1996, Debra released her first CD of all original songs, “Uninvited Guests.” This record received much acclaim and airplay, and hit #22 on the Gavin Americana chart. Debra toured the country doing TV, radio and live shows, growing her fan base well into the thousands.
She released her second CD “Angels in the Attic” in 1999. This album created quite a buzz, with lots of TV and film placement, radio airplay and music on retail store audio systems nationwide. Debra’s story was featured on the TNN special “Angel Encounters” and her is career highlighted on the show “Real Artists Working” airing on PBS affiliates.
Debra has built a huge loyal fan base, which includes lots of kids, and she has received stacks of letters and emails from people who share how her music has touched their lives.
Debra has sold more than 20,000 copies of her CDs independently and continues to bring out the crowds to her energetic and captivating shows. She is a storyteller who loves to invite the audience to “meet” special folks like Uncle Carl and Stella and visit her childhood home through her tunes.
Debra’s songs are also on CDs for good causes, like “It’s About Eve” for breast cancer research and “Home” for Children Int’l. She is a founder of the Music Heals organization, where she puts on fundraiser concerts for animal rescue and music programs for foster children.
Deke Dickerson
Deke Dickerson is one of America’s musical treasures.
As an entertainer and musician, he has toured the world and established himself as one of the foremost purveyors of roots music, headlining festivals from Las Vegas to Finland.
As a writer and music historian, he is well known for his regular column in Guitar Player magazine and recently authored two enormous essay projects for Bear Family’s 2007 Merle Haggard box sets.
As an entrepreneur, Deke has partnered with Hallmark Guitars to produce the Deke Dickerson model guitar, as unique in its design, as its namesake.
As a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker, Deke has recorded songs that have been featured in a variety of movies, TV shows, and radio programs, from the Oscar-winning movie ‘Sideways’ to HBO’s documentary ‘Dirty Driving: Thundercars of Indiana’ and the hugely popular XM satellite radio show ‘Theme Time Radio Hour with Bob Dylan’. For this last, Deke not only contributed background guitar music, but was also interviewed and quoted by Bob Dylan.
Deke’s latest project is his new studio album, “King of the Whole Wide World”. Like his previous albums it’s a musical journey through the twisted roots of Americana, but this time the roots go deeper and further than ever before.
Delaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett's musical history spans three decades making it difficult to pinpoint in such a short space his contributions to the world of music. Known as a great songwriter, singer and musician, he has also been a mentor to some of the very best: Eric Clapton, George Harrison, JJ Cale and Bobby Whitlock to name just a few.
From modest beginnings in Pontotoc, Mississippi, Delaney worked his way to the top, but not before a few side adventures. Life in his hometown wasn't for the budding music man and the only way to survive was to pick cotton or join the Armed Services. Delaney joined the Navy for three years and said goodbye to Mississippi. After his release from the Navy with Mississippi in his heart and his feet in Los Angeles he moved his family to be with him, where he has remained ever since.
Living in Los Angeles now, he became a regular on the TV show Shindig as a Shindog, the house band. He was already busy writing with the likes of Joey Cooper, Mac Davis and Jackie DeShannon. Over the years, some of his songs have reached "standard" status such as "Superstar", "Never Ending Song of Love" and "Let It Rain”, among others.
After Eric Clapton joined Delaney on tour he produced and co-wrote songs for Clapton's first solo LP. Due to contractual obligations he relinquished the writer credit to his then wife, Bonnie Bramlett enabling him to keep them in the family. Clapton still credits Delaney for pushing him to sing and teaching him the art.
George Harrison had his first slide bottle placed in his hand by Delaney who quickly taught George how to play slide and write a Gospel song. Out of that lesson came "My Sweet Lord".
He has produced an assortment of artists such as Etta James, Dorothy Morrison (on "Happy Day") and wrote for and produced Elvin Bishop, John Hammond, Bobby Whitlock and the Staple Singers.
He did the late great King Curtis's last LP and taught Curtis to sing, out of which two hits came, "Teasin"' and "Lonesome Long Way From Home". King Curtis kept a room at Delaney's and they spent hour after
hour playing and recording together.
The term "Friends" was coined by Delaney to describe his band and soon the world became his friend. Those involved with Delaney over the years have been many. Joe Cocker sang on the "Motel Shot" LP and Jimi Hendrix joined the "Friends" for a couple weeks of touring. Clapton, Harrison, Duane Allman, Dave Mason and Billy Preston all have been friends too. John Lennon and Delaney collaborated together and Delaney played the friend role as a member of Lennon's Plastic Ono Band. Jerry Lee Lewis requested Delaney's presence during the recording of his famous "London Sessions" album in England. But Duane
Allman and Delaney became best friends sharing ideas, musical licks and a never-ending friendship which to
this day he remembers fondly.
Legendary producer and founder of Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler says some of the best music he ever heard was played by Duane and Delaney on his back porch. They played many nights there, doing old Robert Johnson and Jimmy Rogers tunes
A few of the artists who have recorded Delaney compositions are Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, Chrissie Hynde, Phoebe Snow, Staple Singers, Sonic Youth, Osmonds, The Carpenters, The Everly Brothers, Crystal Gale and even Lawrence Welk used "Never Ending Song of Love" as an opener for one of his shows.
Over the years songwriting partners have included longtime friends like Spooner Oldham, Leon Russell, Steve Cropper, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Billy Burnette, Dorsey Burnette, George Harrison, Mac Davis, Tony Joe White, J.J. Cale, Gary Nicholson and Dennis Morgan.
There isn't a singer or musician in the world that doesn't feel comfortable with him, regardless whether it's on the front porch, in the studio or playing in front of thousands.
Delaney Bramlett has always attracted the best and had the magical ability to make them even better. It's easy to say every musician under the tutelage of Delaney has become a "Superstar".
Two new albums are in the works – “A New Kind Of Blues” and “Rise Up”, as well as a deluxe edition of the classic “Delaney & Bonnie & Friends On Tour With Eric Clapton” in early March 2008.
Delaney's world is music.
The Derailers
It was their mutual love for the music of legendary country artist Buck Owens that originally brought The Derailers together back in the ’90s, and with the 2007 release of their eighth album, ‘Under the Influence of Buck’, the honky-tonkin’ boys from Austin bring their music all the way back to the source with a rollicking and heartfelt tribute to the timeless music of Buck Owens.
As the band has evolved over the years, perfecting its patented “Beatles-meets-Bakersfield” sound, The Derailers have always looked to Owens and his band, the Buckaroos, for inspiration. Their love and respect for the music Owens made is as unabashed and real as the performances that are captured on this special album.
The band met their hero in 1995, performing at a Buck Owen’s birthday celebration in Austin, TX. Owens was visibly touched by the extent to which The Derailers honored him with their faithful adherence to the sound he created. He invited the band to come and play his club in Bakersfield, California, the Crystal Palace, and thus began their musical relationship. And it was Buck who personally asked The Derailers to be the house band for his 70th Birthday Bash in 1999. Buck stood up and cheered for them in front of all in attendance: his friends and family, as well as his business and musical associates - including a reunion of the classic Buckaroos line-up. The back cover photo of Under the Influence of Buck holds the image of Buck looking on with pride at the band who carries on in his footsteps. It is clear that Buck gave the group his genuine seal of approval.
“Over the years, we talked to him extensively about music, what he had done and what we were trying to accomplish,” says The Derailers leader Brian Hofeldt. “He offered insight and sympathy for what we had ahead of us, and most importantly, encouragement. It was an honor to be recognized and boosted by a man who was our musical hero and the times we had to spend with Buck are cherished memories.”
The tireless energy of a seasoned Derailers lineup – including pedal steel guitarist Chris Schlotzhauer and keyboardist Sweet Basil McJagger – together with these Owens’ classics makes for a potent mix and a meant-to-be musical moment. These songs haven’t sounded so contemporary since the day they were first released, from the album’s opening track, “Foolin’ Around,” to “Big in Vegas,” the mournful track that closes this remarkable collection.
Folks who have already had the great pleasure of hearing Derek Lee Bronston perform are well aware of the tremendous talent the guitarist/singer/songwriter possesses. Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman) recently said, “Derek Lee Bronston writes canny songs that cut to the heart of the matter, and delivers his lyrics with nuanced grit.” Audiences will soon have that opportunity as Bronston readies for his debut on Paved Earth Music, scheduled for release in early 2007.
Empty River features 9 original tracks written and arranged by Bronston, who partnered with Producer Dennis Martin (Mark Anthony Jones, Melody) to create a strikingly soulful, folk-rock sound. Townes Van Zandt’s No Place To Fall, the only cover on the record, was recorded live with one microphone in a hallway and captures Bronston’s live open-hearted solo vibe. His songs are accessible, introspective and delivered with impassioned vocals with authenticity and beauty.
There's no denying that Bronston's alt/country musical style pays tribute to such luminaries as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Gram Parsons. What's remarkable is that the same authentic quality inherent to the Americana legends, can exist in music that is being written, performed and recorded today. Bronston's infectious, raspy voice is capable of conveying a wide range of emotions. Through his guitar performances, and clever songwriting, Bronston proves to be a man of enormous talent who has learned from his influences rather than simply imitating them.
The Detroit native picked up his first guitar at age 11 and it wasn’t long after that he was playing in rock bands throughout high school and college. It was upon being exposed to John Coltrane’s First Meditation that his fate was sealed to pursue music in earnest. Derek’s early exploration of politics left him with the conviction that “if there is any hope for the world it is through shared experience not polemic”. For Bronston that common denominator was to be found in music.
The next stop on Bronston’s musical journey was New York City, where Derek Lee became thoroughly immersed in his craft. Within 2 years he was working regularly as a sideman in the storied downtown jazz scene and toured, recorded and performed with such icons as Tom Harrell and Cecil Taylor. Since that time he has played with rockers, The Hush, and the punk band, The Great Shakes, who were hailed by the Village Voice as “the latest, greatest thing to shimmy up from the depths of the 'new' New York scene."
Derek Lee Bronston has come full-circle with Empty River, and is harkening back to his songwriting roots. Accompanied by Gintas Janusonis (Angelique Kidjo), Brad Craig (of Chuck D’s band), Dennis Martin, Dave Phelps and Melissa Greener singing back up vocals, Bronston delivers an excellent, honest collections of songs that express his unique personal viewpoint and singular musical gift.
Doc Schneider is an Atlanta lawyer by day and night, and a songwriter in between. Doc grew up on Long Island, New York (in Massapequa Park), and did his undergraduate work at the United States Naval Academy and Auburn University. He met and married Alabama beauty, Helen Schroll, in 1977 and has been in the South ever since.
Doc began playing the guitar at age 14, under the heady influence of the singer-songwriter movement, with James Taylor, Carole King, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon and Don McLean in the lead. At age 19, while attending the United States Naval Academy Prep School in Newport Rhode Island, Doc penned his first song – “Coming Home Again”.
Never envisioning himself as a songwriter, Doc pursued other interests in English Literature and the law, graduating from Mercer University's School of Law in 1981. Doc joined the renowned law firm of King & Spalding that same year, and he has been a trial lawyer at that firm for more than 25 years. The firm now has offices in Atlanta, GA, Washington DC, New York, Houston, London and Dubai. In between a booming practice and the exciting national and international growth of King & Spalding, Doc stumbled on the music of David Wilcox in 1992, discovering Dar Williams shortly thereafter. These great new songwriters inspired Doc to return to the songwriting arena (where he had only dabbled off and on in the intervening years). In 2003, Doc released "Choices and Chances", a collection of 20 songs that he recorded at Songbird Studio in Atlanta.
In 2004 to 2006, Doc collaborated with Jeff Jacobs (keyboard player for Foreigner), Ben Wisch (famed producer of Marc Cohn, Bebo Norman and numerous others) and Eugene Ruffolo (singer songwriter and recording artist whose most recent release is "The Hardest Easy") and released “Second Chances” - a new collection of his songs performed by a stellar lineup of musicians and performers, including Eugene Ruffolo, Lucy Kaplansky, Jon Allmet, Josie Aiello, Jeff Jacobs, Cheryl Wilson, and Greg Ferguson. Amazingly and because they started very young, both “Choices and Chances” and “Second Chances” were released after Doc and Helen became grandparents! Doc and Helen have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Doug Cox
Doug Cox is a roots-music renaissance man. From his bucolic home in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, the slide guitar and dobro master has carved-out an amazingly diverse career as a recording artist and touring musician who has played festivals, clubs and concert halls across Canada and the United States and around the world from Dobrofest in Slovakia to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Doug’s 2003 CD, “Dobro and Guitar” was listed in Acoustic Guitar Magazine as one of the Top CDs of 2003.
New CD “Slide To Freedom” just out on Northern Blues Records.
"Slide To Freedom" available here:
www.rootsy.nu
Doug Hoekstra
"A lot of people write songs, Hoekstra writes five-minute worlds"
(Wired Magazine).
Doug Hoekstra’s instantly recognizable musical persona and deep talent for songcraft have garnered years of praise from critics, DJ’s, and fans throughout the United States and Europe. Raised in Chicago and living in Nashville, he has earned a well-deserved reputation as a man with an ear for a phrase and an eye for detail, a man known as a “songwriter’s songwriter” (CMJ Music Monthly). Hoekstra's gentle baritone anchors his music, setting sympathetic narratives against a backdrop of memorable melodies, wry rhythms, and subtle but unexpected arrangement touches. The sum total of the parts? "Americana's answer to Oscar Wilde...mesmerizing both musically and lyrically" (Americana-UK).
Hoekstra has released six full-length works on labels in the U.S. and Europe (‘When The Tubes Begin To Glow’, ‘Rickety Stairs’, ‘Make Me Believe’, ‘Around the Margins’, ‘Waiting’, and ‘Blooming Roses’), earning him Nashville Music Award, Independent Music Award, and NARAS nominations. His latest project, ‘Blooming Roses’ features all the Hoekstra hallmarks – honest vocals, narrative lyrics, emotive chord changes and impeccable musicianship. From the soul vibe of the title track to the atmospheric groove of the closer (‘Everywhere is Somewhere’), the music is infused with mood and purpose, creating a unified and rich musical landscape that stands as Hoekstra’s strongest work to date.
‘Blooming Roses’ was recorded primarily at David Henry’s True Tone Recording studios in Nashville, with a bevy of Nashville’s finest helping achieve its dreamlike cohesion -- save for the closing track, which was cut in Stavanger, Norway at Out of Tunes Recording with members of Thomas Dybdahl’s touring band.
Hoekstra has toured both sides of the pond extensively - The U.S., the U.K., Holland, Germany and Norway, inclusive, performing at bookstores, coffeehouses, clubs, libraries, pubs, festivals, radio stations, and castles, solo and with band in tow. Throughout this musical journey, he has been participant and observer, finding time to write a boatload of prose about these and other experiences. His short fiction and non-fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals, and he was nominated for the Pushcart Prize for his tale “The Blarney Stone” (2006). Hoekstra's first-full length collection of prose, ‘Bothering the Coffee Drinkers’, was published in 2006 to rave reviews and earned a Bronze Medal for Best Short Fiction in the 2007 Independent Publisher Awards (IPPYs). As Paste Magazine noted, “Music runs like a liquid vein through these 80-proof experiences. Hoekstra pours it out with a Dylan-esque fervor, giving us a sputtering catalog of beauties and terrors…”
Chris Sprague
Cina Samuelson
Citizen K
City Fritter
Clare Burson
Damien Dempsey
Dan Sandman
Daniel Lanois
Darryl Purpose
Dave Gleason
Dave Morrison
David Barnes
David Gogo
David Mead
David Usher
Deborah Holland
Debra Davis
Deke Dickerson
Delaney Bramlett
Derailers
Derek L Bronston
Doc Schneider
Doug Cox
Doug Hoekstra
