After just two weeks out, the new one from six-time Grammy Winner JERRY
DOUGLAS is already one of Sugar Hillís hot summer sellers. Restless on the
Farm (SH3875) highlights include Steve Earle (guesting on a potent update of
the Johnny Cash classic Donít Take Your Guns To Town), the expressive and
beautiful sounds of Maura OíConnell (on Follow On), and even a raucous remake
of legendary rock/blues guitarist Johnny Winterís TV Doctor (with the
bluegrass godfather of soul, John Cowan, on lead vocals). Look for lots of
press as Jerry tours nearly non-stop this summer as special guest of Alison
Krauss and Union Station.
Sugar Hill has produced an EPK for Jerry Douglas and Restless on the Farm that
is available to official media types just for the asking. Itís an informative
and entertaining peek at this amazing artist...an artist whoís appeared on
more than 1,000 recordings by such diverse and successful artists as Garth
Brooks, James Taylor, Reba McEntire, Ray Charles, Ricky Skaggs, Indigo Girls,
and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, just for starters. Jerry appears on the soundtrack to
Robert Redfordís current film, The Horse Whisperer and just returned from
Scotland last week where he helped mix the BBC special, Transatlantic
Sessions, filmed there last March.
Last night, Jerry was the subject of a feature on Today's Country with Crook &
Chase. The piece featured highlights from Jerryís album release in-store at
Blockbuster in Nashville. The in-store featured a number of guests from
Jerryís new album--including Steve Earle. Country and bluegrass legend Tom T.
Hall joined the throng of fans filling the store (Tomís versions of Rocky Top
and Fox on the Run are arguably the best known and loved the world over).
CHRIS HILLMANís new Sugar Hill release, Like a Hurricane (6/16/98) includes
such guests as David Crosby, Jennifer Warnes, and David Lindley. Like a
Hurricane, according to Chris, covers most of the musical territory heís
traveled...from breaking new rock ground with The Byrds, to the ever-
influential Flying Burrito Brothers, which Chris co-founded with the late Gram
Parsons, to the country chart-topping Desert Rose Band, Like a Hurricane is a
first rate representation of this RockíníRoll Hall of Famerís remarkable
career! Look for Chris on the road with Crosby, Stills & Nash this fall.
Also out this month, innovative bluegrass and gospel great DOYLE LAWSON &
QUICKSILVER (Dale and the two Barrys) get back to the new, old-time way and
mine an awe-inspiring bunch of Gospel Radio Gems (SH-3879). Doyle recorded
this wonderful collection of comforting songs the old-fashioned way...with
four voices, one guitar, and just two microphones. The good olí days never
sounded better! DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVERís Kept & Protected (SH-3867) won
the Indie Award for Best Southern Bluegrass Recording during the AFIM
Convention in Denver last month (see below for more on the Indie Awards).
Doyle also received the Gospel Recording of the Year Award for Kept &
Protected in the first-ever Bluegrass Now Fansí Choice Awards...and was
nominated for a Dove Award. Doyleís new release, Gospel Radio Gems, will no
doubt prove even more successful!
ìItís everything it shouldíve been...and more!î Thatís the word from
Bluegrass Unlimited editor Sharon Watts on RONNIE BOWMANís new solo release,
The Man Iím Tryiní To Be (SH-3880--in stores 6/16). This super-charged solo
album is Ronnieís long-awaited follow-up to his best-selling solo debut, Cold
Virginia Night (which won IBMAís Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Male
Vocalist of the Year Awards). The Man Iím Tryiní To Be sports an-all star
cast--including Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, J.D. Crowe, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush,
and more. As Sharon says, ìIt kicks butt--and thatís the bottom line.î Amen,
sister. Ronnieís day job, vocalist and bass player with the multi-award
winning Lonesome River Band, is also going strong. LRBís insatiable energy
takes them to new levels of musical greatness...as youíll hear on their new
one, Finding the Way (SH-3884), in stores August 18.
Ricky Skaggs likes to call his electrifying Kentucky Thunder banjo player
ìSmiliní Jim Millsî...after years as one of the best kept secretís in
bluegrass, the word is out...JIM MILLS rules! Sugar Hill proudly releases
Jimís debut, Bound To Ride (SH-3883), on
7/21. Packed with great hard-core, classic Scruggs-style bluegrass--and such
top notch talent as Barry Bales, Stuart Duncan, JERRY DOUGLAS, Alan OíBryant,
DON RIGSBY, Ricky Skaggs, Tim Stafford, and Adam Steffey--this phenomenal
album also features a great mix of originals, traditionals, and outstanding
tracks from Herschel Sizemore, Ralph Stanley, Don Stover, and Hank Williams.
Hereís Jim on Bound to Ride: ìThereís not one song on this record that I think
the most ëdyed in the woolí bluegrass fan would not consider traditional
bluegrass. Thatís something Iím very happy about because it seems to me today
almost everyone is trying to ìwater downî this music. There was nothing
watered down about it in 1945 when the legendary Bill Monroeís band (featuring
Flatt & Scruggs, Chubby Wise, and Howard Watts) recorded what would be this
musicís foundation--and I donít see any need to weaken or smooth the edges on
something that was meant to be strong and a
little raw.î Itís bound to be one of your favorites!
HERB PEDERSENíS band the LAUREL CANYON RAMBLERS are Back on the Street Again
(SH-3879) July 21 with their latest batch of strong west coast bluegrass.
Strong songs, tight harmonies, and the ferocious fiddling of GABE WITCHER (pop
superstar Beckës fiddler of choice) are the hallmark of this crowd-pleasing
group.
That same street date (7/21) sees the release of the new one from multi-Grammy
Award winners THE NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND. ALAN OíBRYANT and PAT ENRIGHT
power the band with flawless, yet soul-filled sounds, along with bandmates
STUART DUNCAN, GENE LIBBEA, and ROLAND WHITE. Itís no wonder that after the
release of their last Grammy-winning album, Unleashed, NBB played both
Wynonnaís wedding party and for alternative rock monsters R.E.M.
SAM BUSH is flying high on the heels of his brand new release Howliní at the
Moon (SH-3876)...itís up to #3 on Gavinís Americana Chart.
Speaking of chart-topping, ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMSí new release, Devil of a
Dream (SH-1059) is the #1 album on Crossroads Magazineís folk chart. The
magazine targets outside the mainstream radio--with an especially appreciated
emphasis on roots music...and thatís music to our ears! ROBIN & LINDA
WILLIAMS also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last Tuesday.
Garrison Keillor devoted a special silver anniversary portion of Prairie Home
Companion to Robin and Linda... complete with cake! If you have yet to
profile the Williamsí sweet--but not sappy--sounds of success, nowís the
perfect time!
Sugar Hill was a big winner at the annual Indie Awards presented by the
Association for Independent Music (AFIM) during its convention in Denver (May
16). Sugar Hill won Indies for Best Seasonal Recording (DAN CRARY Holiday
Guitar SH-3871), Best
Americana Recording (JAMES MCMURTRY It Had to Happen SH-1058), and Best
Southern Bluegrass Recording (DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER Kept & Protected
SH-3867). In addition, Sugar Hillís MOLLIE OíBRIEN wowed the crowd with a
short set during the awards ceremony. Mollieís new Sugar Hill release, Big
Red Sun Blues (SH-3885), hits stores August 18. That same date also sees the
new release from Indie winner JAMES MCMURTRY. Between the Raindrops (SH-1060)
is more McMurtry, but less melancholy.
Sugar Hillís KATHY KALLICK plays a Benefit Concert for Rosalie Sorrels in Los
Gatos, CA, on Saturday, June 20. The well-loved folk and traditional music
legend is battling cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Kathy
joins Lucy Kaplansky, Nina Gerber, Alice Stuart and Prune Rooney for this
fundraising good time.
SUGAR HILLís New Release News Release
JUNE 16
CHRIS HILLMAN Like a Hurricane (SH-3878)
DOYLE LAWSON Gospel Radio Gems (SH-3879)
RONNIE BOWMAN The Man Iím Tryiní to Be (SH-3880)
JULY 21
LAUREL CANYON RAMBLERS Back on the Street Again (SH-3881)
NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND American Beauty (SH-3882)
JIM MILLS Bound to Ride (SH-3883)
AUGUST 18
JAMES MCMURTRY Between the Raindrops (SH-1060)
LONESOME RIVER BAND Finding the Way (SH-3884)
MOLLIE OíBRIEN Big Red Sun Blues (SH-3885)
Thanks a bunch!
Rebekah.
Rebekah Radisch
Publicity Director
SUGAR HILL RECORDS
PO Box 55300
Durham NC 27717-5300
919-489-4349
919-489-6080 FAX
rebrad@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/REBRAD/sugarhill.html
(real, fancy website coming soon...http://www.sugarhillrecords.com)