Posted by Pete Smith on January 25, 2008, 12:23 am
81.132.17.23
Ralph Parker calls Sydney, New South Wales, Australia his home though his talents as both a country singer and writer could comfortably call Nashville, Tennessee home. Ralph’s third album, “A High Price For Low Livin’” (Universal Sound Records) was recorded in “Music City” under the astute direction of T. Jae Christian and engineered by the super talented Mark Moseley (readers of a certain age may recall I brought Mark and his show to the Rotherham Arts Centre some years ago). “A High Price” is packed with wonderful heartache with most of the twelve songs dealing with the hurting side of love and with the singer bringing a stark reality to each story. But the programme is not all honky tonk weepers (though there are some beautiful ones included), two-steppers and the odd rocker balance the show nicely. Ralph features three of his originals; “Thinkin’ Bout The Good Times”, “Angels Don’t Stay” and “An old Valentine” alongside Billy Davis’s “Somebody’s Gonna Get Hurt”, Craig Karp’s “Buryin’ Bones By The Dozen” and Monty Criswell’s “Sweet Perfume”. I do urge you to check this out. www.universalsoundrecords
Andy Byron became hooked on the Kingston Trio at the age of nine. Andy bought all of the trio’s records and these encouraged him to learn guitar. His guitar teacher gave Andy two Gordon Lightfoot songs to learn and these convinced the young Californian his direction lay in music. Over the years Andy has performed in a number of bands and duos mostly on a part-time basis whilst he pursued his education and later his career in real estate. A move to Idaho saw a change of career – financial planning, and an opportunity to develop his other career – country music and late in 2007 Andy released his debut album “Somewhere Or Nowhere” (Comstock). The twelve excellent songs were all written by Byron and most focus on some aspect of family life, something dear to Andy’s heart, with moods ranging from tearful to foot-tapping but all having a positive message. A most interesting and enjoyable programme that includes “Lucky Me”, “My Little Angel”, “Nancy” and “White Picket Fence”. www.andybyronmusic.com
Happy birthday this week to Phil Everly on Saturday. Phil, of course, was half the legendary Everly Brothers who progressed from adolescent hillbilly singers to pop music’s most successful duo. Also on Saturday Dolly Parton, a recent visitor to Rotherham, celebrates her birthday. Slim Whitman, the first country singer to become a UK superstar, celebrates on Sunday. During the fifties Slim had nine UK hits with seven different songs including the number one rated “Rose Marie”. In 1974 Slim returned to the UK top twenty with “Happy Anniversary”. Mac Davis, whose hits include “In The Ghetto” and “It’s Hard To Be Humble”, celebrates on Monday and it is Doug Kershaw’s turn next Thursday. Doug, The Ragin’ Cajun, will be forever remembered for his classic “Louisiana Man”.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
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