Posted by Pete Smith on November 8, 2008, 11:58 pm
217.42.199.115
The Advertiser (UK)
10 October 2008
Zane Trusty has experienced a very interesting career, one mixed with success and disappointment. He was born in Frederick, Oklahoma but by age ten was playing guitar in Dallas, Texas. He moved back to Oklahoma but soon decided to try his luck in Nashville, where, in 1989 he signed an artist- management contract. He recorded two albums for ABI, "Oklahoma Blue" and "Heartzone". A release on Arista proved not too successful so Zane moved to Arkansas where he performed regularly with Bill Bays (of The Stamps Quartet). In 1996 Trusty decided to hit the road with his band, Branded Stray, playing shows through the USA and opening for his good friend Joe Diffie. In 1994 Zane met Mark Hendry and formed the duo Austin and King. After performing in Branson for short time they relocated to Texas to work on an album. Upon release four singles (written by Trusty) made the top 40 with "Blue Bonnets" peaking at number one in seven countries and "Fiddle And The Swing" making the number two spot. In 2001 Trusty moved back to Tennessee where he was asked to MC and sing for five shows with Grand Ole Opry stars Ernie Ashworth, Jan Howard, Charley Louvin, Bailey and the Boys, Del Reeves, and Gail Davies. Zane has been shared the stage with Garth Brooks, Bill Monroe, Clint Black, Wild Rose, Clinton Gregory, Ronnie Millsap, and many others. This year Zane decided to get back into the studios to record another solo album. “Zane Trusty” (GSP) is certainly a powerful way to re-introduce one to the record buying public with twelve excellent original songs that blend western swing with honky tonk and tender heart ballads with interesting story songs. Zane has a great country voice and the musicianship is superb on such outstanding tracks as “Fiddle And The Swing”, “Driving Me Out Of My Mind”, “Picture On The Wall” and “Can’t Live In Darkness”. My thanks to EHK of Santa Fe for providing this most rewarding country experience. www.zanetrusty.com
Congratulations to Tanya Tucker who achieves the big five zero today (10 October). A country singer almost from birth, Tanya began singing seriously at the age of nine and four years later was signed to CBS by the great Billy Sherrill. Her first record, “Delta Dawn”, was an instant hit and set her upon a career of unprecedented success for one so young.
Two years older than Tanya today is John Prine, one of my top favourite country folk singer/writers. If you are unfamiliar with the name you will certainly know of his “Broken Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness”, one of the most covered songs in country. Happy birthday to you both!
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
17 October 2008
We often read of country artists paying their dues, but has anyone paid quite so much as Larry Rice. Larry played rock and soul for members of the Armed Forces when he was just twelve years old, was a street fiddler, delivered singing telegrams and was even a gorilla-gram! Music has always been a part of Larry’s life. He began playing music in his father’s bluegrass band The Golden State Boys before forming his own band, the quirkily name Haphazards with his brothers Tony and Ronnie. During the seventies Tony co-founded The New South with J.D. Crowe leaving in 1976 to be replaced by Ricky Skaggs. He has toured with Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) and was a member of Flatbush, a band that supported several top country rock outfits. These days Larry is busier than ever teaching fiddle, guitar, bass and mandolin, gardening, teaching football (soccer), performing with the Rice Brothers Band (Larry and Steve with Kevin Sparks and Bill Dennis) and appearing in the band Big Cheese with his daughters Lea and Shannon. Larry’s current album, “Little House” is a great project, interesting, amusing and so well performed with eight of the eleven tracks composed by Rice. The programme is a mix of musical styles that range from jazz (Love Time”) to Gospel (“This Is My Father’s World”), pop (“Elegant Lady”) to traditional country (“Soldier’s Joy/Over The Waterfall”). Humour creeps in often on songs like “Red State, Blue State” (a duet with steel guitarist L.B. Roath), “Another Year Older” (a birthday song for country lovers) and “Redneck Cappuccino” (a.k.a Mountain Dew). www.Fiddler@LarryRiceMusic.com
Back in June I reviewed the album “Transition” by the singer/writer David Britten and informed how I was so impressed by this talented Canadian. Quite often this has happened, one great album and the artist disappears. Not so with Britten. David is back with an even more powerful collection of original songs titled “Images Of A Life” (Sarajen). David has a warm feel to both his vocals and writing that makes all he performs so convincing. He has the spirit of Marty Robbins, something that struck me immediately when listening to this beautiful collection of story songs. “On The Run (Ballad Of Paddy Mitchell)” is a contemporary gunfighter ballad, “Listen To Your Papa Son” offers excellent advice and one can feel the yearning in “Santa Fe Is Only Ten Miles Away”. My top favourite though is the brilliant autobiographical “Just Want To Hear My Dad Sing”. I cannot get enough of that one. Full marks also to the accompanying musicians, Greg Geeves and Willy McCoy and to the singers, The Bank Street Gang. www.cdbaby.com or www.suchmusic.com
Happy birthday to Jeannie C. Riley on Sunday and to Wanda Jackson on Monday.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
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