Posted by Pete Smith on January 4, 2009, 12:10 pm
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The Advertiser 19 December 2008
Canadian songbird Rebekka Paige made her first public appearance whilst still at school. Her rendition of the Leann Rimes hit “Life Goes On” gained her a standing ovation from fellow pupils, teachers and parents sowing the seeds for a career in music. Rebekka embarked on a plan to achieve her breakthrough by entering (and winning) talent competitions and appearing wherever and whenever people would listen. This led to performing with local favourite bands and to recording a demo album. Though the album was used only for promotional purposes it did convince Rebekka, and others (including the multi-award winning Michelle Wright who declared the young performer was “an awesome singer”), that she was a talent ready to be launched onto a larger market. The debut album is the Keith Glass (Prairie Oyster) produced “Rebekka Paige”, a collection of ten songs that, with a couple of exceptions, will keep your feet tapping throughout the programme. Included are great versions of Tom Petty’s “Hometown Blues”, Benmont Tench’s “Unbreakable Heart” and the radio favourite “Girls Like Fast Cars Too”. Rebekka’s talent as a writer is displayed with two collaborations with Keith Glass, “Out Of Luck” and “Watch Your Back”. www.cdbady.com and www.rebekka.ca
Megan Munroe is another young lady who is causing ripples in the world of contemporary country. Megan was born and raised in the foothills outside of Washington where her parents gave full range to and encouraged an active imagination. At the time it was not known just how much this parental attitude would help the young Megan achieve her aims in the world of performance. Her keen imagination coupled with a heightened perception of the world around her has enabled Megan to enter the world of song writing at a high level. Her wonderful voice adapts beautifully to the particular mood of the song whether it be a steamy Delta blues, a sweet bluegrass tune or a gritty down to earth country ballad. Though still only twenty-five years of age Megan has packed more into her life than many do in a full span. Moving to L.A. at age seventeen she appeared in countless television ads, television drama and three movies. It was during a spare moment that Megan played a demo tape of some of her songs and suddenly she knew it was music not acting that was her future. “One more Broken String”, the debut album, features one Munroe original, “Belle Meade” and ten collaborations with Brian Oaks. Behind this feast of tender and power ballads, rocking and bluesy numbers a collection of excellent musicians pick out the tunes with Tim Crouch adding telling touches on his mandolin, fiddle and banjo and Robby Springfield heightening the atmosphere with his steel guitar. Check out; “Angel On My Shoulder” (outstanding!), “Moonshine”, “Leavin’ Memphis” and “Lonely Tonight”. www.meganmunroe.com
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
The Advertiser 26 December 2008
R.W. Hampton is a real life cowboy. His love affair with all things western began at a young age in New Mexico where he learned to multi-task like all good ranch hands. After a few years in New Mexico R.W. drifted into Nevada then to Texas. At the end of a long day R.W. would pick up his guitar and sing to entertain his colleagues in bunkhouses and at roundups. As his talents as a singer/guitarist/writer became known he was invited to perform in public and quickly the demands on his time grew too much. A decision had to be made. Would he continue as a ranch hand or quit to become a performer? R.W. decided to give up the secure income offered by regular work in favour of the uncertainty of the life of a western performer.
At first work was hard to come by but as his reputation grew his life became busier and busier not only performing at functions and shows but also appearing in the movies. R.W’s first movie was the 1985 “Wild Horses” with Kenny Rogers. Ten more followed including “The Tracker” (Kris Kristofferson), “The Gambler 111” (Kenny Rogers) and a documentary about the American cowboy. As a singer/writer R.W. has appeared on the “Grand Ole Opry”, The Smithsonian Institute and at cowboy gatherings throughout America, Australia and Brazil.
The multi-award winning Hampton has, to date, recorded eleven albums including his current “R.W. Hampton Presents Oklahoma…Where The West Remains” (Cimarron) recorded last year to commemorate 100 years of statehood. The album is educational, interesting and very entertaining with its blend of monologues, songs and sweeping instrumentals. As a life long fan of the American west I would have no hesitation in citing this as the best western album ever! The album opens with an exhilarating overture by Oklahoma’s Enid Symphony Orchestra who perfectly paint mind images of a land both wild and beautiful. R.W’s warm baritone then takes centre stage with each song preceded by an interesting monologue as he pays homage to the people who made the state great; the Native Americans and immigrants, the cowboys and African Americans, the oilmen and the religionists. Hampton wrote all but three of the songs, Cindy Walker’s “Dusty Skies”, Jack Guthrie’s “Oklahoma Hills” and the traditional “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks”. Rich O’Brien, that master of western music, produced and played guitar. This really is essential listening. These days R.W. lives with his family on his Clearview Ranch on the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico where he performs the chores he loves when he is not out performing, reminding his audiences of the glorious West. www.rwhampton.com
Happy New Year to you one and all!
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