| ********************************************************* GARY ALLEN'S SONIC BIDS SPOTLIGHT ARTISTS 2007-2008 Band Of The Month & Song Of The Month ********************************************************* |
| By Gary Allen |
| APRIL 2008 |
| Compton Maddux from New York City, New York. Song: Black Violin Compton Maddux has been recognized by NSAI/CMT for his cool songwriting & singing of "Black Violin". Out of over 4,000 entries "Black Violin" placed in the top 15 and is a 2008 Country Music Television Listener's Choice Finalist. Compton will also performing at The Folk Alliance Festival in Memphis on Feb 22. Compton Maddux was born in NYC but the country in him comes straight outta Compton - right from the DNA. He is a true country singer from the most urbane and densely populated area of the nation. His mother gave him two last names so he would become a distinguished writer like Tennessee Williams or Flannery O'Connor. After an idyllic youth eating apples, stealing corn and setting fires he was sent away to school where he was steeped like a tea bag in the classics-- Homer, Shakespeare and Bob Dylan. Compton Maddux's new album DIRT SIMPLE is an accoustic based blues-Appalachian weld along the lines of Allison Krause and Steve Earle. The material is peppered with humor and irony. Other contibuting writers include Paul Jay and Eliot Osborn from the Outerspace Band. Says Maddux,"I like to put sex and religion in close proximity and paint the America that I would like to exist..." Players on this album include Allison Cornell (Shania Twain) on fiddle/vocals and Bill Ruyle on hammer dulcimer and percussion. Gary Solomon on standup bass. John Moses/ dobro and banjo. Steve Hardwick and Gil Paris on electric guitars It was recorded live on a rainy night..at Lenny Posts' studio in Blauvelt, N.Y. The competition was brutally wicked this month but Compton reminds me of Steve Earl who I have worked with briefly, and obviously that's a good thing. An untroubled Steve Earl; take notice Music City. It could happen. Best of Luck! Sonic Bids Song Of The Month, Courtesy of Gary Allen |
| COMPTON MADDUX from New York, N.Y. Song: Black Violin Compton Maddux Links: http://www.myspace.com/comptonmaddux http://www.sonicbids.com/comptonmaddux |
| ERIC BLAKELY from Austin Texas Links: www.sonicbids.com/EricBlakely2 www.ericblakely.com |
| Eric Blakely Austin, Texas An independent musical artist, Blakely has forged what many musicians would consider to be a dream career. Over the course of what is now five albums, he has enjoyed critical acclaim. His video for "Uncle John's Farm" has been in rotation on CMT, his music has taken him around the world, including Texas, California, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, and Paris, France, and he has toured with such other songwriters as Steve Wynn, Mary McBride and fellow Texan, Susan Gibson. He has also enjoyed the buzz of playing Rolling Stones songs onstage in Las Vegas with Stones saxophone man Bobby Keys. With Still Life at Full Speed, his latest CD on his own Folk Reels label, Blakely delivers yet another stunning set of what England's Bucket Full of Brains praises as "bright, witty and erudite countrypop songs." Blakely's debut album, Uncle John's Farm, made an immediate splash with critics and music buffs in America and overseas. When his video for the title track landed on CMT, Blakely became known as one of Austin's rising artists. It's a collection that runs the gamut of human emotion and experience and fulfills the praise he earned from the Houston Post on his debut recording as "one of the most promising young Austin songwriters." Within its 12 songs (and one bonus track) are the cogent, philosophical ruminations of the title tune and breathtakingly beautiful love songs like "Since I Found You" and "I'll Be Yours" that resonate with the beating of the human heart. Conversely, there's also story songs like "The Ballad of Lester & Mary" and "Hangin' Tree" that feel as old and authentic as the hills, and the cheeky wit of "Another Friday Night at the Laundromat." When Blakely sings that his life has "Been A Long Road," he displays the life lessons he has learned and a musical and lyrical facility that captures the essence of human experience.Now with Still Life at Full Speed, Blakely offers his most assured and winning effort yet, blending pop, rock'n'roll and roots music into his own distinctive style. As he says, "When you get an audience and connect with them, it makes it all worthwhile." And connecting with Blakely on this album should be a worthy experience for anyone who loves great music, fine writing and a distinctive sound that comes straight from the heart. Very fresh and something I would hand off to JJ Cale to give a listen. I love the Texas music and Eric has something original. If you get a deal, don't forget to get paid, and not in Monopoly money like me. It isn't legal tender says the FBI. All the best and good luck with your career... Sonic Bids Band Of The Month, Courtesy of Gary Allen |