Susan Hickman Is "One Of Those Who Makes It Up There" In Country Weekly Magazine
Listen Up! Feature Offers Free Download Now Through March 1
Nashville, TN (February 15, 2010) -- Susan Hickman explains how classic rock, opera and religious music fueled her love of song and gave her the drive and desire to entertain in the Listen Up! feature of February 22's issue of Country Weekly (on stands today). The Texas beauty also gives the magazine's readers a sneak peek at her upcoming CD (SUSAN HICKMAN), with a free download of "One Of Those Who Makes It Up There." The track is available now through March 1 from www.countryweekly.com/freemusic.
"I grew up singin' in the choir," Hickman explains. "But there's been a lot of living 'in between' the church and the honky tonks and festivals where I perform now," the petite 24-year old says with a laugh. "And I've learned a lot along the way."
The singer will take that knowledge and her energetic stage show with her when she begins her first European tour next month. Billed as the "3 Star Texas BBQ Tour," Susan joins fellow entertainers Jody Booth and Liz Talley for 10-day tour (March 5-14) that covers Germany, Holland and Switzerland. Fans can enjoy Susan's blog and hear more music at www.susanhickman.com and www.MySpace.com/SusanHickman, or purchase music at iTunes and CDBaby.
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Natural Nuance, Poetic Imagination And Magical Tone Highlight Becky Schlegel's New CD, DANDELION
Purchase Now Online Or In Stores April 6
Nashville, TN (February 1, 2010) -- Becky Schlegel's newest CD, DANDELION (LILLY RAY/IGO Records), is a live-sounding record that is rich with natural nuance, poetic imaginings and magical tone. Co-produced by Schlegel and Brian Fesler and recorded in Minnesota, the project drops April 6, 2010. "We took a more relaxed, spontaneous approach on DANDELION,"says Becky, a new Nashville resident. "We let the songs be free to end up where they were destined to be."
The 13-song collection resonates with Schlegel's insightful originals and ever-engaging voice. Two very special guests appear on the disc: Randy Kohrs (Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall) and Josh Williams (Rhonda Vincent, 2009 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year). Seasoned musicians adding their talents include: Brian Fesler (Banjo, Acoustic/Electric Guitars); Richard Dworsky, Benny Weinbeck (Piano); Gordon Johnson (Bass); Marc Anderson, Phil Hey (Percussion/Drums); Michael Witcher (Resonator Guitar); Kenny Wilson (Pedal Steel, Electric Guitar); Clint Hoover (Chromatic/Diatonic Harps) and Josh Williams, Jeff Midkiff and Joe Cruz on Mandolin.
What makes DANDELION so striking is the continued growth of Becky's songwriting and her polished comfort in the producer's chair. While her voice has been compared to Alison Krauss, and her writing compared to that of Sarah McLachlan and Jewel, there is no denying that DANDELION offers the purest and best of Becky Schlegel all around. An Appalachian thread runs throughout the project, and Schlegel draws heavily upon her bluegrass heritage to add an earthy sparkle and subtle shine to each track. From the memories of her grandmother, glimpsed throughout the disc's opener "Anna," to the haunting vignettes invoked by the title track, her imaging paints portraits that are startling in their vividness. Her current single, "Colorado Line," is a mid-tempo look back at a well-remembered goodbye - and what might have been, while the engaging "I Never Loved You Cowboy," is a tune inspired by a real-life teenaged breakup. Schlegel confronts infidelity in "So Embarrassing," which features the artful harmonies and signature Resonator Guitar of Kohrs. "When It Rains" showcases Williams joining Schlegel to create a mesmerizing vocal pairing.
DANDELION is her most "country" effort to date; the result of songs pulled from past memories and dreams unfulfilled and heretofore unspoken. The disc will be in stores nationwide on April 6, but fans can order copies online now. DANDELION is Becky's fourth solo album of originals, following RED LEAF, DRIFTER LIKE ME, and the critically-acclaimed FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE. The Minnesota Music Academy has honored her for five consecutive years, and in 2003, 2005 and 2008, she performed at the IBMA's prestigious Songwriters' Showcase. Schlegel continues to entertain fans at intimate venues surrounding her new Nashville home, and across the Midwest.
Fans can learn more about Becky and purchase her music at www.beckyschlegel.com.
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Todd Fritsch Makes HLSR "Three-peat" - Returns For Shows February 25, 26 & 27
Also Appears At The Hideout March 6
Offers Fans Free Download of "Cowboy Legacy"
Houston, TX (February 11, 2010) -- Country entertainer Todd Fritsch makes a "three-peat" when he returns to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (http://hlsr.com/) talent lineup again this year. Fritsch and his band Stampede will barrel into the Rodeo (and its associated World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest) for the third consecutive year, bringing Todd's unique "traditional with a twist" sound back to the Rodeo stages for shows February 25, 26 and 27 and at The Hideout on Saturday, March 6.
Thursday (Feb. 25), Friday (Feb. 26) and Saturday (Feb. 27) :
9 - 11 p.m. (DAILY performances at the World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, Private Tent)
Saturday, February 27:
12:30 - 2 p.m. (World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest's GARDEN STAGE)
Saturday, March 6:
8:30 p.m. (The Hideout)
In addition to his performances, Todd will assist in the judging aspects of the Contest, and it's a task he takes to heart. "This is Texas," he reminds us. "We do things in a big way here, and we are serious about our music and our Bar-B-Que."
As a thank you to all of his rodeo-going fans, Todd is offering a free download ( now through March 6 ) of "Cowboy Legacy," a song he wrote and recorded in tribute to the late Chris LeDoux at www.ToddFritsch.com.
A working cowboy, Fritsch juggles his successful music career while taking care of his share of work on the family's ranch in Fayetteville, Texas. The 28-year old has already released two well-received albums (TODD FRITSCH and SAWDUST), and charted several hit singles (What's Wrong With Me, Small Town Radio, I Don't Live Here Anymore, I Got Mexico, and a duet with Texas legend, Gary P. Nunn, Every Honky Tonkin' Hero (Has His Day). He's played honky tonks, festivals and fairs throughout the Southwest and in Europe, appeared on radio and television (GAC-TV, Good Day Dallas, Great Day Houston) and in the feature film, PALO PINTO GOLD, and graced the pages of Country Weekly, Best In Texas, Open Range and Texas Music magazines. Over the past few months, Todd's been working in the studio on his next album.
Fans can also learn more about Todd online at http://www.MySpace.com/ToddFritsch and www.Facebook.com/ToddFritsch.
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Mark Wayne Glasmire Is "Who's New" in Country Weekly
Nashville, TN (January 11, 2010) - Mark Wayne Glasmire kicks off the new year with a full-page Who's New feature in Country Weekly magazine's January 18 issue, on stands today. Glasmire supported his debut country radio single, "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright," with a Fall radio tour, television and talk radio appearances, and engaging live performances for fans from Pennsylvania to Texas.
The Who's New profile (Glasmire's second magazine appearance) shares the story of Mark's Bethlehem, Pennsylvania raising and his unusual career path. His upcoming CD, LIFE GOES ON, will issue nationally this Spring, and Mark continues with radio station visits in support of his music.
FANS can purchase Mark's music online at iTunes, CDBaby and www.markwayneglasmire.com.
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"3 Star Texas BBQ Party" Takes Tasty Mix Of Country To European Fans
Houstonians Susan Hickman, Liz Talley & Jody Booth On Tour March 5 - 15
Nashville, TN (January 22, 2010) -- Houstonians and country entertainers Susan Hickman, Liz Talley and Jody Booth have partnered for a "3 Star Texas BBQ Party" tour. The three solo artists will perform for European country music fans, March 5 -15, at a variety of intimate venues and at the prestigious Country Music Messe in Berlin.
SUSAN HICKMAN's music is a blend of rocking, uplifting country that's drawing comparisons to Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Allison Moorer. Susan's live shows are energetic, and she's shared the stage with Tracy Byrd, Jo Dee Messina, The Lost Trailers and Phil Vassar. She's released five European singles, including her recent Top 5 international hit, "Sunday Paper." Her current single, a re-make of the Allman Brothers' classic, "Whipping Post," showcases the bluesy side of this sultry-voiced singer. The track is from her CD, SUSAN HICKMAN, just released internationally in December.(www.susanhickman.com)
LIZ TALLEY, already a European favorite,takes listeners back to the glory days of the Texas Dancehall when twin fiddles and steel guitars ruled the night. A drummer since the age of 14, Liz has kept the beat for Tommy Cash, Wanda Jackson, Tony Booth and Barbara Fairchild. As a soloist, Liz Has opened for Mel Tillis, Eddy Raven, Gene Watson and George Jones. Her current single is the bouncy, tongue-in-cheek "Johnny Getting Out of Jail Barbeque" from her most-recent CD, MORE THAN SATISFIED. (www.liztalleymusic.com)
JODY BOOTH is creating a stir, not just in his native Texas, but in Nashville as Jody Booth bxw (credit Melanie Hall)well. His current single, "Gold Digger," is a country-as-dirt, two-steppin' tribute to "high-maintenance women - and the poor fools who love 'em." His upcoming CD, HEAVEN AND HELL, is a 12-track tour-de-force offering up the soul-baring truths of Kristofferson paired with vocal abilities reminiscent of Haggard or Jones. He humbly admits to opening for Willie Nelson, Tracy Lawrence, Jack Ingram and Roger Creager. (www.jodybooth.com)
The "3 Star Texas BBQ Party" schedule:
SWITZERLAND
DATES: March 5, 6, 7, 8
VENUE: Jolly Jamper in BULACH / acoustic shows @ 20.00 each night
BELGIUM and/or HOLLAND
DATES: March 9, 10, 11 (TBA; check artists' websites for up-to-the-minute details)
GERMANY
VENUE: 15th Annual Country Music Messe, BERLIN (March 12, 13, 14)
SHOWS: March 13, Stars &Stripes Stage (Full Band) @14.30-16.00
March 14, Bluebird Café Stage (acoustic) @14.45 - 16.15
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