Artists We've Promoted to Americana Radio | Shut Eye Records & Agency

	Jay Farrar "Jay sired the alt-country movement with Uncle Tupelo. Since the band's demise, his former partner, Jeff Tweedy, has fluttered from rock pastiche to off-the-peg post-rock in Wilco, while Uncle Tupelo's inheritor, Ryan Adams, mixes up a baby-food version of Americana so delicious, even Elton John enjoys it. Farrar, by contrast, is incapable of being anything other than himself: darkly introspective, uncommunicative to the point of insolence. Yet his apparent obtuseness masks a determined drive towards purity. Farrar's second solo album slashes the dense country-rock of Uncle Tupelo and his subsequent band, Son Volt, to dinosaur bones of perfectly interlocking chord progressions, rainbow steel-guitar shapes, snatches of indistinct instrumentals and wood-smoked vocals." - SUNDAY TIMES, UNITED KINGDOM, July 2003 Farrar's haunting track, "No Rolling Back" from Terrior Blues was promoted to Americana radio, and appears on Volume Two of Shut Eye's This is Alt. Country series of discs.

	BR549 After ten turbulent years of critical acclaim, multiple GRAMMY nominations, relentless touring, and personnel shifts that might have beaten down most acts, one group has survived to deliver their most surprising move of all: With their new Dualtone Records album Dog Days, BR549 stands tall as the hardest-rocking – and hardest-working–here-to-stay band in Country today. The single from Dog Days (Dualtone), "After the Hurricane" was introduced to Americana radio on Shut Eye's The United State of Americana, Volume Four ironically just a few short weeks following the Katrina hurricane disaster on the Gulf Coast. The album hit #1 on the Americana radio chart.

	Bobby Bare In the fifties after many failed attempts to sell his songs, Bobby Bare finally was signed to Capitol Records and recorded a few rock and roll songs without much chart success. Just before he was drafted into the Army, he wrote a song called “The All American Boy” and did a demo for his friend, Bill Parsons, to learn and record it. Instead of using the version Bill Parsons did later, the record company, Fraternity Records, decided to use the original demo done by Bobby Bare. The record reached number 2 on the Billboard Top 100, but it was wrongly credited to Bill Parsons. His real big break came when RCA boss and guitarist Chet Atkins signed him to the RCA label. Bobby Bare also is the first to be given full control of his work and thus the very first Outlaw. In addition, Bobby Bare is credited for introducing Waylon Jennings to RCA. He is also one of the first to record from many well-known songwriters such as Jack Clement, Harlan Howard, Billy Joe Shaver, Mickey Newbury, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. Recently, he has recorded a new album after over 20 years called The Moon Was Blue, available from Dualtone Records which was produced by his son, Bobby Bare, Jr. "Are You Sincere" from The Moon Was Blue was promoted to Americana radio, and is featured on the Shut Eye release, The United State of Americana, Volume Four.

	Rich Robinson Rich Robinson's talents are already familiar to the millions of fans who've embraced his work as guitarist/songwriter/co-founder of the Black Crowes. But his debut solo effort Paper is a potent musical statement that's likely to come as a pleasant surprise to even his most ardent admirers. The self-produced album - on the artist's own Key Hole label - finds Robinson singing lead and playing most of the instruments on 14 original compositions that reveal the young veteran to be both a distinctive, eloquent lyricist and an engaging, expressive singer. While rockers like "Know Me," "Enemy" and "Yesterday I Saw You" embody the ballsy, rootsy crunch that put Robinson's former band on the map, Paper also encompasses a more thoughtful, introspective side, as well as an unmistakably adventurous sonic vision that manifests itself in the acoustic, orchestral and psychedelic textures of such tunes as "Veil," "When You Will," "Falling Away" and most notably "Forgiven Song", which appears on the 2004 Shut Eye Records release, The United State of Americana, Volume One was promoted to Americana radio by Shut Eye Records & Agency.

	The Greencards They took Best New Band at the Austin Music Awards in 2004. The Houston Chronicle ranked their live show among the city's top five nights of music of the year. The Greencards landed a deal with Dualtone in 2005 and released Weather and Water to great acclaim. Dylan and Nelson tapped them to open their now-famous U.S. tour of minor league baseball parks in the summer of 2005, 30 dates in all. Their video for the song "Time" became one of the most played on GAC and CMT's Americana shows. They were nominated for New/Emerging Artist of the Year at the Americana Awards in 2004 and then won that prize in the fall of 2006. The Greencards' song "Time" was introduced to Americana radio on Shut Eye's The United State of Americana, Volume Three.

	Clay McClinton Singer/songwriter/guitarist Clay McClinton’s musical sound is woven together with rawhide and hemp, barbwire and willow reed. It’s that eclectic sound born in Texas where honky tonk, Delta blues and soulful rock meld seamlessly. Clay’s music introduces “alternative country” to “contemporary blues,” and the two genres become fast friends. His new CD, Son of a Gun, boasts plenty of gutsy, gritty lyrics laid on a strong musical bed. “The Man I Wanna Be,” is an inward-looking, country conversational tune with a haunting melody. Clay moves from there to the Texas romp of “Worn Down To The Bone,” and the two-stepping lost-love tune, “Missing You,” which is one of two songs on the album that he co-wrote with his dad, Delbert McClinton. Delbert provides backup vocals on “Missing You” and also co-wrote “Howlin’ at the Moon.” From Fort Worth to Austin to Flagstaff to Nashville, with a sojourn to Europe in between, Clay’s journey has clicked along a single track — one designed to expand and develop his musical career. Son of a Gun takes another step along his path, further developing Clay’s studio experience and providing more original material for his band to perform on the road. McClinton's track "If We Don't Work Together" appears on The United State of Americana, Volume Six.

	Webb Wilder Webb Wilder is a man with a credo: "Work hard, rock hard, sleep hard, eat hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em." "The Last Of The Full Grown Men," Wilder is large enough for the big screen, hip enough to star in cult classic B movies, and tough enough to maintain a devoted worldwide fan base through a relentless never ending tour schedule. Of late, Wilder has collaborated with Landslide Records, to re-release an expanded version of his legendary It Came From Nashville album, as well as producing an album of all-new material entitled About Time. But no one describes Webb quite as well as the man himself. He claims to be "the last of the full-grown men" and "the last of the boarding house people; a four eyed guy who doesn't smile a lot, but who doesn't frown much either; an outsider who feels as though he's on the wrong side of the tracks no matter where he's at; and a guy who knows every thrift shop and plate lunch joint in town." As for his band Wilder says, "We play both kinds of music, Rock and Roll." Wilder's version of the RS Field track "You Might Be Lonely for a Reason" appears on The United State of Americana, Volume Six courtesy of Landslide Records.

	Kaki King Kaki King has never been one for convention. Her third album, ...Until We Felt Red, is certainly no exception. Over the last few years, she has enjoyed well-earned status as the zeit-girl of instrumental acoustic guitar; a gifted young ingénue closing rank on the canonized heroes of the genre. Now, with ...Until We Felt Red, she bests herself and defies expectation again. Like the yarn that graces the album's cover, she's spun her material out: the haunting melodies are sadder, the lush orchestrations are fuller, and the sharper edges can cut. Much of this can be attributed to the new sonic palate Kaki brings to the platter: distorted pedal steel, pounding drums, ethereal trumpet, dots, loops, bleeps and other indefinable percussion sounds, and her own voice, disarmingly winsome and sweet for a woman with as much attitude as King. Kaki made a great call in seeking out producer John McEntire (Tortoise, Stereolab, Sea & Cake), who engineered and produced the album at his Soma Studios in Chicago. McEntire called forth some of the sweeter bursts of ear candy on the disc, and the creative chemistry between the two is apparent. Kaki's instrmental track, "Carmine Street" is featured on Shut Eye's Buzzlighter #8: Natural Anthems.

	Mark Collie Mark Collie is a man of many talents – recording artist, record producer, songwriter, actor, filmmaker, racecar driver and philanthropist. Born and raised in Waynesboro, Tennessee just off the Hardin County line, Collie developed his passion for writing songs and performing. His fervor eventually led him to Nashville where his blues-based rockabilly sound exploded onto the national country music scene in 1991. “I've come a long way from where I started” he says with a laugh, “but there's a long stretch of road ahead.” Collie found success with his fresh and unique style of music. His four MCA albums Hardin County Line, Born and Raised in Black and White, Mark Collie, and Unleashed spawned hit after hit including "Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying" and "Born To Love You". He later united with longtime friend and renowned record producer James Stroud to record and co-produce his Giant Records debut, Tennessee Plates. In total, Mark earned ten top 20 singles, five top 10 singles and two top 5 singles. In addition to penning the majority of songs on his albums, Mark's tunes have been recorded by many of country's top hitmakers, including Garth Brooks , Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Randy Travis, Collin Raye, Billy Ray Cyrus and Alabama . Playboy Magazine praised George Jones' single, "Ain't Love A Lot Like That" written by Collie, stating it “is the most effective up-tempo honky-tonk Jones has done since the late Sixties.”

	Connor Christian and Southern Gothic Equal parts modern troubadour, back road poet and outlaw rocker, Connor Christian creates gritty, soulful songs of experience revealing solace in hardship, hope in destitution, and a dustbowl sensibility. His powerful music draws on influences ranging from Ryan Adams, G. Love, and Counting Crows to The Band and Tumbleweed Connection-era Elton John and makes a heartfelt statement found at the crossroads of Roots Rock and Americana. Their new album 90 Proof Lullabies (Vintage Earth Music) is currently spinning at Americana radio.

	Blue Mother Tupelo Blue Mother Tupelo is the husband and wife team of Ricky Davis (acoustic & electric guitars, dobro, vocals) and Micol Davis (piano, tambourine, vocals) who began performing together as a duo in 1995. Soon thereafter various musician friends including: drummers, bassists, harmonica players, fiddle players, saxophonists, keyboardists and auxiliary percussionists would sit in. BMT performs live in the original Davis duo format, as a trio with the addition of drums or bass, or as a 4-piece combo with bass & drums. Unique, passionate, inspired and unaffected by musical genres, Blue Mother Tupelo is pure heart and soul. "It's Tupelo, honey ... the songs blend N'Awlins-style blues with spare Appalachian acoustic grit, Southern rock grooves, '60s flower-power dreaminess and rootsy rock. Ricky plays a mean dobro, peeling off riffs as slick and juicy as a ripe peach, and Micol's voice is both steely and delicate, like a cross between Bonnie Raitt & Emmylou Harris ..." - The Tallahassee Democrat

	Hoots & Hellmouth Around the turn of the year twenty-aught-5, forces were conspiring in the college town of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Some say these forces were disembodied spirits migrating toward a spiritual nexus. Others say the holy ghosts of the almighty himself had descended upon the town seeking out willing vessels. Hard to tell for sure. Equipped with recordings and an ever-growing sense of purpose, Hoots & Hellmouth are poised to expand their influence. The spirit of the music inside and among these willing vessels propels them. Their ambition goes beyond the region beyond the country, really. This is music for the masses. All of them. Hoots & Hellmouth appear on Shut Eye's The United State of Americana, Volume Four with a live version of their track "I'm Close, I'm Come Undone".

	Jeff Black Washed in the spirit and built on simple truths, his songs are ambitious epics performed with brawny passion. Irony does not reside here; Black's compositions ring out with the unadorned truth of the moment they were conceived. His desire to dig deeper, to cut to the marrow is another hallmark of Black's writing. He knows the world is painted in more subtle shades than black and white, so he writes songs with a painter's eye for nuance and detail. His songs delve into complex emotional territory with a simplicity that often belies the craft that goes into their making. Shut Eye introduced the track "Hollow of Your Hand" (from the 2005 Tin Lily release on Dualtone) to Americana radio via the The United State of Americana, Volume Three radio compilation in 2005.

	Wrinkle Neck Mules "The band hails from Richmond, Virginia, where I guarantee there’s a healthy fan-base of college students. At live shows, I imagine the English majors who are Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy completists sip their Amstels while scoffing at the Bud Light frat-boy set, who sing along too loudly. That broad appeal is the genius of this genre, and this band. While there’s no shortage of bands doing what the Wrinkle Neck Mules are doing, there is enough lyrical and compositional strength on Pull the Brake to distinguish it from its twangy peers. There are parallel—and yet seemingly opposing—forces at work here: lyrics that paint dark portraits of loss and departure and instrumentation that is largely bright-colored and singable. Opener 'Liza' might first be mistaken for a love song, reminiscent of R.E.M.’s 'The One I Love'. But, upon closer listen, those lines of 'Oh Liza, Oh Liza, you’re mine…' emerge not from love, but possession—it seems our narrator has killed Liza’s father and brother, has kidnapped her, and is now en route to a mineshaft. In the chorus of 'Dust of Saturday', lyrics 'You go your way / And I’ll go mine' are sung in a harmonious manner despite stating the opposite. Though 'Okechobee' doesn’t exactly roll off of the tongue, this bluegrass-tinged song is surprisingly catchy. Its subject? A man reminiscing about his home—a home which he has chosen over a woman. It is this sort of mystery and texture that make these songs worth revisiting." - PopMatters

	Angie Stevens For a singer/songwriter to stand out from the pack, they have to possess the kind of magical voice that makes a listener stop in their tracks and pay attention. Denver's Angie Stevens has that kind of voice, and it's drenched in Americana akin to Patty Griffin or EmmyLou Harris. Stevens also has the songwriting chops to match, as Westword Magazine recently named her Denver's Best Singer/Songwriter. Now Stevens is back with her third and most powerful album to date, Queen of This Mess on Boss Koala Records and produced by Malcolm Burn (Midnight Oil, Patti Smith). Stevens, whose music combines elements of alt-country, indie rock, contemporary folk and pop, has gained national attention over the last few years following the releases of her first two albums, I'm Okay (2005) and Stand Up Girl (2006). She's gained attention with a captivating live show that matches or exceeds the intensity on both albums. Her song, "Sleepwalking," was featured on HBO's "Big Love" and her video for "Stand Up Girl" was a pick of the week on CMT's Top 20 Video Countdown. Stevens has toured as well, playing venues from Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles to Coors Field in Denver and other venues in 21 states; and has showcased at SXSW, Sundance Film Festival and at the inaugural Monolith Festival at Red Rocks in 2007. Stevens is sponsored by Coors Beer and Cowgirlpunk Clothing.

	The Whipsaws Cold winter nights and long summer days are not a secret in Alaska, but rather an accepted reality to those who call it home. The Whipsaws are among those residents of the far North who embrace this natural, bipolar cycle. Relentlessly touring for the past five years, they have played smoke-filled saloons and have packed concert halls and theaters, successfully captivating a broad and dedicated fan base with a style that is truly Alaskan. The Whipsaws recorded their critically-acclaimed release 60 Watt Avenue with guest appearance by Tim Easton (New West Records). Mixed by renowned engineer/producer John Agnello (Son Volt, The Hold Steady, Sonic Youth), 60 Watt Avenue brings The Whipsaws to a whole new level with its straight-from-the-gut lyrics, and big, driving sound. The album hit great success at Americana radio early 2008.

	Heather Knox Dallas, TX will never be the same. At least not after Heather Knox releases her new El Dorado album. It's been four years since her last release, and she's been working feverishly on her latest. She brings together a sweet mix of country, Texas rock and indie folk... and with tracks like Slow Burn and the title track, Knox will change the face of Texas music with her Lone Star wit and a brilliant songwriting. Her album El Dorado is currently spinning on Americana radio.

	Cyndi Harvell "While I’m compelled to compare Cyndi to her contemporary colleagues such as Tori Amos, Michelle Branch, Paramore, or even Katy Perry, it would be more accurate to reference her with Joni Mitchell – a singer with extraordinary depth and songwriting talent that has lasted for decades. Cyndi has the potential to be that kind of artist." - Gian Fiero, The Muse's Muse Her new album The Night Turned to Song (Fortune Records) is currently spinning at Americana radio.

	Hayshaker Hailing from Waycross, GA - the same howetown as Americana music luminary Gram Parsons, Hayshaker has developed a sound rich in Southeastern traditions, juxtaposed with varied punk and rock influences; from Southern Culture on the Skids to The Knitters (featuring the male/female dual vocal onslaught of X bandmates John Doe and Exene Cervenka) to classic Georgia acts Drivin' n' Cryin' and R.E.M. Husband/wife team CC & Laurie Rider sing drinking songs, torch songs and rock songs. All of their influences, experiences and songwriting are on display on "Black Holiday in Mexico City".

	James Dunn For his new recording project, The Long Ride Home, Dunn headed to Nashville's TrueTone Recording Studio. “...I knew I wanted to try and take my sound and songs to another level. I was fortunate to connect with some great musicians and producers who were genuinely excited about what I was trying to do with this new project. They had the same passion and vision and ideas about the musical ‘treatment’ to give the new tunes and I think there is really a little bit of something for everyone in regards to musical tastes among the 11 songs on this record.” Since his first recording release, Dunn’s music has been featured on CMT with two of songs, “Lonely American Dream” and “The Oak Tree”, and was named by CMT as one of America’s Top Unsigned Americana Artists. The Long Ride home is currently spinning on Americana radio.

	Desert Radio Desert Radio is the soundtrack of a road trip to Juarez in a '68 Dodge with Merle Haggard, the Heartbreakers and The Who all playing on the mix tape stuck in the dashboard deck. A few years ago, old friends Scott (formerly of Evil Roy Slade) and Patrick (formerly of Powerman 5000) were looking for an excuse to hang out, drink some beer and write some country-flavoured rock and roll songs. One thing led to another and they soon found themselves recording tracks for an album and playing some shows. After posting the song "February Day" from their debut album on the independent music website "garageband.com", they found that their track topped that site's "Americana" and "Rock" charts. "February Day" eventually became the number one ranked "Americana" song in the history of garageband.com. This led to the track being featured on Budweiser.com, which in turn led to NASCAR using the track in a Speed Channel video tribute to Dale Earnhardt Sr. broadcast throughout North America on the eve of the Daytona 500.

	The Rowdy Prairie Dogs The Rowdy Prairie Dogs is the Americana/Country Rock band of award winning singer/songwriter Robert J. Over the last 10 months RJ has put together this debut Cd of irreverent country rockers and touching ballads about life and love and the pursuit of happiness. Robert J. grew up literally "riding the rails," following the career of his father, an executive with the Canadian National Railroad. He didn't live in all the cities but experienced life in a few.....like Duluth, Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago, Buffalo, Vancouver, Toronto, and Detroit. During college, he worked as a "gandy dancer" on the railroad while finishing up his education at night school, and on the weekends he played in bands. When Robert graduated, he quit his railroad job, jumped in the "band van" and migrated to Colorado with a band called Happy Trails, living the spirit of a wanderer.

	Cole Mitchell and the Curs They say that even cowboys get the blues and after just a cursory listen of 'Nobody's Blues', the new release by local cowpunk Cole Mitchell and his band the Curs, it is obvious that his musical roots run deep. "I was born in Billy the Kid country and raised in Hank Williams country," Mitchell states in his current biography. Filled with road weary tales of whiskey-soaked nights, deals gone bad, clocking time in a slaughterhouse and "breathing fire and drinking gasoline," Mitchell's songs sweat bullets of genuine American tears laced with grit and asphalt. It's a quality that can only come from experiencing long days of work, wild nights of play and occasional, but all too inevitable, bouts of heartbreak. Some call it "piss and vinegar," which is a much more colorful description than Americana. Either way, 'Nobody's Blues' should be on everyone's playlist. -Kevin Hopper, iQ (May 15th, 2008)

	Brendon James Wright and the Wrongs Brendon James Wright wears a Bass Pro Shop hat, an easy, swaggering smile and a scrappy beard. From the looks of it, he's just parked his lawnmower, downed a bottle of beer, and mopped his mouth with the back of his hand. But Wright's demo album, culled largely from a recent recording of his stint on WDVX's Blue Plate Special, attests to his clout as both a singer and a songwriter. His scratchy, sore-throat songs about coal miners, hard-luck prisoners and lovers separated by many miles are twangy and heartfelt. Wright mixes his Southern roots with his esteem for artists like Ryan Adams and Bob Dylan. A kind and authentic guy, most every night Wright lets some beer-bereaved fellow take his spot on stage while he's on break. And he doesn't hesitate to ditch his meatier songs for a number about making snow angels with his sister.

	Mark Huff Not everyone can leave Las Vegas full of riches, but award-winning songwriter Mark Huff did and brought them to Nashville. Huff settled in Nashville in 2003. He formed a friendship with Allison Moorer who was taken with Mark’s writing, and soon became her opening act on three US tours. After hearing his music night after night, Moorer’s guitar player, Adam Landry, offered to produce a new cd for Huff. Following the release of Skeleton Faith in 1998 and Clean in 2001, Huff has just released his latest offering, Gravity. Producer Landry was able to assemble a band of some of the best talent in Nashville. Gravity features Adam Landry (The Sways and Allison Moorer) guitar, bass and keyboards; Bucky Baxter (Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and Steve Earle) guitar; Dan Baird (The Georgia Satellites) bass and guitar; Brad Pemberton (Ryan Adams) drums; and Moorer background vocals.

	The Roseline Americana meets rock n' roll accompanied by intricate piano and lush pedal steel harmonies. These songs feature introspective and thoughtful lyrics with sophisticated yet accessible song arrangements... imagine a sultry mix of The Shins and The Jayhawks. Their album Lust for Luster debuted at #2 on the EuroAmericana Radio chart on the month of August 2008.

	Mike McGuire Louisville, Kentucky is home to some of the most inventive minds and inspired artists from the past two centuries. The city of Louisville has produced such luminaries as Thomas Edison, comedian Foster Brooks, “gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson, actor/pop icon Johnny Depp, bluesman WC Handy, and bluegrass legend Bill Monroe. Mike McGuire, another illustrious Louisvillian channels the spirit of each of his innovative indigenous brethren with his own Kentucky hallmark called Roses for the Moon. McGuire introduces us to his hometown through the leadoff track -- a simple history and geography lesson called “Western Kentucky Parkway”. It’s quintessential McGuire. It captures his tongue-and-cheek sensibility and bourbon Kentucky wit as he takes us on a drive around the Bluegrass State.

	Roy Davis and the Dregs Roy Davis & The Dregs exist in a space where the only thing that matters is the sound of guitars and drums hitting microphones, and an aching voice reminding you to feel anything at all. The sound is Americana Pop-Rock at it's best, shifting easily from country shuffles to heartbreaking ballads to two-step sing-a-longs. Think Bruce Springsteen's flair for simple poetry meets Neil Young & Crazy Horse after 3 beers. Add the modern touch of the Jayhawks' vocal harmonies, subtract any lyrics about churning butter or shotgun weddings and you've begun to get the picture. Though just 22 years old, Roy has shared the stage with internationally acclaimed acts Josh Ritter and Say ZuZu, and his debut album has received nods of approval from the music community and sales from across the globe. The latest album is called Deadweight, and it is a shining example of the new breed of Alt-Country bands.

	Bean Pickers Union Boston-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Chuck Melchin gathered up a few of his favorite players from Boston and around New England and over the course of a year, and in four different studios, recorded ten original songs that recall the music of classic alt.country / Americana bands like the Jayhawks, Steve Earle and Uncle Tupelo. Ranging from full band rockers to stark acoustic ballads, these songs tell stories of loss, tragedy, human failure and redemption.

	Buick Audra Buick Audra is a singer and songwriter living between Brooklyn and Nashville. Her musical path has led her through everything from hard rock to country. Raised by songwriters in Miami, she was exposed to some of the greats at a very young age. Her mother made it a point to take her to live performances whenever possible, which included Blondie, Rickie Lee Jones, Christopher Cross, The Pretenders, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Bob Dylan.

	Mark Brine Mark Brine’s music is derivative of a wide range of styles and influences. On a single album, a listener might come across traditional country, folk, gospel, acoustic blues or even a hint of rock music. Today’s music industry is very segmented and people are quick to place labels on artists and their music. Some might call Brine’s music traditional country, but when asked about that label he said, "My music is broad, but if they want to put me under a tent for their purposes, that’s fine with me."