2008 « The Chattanooga Market

On Stage 11/16 – Brooke Annibale

Her senior year in high school she took on the large task of completing a full-length album. The 10-track album, “Memories in Melody” was recorded at AAM Studios in Pittsburgh. The album was produced by Greg Sparks and released in the spring of 2005. She just finished a new album that she recorded with 3-time Grammy winning engineer/producer Jay Dudt. The new album, entitled “The In Between,” was released on March 22, 2008. The CD release show was held at the Rhythm House Cafe in Pittsburgh and well over 200 were in attendance.
Now 20 years old, Brooke is currently a Junior at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee where she is majoring in Music Business. She has performed in 4 college showcases since arriving at the musically competitive University. Brooke won a both a writer’s showcase and the Other Showcase in the spring of 2007. This allowed her to perform in the Best of the Best showcase in April of 2007. She recorded and released a 4 song EP entitled “The Nashville EP,” in the same month. Since moving to Nashville she hopes to expand her knowledge and love of performing in the Music City.

She plans on touring her current release throughout the spring and summer of 2008 as much as possible.

On Stage 11/2 – Steel String Session

Referred to as “Neo-Classical-Grass” and the “Rhythm Section of the River,” Steel String Session is a dynamic group of acoustic multi-instrumentalists from the Ocoee River region of the Blue Ridge Mountains where three state lines and varied musical genres intersect. They make the most out of what they refer to as regional “schyzo-graphy.”

The musicians of Steel String Session are seasoned artists having shared stages with the likes of David Grisman, The Grascals, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Cherryholmes, Del McCoury Band, IIIrd Tyme Out, and Dr. Ralph Stanley. Their music appeals to all metes of the music-appreciation scale and will make you smile with their sneaky musical asides tucked in at the most unexpected moments. They are as comfortable with hard driving acoustic music as they are with jazz, blues and brazilian choro.

Though the core members of Steel String Session met on the river, they honed their music on the terra firma of local honky-tonks and opry houses. Soon they were playing in front of thousands at festivals… and still at honky tonks, just further a-field. The band is intent on creating a stunningly dynamic acoustic sound that includes original music and songs from the rich heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kentucky’s bluegrass pastures, as well as the bright lights of Nashville.

On Stage 11/2 – New Binkley Brothers

“Upon first listen to the New Binkley Brothers, my immediate thought was ‘There is indeed still hope for country music’. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about that canned crap coming out of Nashville nowadays (pop stars in cowboy hats). I’m talking about honest to goodness southern music which incorporates the gritty, shuffling fiddle of the famed North Georgia string bands of the 1920’s, the driving clawhammer banjo and the mountain harmonies that make your hair stand on end. These boys get it right. Hailing from Chattanooga, TN, this old-timey trio know just when to whoop it up, stomp and swerve out a fiddle tune, as well as break it down with old religious standards. In true southern fashion, these gents perfectly toe that line between saints and sinners; get down and get right and are as refreshing as cool corn liquor on a hot summers night.” –Leo Chancy TN Dept of Transformation

On Stage 11/2 – Linda McRae

Linda McRae first gained notoriety during her stint as bassist, accordionist and vocalist with platinum recording artists, roots rockers Spirit of the West, with whom she spent eight years touring, recording and performing internationally.

Since leaving SOTW to resume her solo career, Linda has released three recordings. “FlyingJenny” (Stony Plain 1997) was produced by Colin Linden, and featured a high powered roster of Canadian talent, including members of The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Willie P. Bennett, as well as Richard Bell of The Band, Gurf Morlix and Syd Straw. “Cryin’ Out Loud” (Black Hen 2002) was produced by Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mary Gauthier) and featured her veteran Vancouver band Cheerful Lonesome.

These two widely acclaimed recordings featured Linda’s tuneful Country-Folk. She is now working with Manager James Whitmire of Nashville’s 42 Artist Management and her third recording, “Carve It To The Heart” was released in 2007. This is Linda’s sophomore Black Hen release co-produced by Linda and Marc L’Esperance (Po’ Girl, Ray Condo) and showcases the new sound she continues to develop through her love of clawhammer banjo and her associations and collaborations with fellow songwriters.

Continue reading On Stage 11/2 – Linda McRae

On Stage 10/26 – Wurstbrats Oompah Band

The Wurstbrats Oompah Band is a 20-member ensemble that has played in the Chattanooga area since 1994. They play a variety of listening, dance, and ballroom dance music that includes classic and modern big band, swing, Latin, and waltz tunes.

In the Chattanooga area, the Wurstbrats Oompah Band has earned the respect of accomplished ballroom dancers. However, they are also known for their ability and willingness to customize the musical program to meet the needs and preferences of its audience. Songs are selected and tempos are adjusted in order to accommodate the dancing abilities of those in attendance.

The Wurstbrats have played for listening audiences, as well as for weddings, picnics, military reunions, and charity events.

On Stage 10/19 – Volatile Baby

Volatile Baby is a group of three talented female musicians known for their exquisite harmonies and incredible songs. They are brand new traditional country, sometimes taking on a neo-classical string influence and always delivering an unforgettable performance.

Producer Don Dixon (REM) says, “Volatile Baby sounds like The Carter Family & The Roches decided to team up and record a bunch of newly discovered Gram Parsons songs.”

Volatile Baby is the love child of three semi-southern artists: Gina Stewart, Brenda Gambill and Allison Modafferi. Gina, songwriter, actress and composer for the theatre; Brenda, a songwriter, violinist and percussionist from The Doubting Thomas Band; and theatre director and pianist Allison Modafferi are creating a musical landscape that pushes traditional boundaries and pulls at the listener.

Volatile Baby’s last CD “Traveling Light” was released in May 2006. Guest musicians include Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter Cash, Jim Brock, former drummer for Kathy Mattea, Don Dixon and Wayne Jernigan.

Volatile Baby builds on the grand tradition of female vocal groups while adding their own ingenuity, spirit, instrumental prowess, and joy. Their inimitable chemistry shines through their songs live and in the studio.

On Stage 10/19 – Hudson K

Perhaps it was the definitiveness of genre with which she started her musical endeavor which lead Christina Horn, a.k.a. Hudson K, to her current style of genre-dissolving anti-pop piano rock. Listening to her music, you can’t help but guess that the classical masters trained her technical eyes and ears. But when she first heard the early sounds of Tori Amos, it occurred to her that she had options beyond teaching piano lessons and accompanying the church choir. Certainly she has been compared to Amos by music journalists in her native Knoxville, and she won’t deny the strength of Amos’s influence on her ambition. Still, she has poured her own earthiness into her style and created a sound that is uniquely hers. This sound found a home first behind the vocals of fellow Knoxville native Matt Urmy in the short lived but loved local indie outfit Teleskope.

The dissolution of Teleskope in 2005 left Horn wondering if it were possible for her to front a band, rather than just support one. It didn’t hurt that her life, at the time of the Teleskope’s parting, was whirling in the heartache and despair of the increasingly common quarter life crisis: the kind of tragedies of which beautiful music is so often made. She wrote what she knew and brought it where she could, usually to the once smoky bars in downtown Knoxville, or any other corner where she could fit her keyboard. It was during this time that she ran into old friend Laura Bost in a dark garage at a party; the two had become acquainted years earlier, in music school, while both were learning to perfect and perform the classical music they were, years later, eagerly leaving behind. Unlike Horn, Bost was a vocalist by training, and was working as a sound engineer. Like Horn, Bost was feeling the compulsion to write and sing something different than what her classical training as a vocalist had been.

Continue reading On Stage 10/19 – Hudson K

On Stage 10/19 – Brandon Pruitt

Twenty-five year old Brandon Pruitt hails from Lexington, Oklahoma. He is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and musician. His mentors include such legends as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Keith Whitley, and Hank Williams Sr.
After forming a relationship with Sony Publishing’s Mike Whelan late in 2005, Brandon immediately began work on his freshman album “Red Dirt, Blue Country”. The album has been widely received by fans in the middle Tennessee area, as well as Texas and Oklahoma.
Brandon has enjoyed radio success in central Oklahoma along with many internet radio stations. He became the record holder at 93.3King Country in February of 2007 for most positive call-ins made with the debut of his current single “Oklahoma Way”. The single is presently holding rotation at 93.3FM KKNG (OKC, OK) and 100.1FM KYKC (Ada, OK).
Brandon is currently working with producer/songwriter Lee Miller, who has enjoyed success with songs such as “The Impossible” (recorded by Joe Nichols) and “The World” (recorded by Brad Paisley). Brandon’s day to day life involves creating with some of Nashville’s premiere songwriters, including: Buddy Brock, Michael Heeney, Derrick Ruttan, Clint Daniels and Lynn Hutton. He also plays steady gigs in the Nashville area and has created a very loyal following at many local honky-tonks.
With the dynamic fusion of honky-tonk country, blues and rock, Brandon has forged his own unique sound in today’s music scene. His heartfelt vocals and soul-searching lyrics, have positioned him as the leader in a new revolution of American music.

On Stage 10/12 – Michael Reno Harrell

Michael Reno Harrell is an award winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer, and he’s from the South…the Southern Appalachian Mountains to hone it a bit finer. Four decades of performing have taken him to over forty states and many foreign countries. One could compare Michael’s performances to his granddaddy’s pocket knife, well worn and familiar feeling, but razor sharp and with a point. He gets the job done. His recordings top the Americana Music Association charts year after year and his touring schedule stays full. Michael’s combination of music and storytelling are based in experience, sometimes downright funny, sometimes just plain scary, maybe even with a message worth taking away, but always mesmerizing and entertaining.
Michael has penned hits for Nashville receiving both Gold and Platinum Awards. Michael won First Place in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting contest at Merle Fest in 2002. He has recorded with some of the giants in the acoustic field including pals Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas. His storytelling has been described as, “Andy Griffith with an edge” and “…the Appalachian Mark Twain”. Don’t miss an opportunity to immerse yourself in the Southern Experience. As Michael puts it, “You don’t have to be from the South to be Southern, you just gotta live here… and like it!”

On Stage 10/12 – Hannah Miller

Since writing her first song at age four, Hannah Miller has known exactly what she would be when she grew up. Raised in Dothan, Alabama and educated in the mountains of Asheville, NC, she now calls Columbia, SC, her home.

After her first EP Storms of Summer was released in the spring of 2006, Miller’s reputation as an up and coming singer/songwriter began to solidify, and the doors opened for her to make the trip to Nashville to record with two time Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay). The record boasts an astounding degree of depth and maturity for a freshman LP; on it Dane and Miller have crafted gorgeous sonic landscapes befitting of Miller’s smoky, velveteen vocals. Of the new record Miller says, “I wanted an album that everyone who hears it can find themselves in, and I think we accomplished that. The music is authentic, and listeners immediately identify that.”

Released in January, 2008, the record has already found a wide audience, and is receiving airplay on college and independent radio throughout the Southeast. Miller has also found herself sharing the stage with an impressive cast of characters, including Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, The Whigs, Danielle Howle, Jennifer Daniels, and Katie Herzig. With features in publications such as The State, Southeast Performer, Skirt Magazine, The Dothan Eagle, and the Free Times, Mrs. Miller is off to a great start, and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.