SUZY BOGGUSS: A NEW LABEL, A NEW ALBUM…

Author by Anonymous

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2003







HOUSTON, Texas -- Suzy Bogguss has signed with Compadre Records (distributed by RED, marketed by Emergent) and has completed her first new album in three years, Swing, which will hit the streets on June 17. The album, which is co-produced by Bogguss with Asleep At The Wheel frontman Ray Benson, marks a musical departure for Bogguss with its Western swing and traditional jazz inflections.



In addition to Benson’s instinctive guitar playing, the album features present members of Asleep At The Wheel (Jason Roberts, fiddle; David Sanger, drums) and past members (Floyd Domino, piano; Spencer Starnes, bass and John Mills, sax and clarinet.) The project was recorded at Benson’s Bismeaux Studio in Austin, Texas.



The album showcases Suzy’s flawless vocals on a variety of songs by writers including Duke Ellington ("Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me"), Nat King Cole ("Straighten Up And Fly Right"), and a couple of classics best known from recordings by Billie Holiday and Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks, ("Comes Love" and "Sweetheart" respectively.) The collection also contains two new classics written by Paul Kramer, a veteran of Bogguss’ band, plus a co-write by Kramer and Bogguss, along with five new songs by burgeoning Nashville singer/songwriter, April Barrows. Bogguss became aware of Barrows while recording her much-acclaimed Christmas album in 2000. Session musician David Hungate made the introduction when he learned that Bogguss was gravitating to a swing sound for her next album.



The production partnership with Benson came about as a result of a more unusual story. Bogguss dreamt that she and Asleep At The Wheel took a madcap tour bus ride together on the way to the Grammys. Upon awakening, it became evident to her that she needed to make a record with long-time friend, Benson. She called him and the project became a reality.



Suzy recalls, "I originally envisioned this as a duet album with ‘The Wheel’, but after hearing April’s songs, Ray and I decided that this needed to be a singer’s album."



According to Compadre Records president Brad Turcotte, "Suzy has recorded a beautiful record and it hurts none that she is one of the most talented people that I have ever met."



"I looked around a long time for a label that did things a little differently," says Suzy. "I’m really excited about working with Compadre because of their fresh perspective on the business along with their passion for the music."



ABOUT COMPADRE RECORDS

Houston- and Nashville-based Compadre Records was created to promote roots music. Its artists include Suzy Bogguss, Billy Joe Shaver (whose Compadre album sat atop the Americana Airplay Chart for eight weeks), Townes Van Zandt, Gary P. Nunn, Mike McClure and Billy Ray Reynolds. Compadre’s principals include Brad Turcotte and Logan Rogers.