Update: July 25, 2000
Eric Todd (left). Pictured on the right: (top row) W.S. Holland, Bob Moore, Eric Todd, R.G. Darnell. Below: Bob Timmers, Morgan Graham and engineer Kurt Storey.
Rockabilly Hall of Fame Super Session
NASHVILLE (July 26, 2000) - How word got out about the 'hush-hush' power packed session yesterday is anybodies guess. But, the recording session yesterday at Burns Station Sound Studio was overflowing with visitors curious to catch a sneek preview of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame records next big release.Rockabilly Hall of Fame records owner, Bob Timmers, brought in some heavy hitters for it's most extravagant endeavor to date. Ledgendary Nashville session man Bob Moore's upright bass commanded a rock-solid bottom while W.S. Holland, who was 30 years the drummer for Johnny Cash, hammered out the snapping back beat. These guys are renouned music industry work horses who can sure nuff rare back and run! They've appeared individually on almost countless rockabilly classics with artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Carroll, Johnny Burnette, Warren Smith, Charlene Arthur, Janis Martin, Wanda Jackson, Arlie Duff, Roy Hall, and of course Carl Perkins. It was W. S Holland who appeared as drummer on Carl Perkins original "Boppin the Blues" at Sun Records in Memphis in 1956.
Which kind of made this session like old home night as Stan Perkins, son of world famous Carl Perkins, came up from Jackson Tennessee to lay down a soulful tribute that only he could deliver. Stan Perkins' authentic vocals were highlighted by his own sizzling guitar riffs as he ripped through his father's rockabilly classic, "Boppin' The Blues" Wait till you hear this one, folks. Stan was born to rock.
Mr. Timmers also brought in some sensational new young talent who will have their first international exposure with this upcoming record release.
They don't come walking in the door like this everyday. What an amazing find is Rockabilly Hall of Fame records new 18 year old performer, R.G. Darnell. No amount of training could serve to develop the beautiful voice that this young girl posesses a natural gift that Her voice is laced with the rich Alabama accent bestowed upon her by her homeland. Her tone pure and true as a bell. Her powerful quality can deliver the words of a song with such awesome force that it will run straight through you. She is mezmerizing.
Eric Todd, the rockin' fair haired boy out of Daytona Beach, Florida, was next up. Wait till you hear Eric's seductive version of "Endless Sleep." Every musician on the session was focused as if in a trance caught up in the dreamy feeling of the song which they so brilliantly captured. Even Grammy nominated engineer Kurt Storey and studio owner, Gordon Stinson, paused in silence as the magic unfolded. And, as the echo of Eric's voice faded.... and the "cut" was announced... a giant "Yee Haw" let loose from everyone in recognition of having been witness to an historic moment. When you hear it, you will definately agree.
Surprise. Surprise. The 'fit as a fiddle' Miss Morgan Graham's chance appearance at the session worked out well for everyone. Miracles do happen! Although she has years of experience singing, performing and acting from the age of three, she wasn't expecting to put her skills to work that day. She was just casually visiting sitting around looking like her ususal, charming, perky, sexy, self when Mr. Timmers asked if she would consider singing, songwriter, Paul Duncan's hot little cha cha flavored number, "No Other Sweetheart." Morgan jumped right up to the microphone, quickly learned the lyrics and knocked out a remarkably clean, crisp, professional vocal in no time. Hey, the voice of experience shines through! Nice work Morgan.
More news on the CD that will spring out of this session will be posted here soon.
-Kittra Moore
Update: June 24, 2000
Since the release of my debut album "Shadow of A Doubt" in March of 1999 we've been busy, busy, busy!!! Thanks to our GREAT fans and friends here in central Florida, our first single "Steady As She Goes", made #71 in the top 500 most requested songs for the year 1999 on WGNE 98Frog here in Daytona Beach, We've also been getting airplay "Down Under" thanks to Mr. George Peden in Melbourne, Austrailia. He's been spinning our disc on his radio show "Stone Cold Country" on Stereo 972 and also on his show "No Ballroom Needed". George was also kind enough to do a feature article on the album in the newspaper "Your Gazette" and on his website "The Country Quill" at www.geocities.com/countryquill/Eric_Todd/eric_todd.html Thanks George!!In June and July of 1999 we were asked to open shows for Chad Brock and Andy Griggs....what a treat! Both of these guys are super people, very friendly, and made us feel right at home.
Since the beginning of 2000 we've been performing at municipal events like the Port Orange summer concert series in April and the annual "Downtown Daytona" street festival in May.
We're currently working on our next album, (i.e. looking for material and working out the financing, etc.) so wish us luck and stay tuned. Lords willing it should be released within the next 6-9 months.
AND ... Last but certainly not least ...
In our spare time we're also the house band at Billy Bob's on Fri. and Sat. Billy Bob's is located at 2801 S. Ridgewood Ave here in Daytona. COME SEE US!!
In case you missed it, the album debut concerts at the Neon Moon (here in Daytona) on May 14 & 15 went extremely well. We performed there again this past Weekend (5/21-22). We're going to be appearing at various venues in and around Volusha County so Check out the TOUR SECTION soon and come see us!!
We performed at the "Party in the Park" (a benefit for Easter Seals) on May 22nd and the response was great! Thanks to the folks at Easter Seals for allowing us to be a part of something wonderful!! Here's 2 GREAT shots from a recent show
My thanks also to "Bonnie". She's the lady that ended up purchasing the jacket I donated to the "Easter Seals auction" at Billy Bobs.
Thanks A Bunch!!
Had a great time in Birmingham at Mayfest this past weekend.
In Hamilton, AL at WERH I did an on air interview that went great.
They are playing both "Love Will" and "Steady.." there in Alabama.
How cool!!
Well as you heard last week 98frog put "Love Will" on Jump it or Dump it once again THANKS TO YOU we had great response and it went on rotation along with "Steady"
THANK YOU, THANKS SO MUCH TO YOU AND FROG!!
Ifeel truly BLESSED by both 98Frog and YOU.
Here we go ----
This weekend is it May 14 & 15 (Friday and Saturday)
Please come out and bring as many friends as you can - We want to blow this weekend wide open at the "Neon Moon"- We go on stage at 10pm and won't stop partying until they close the doors - both nights.
We'll have CD's and T-shirts for sale - free admission and lot's more.....
Believe me we'll have what it takes for an awesome weekend!!!
ALL I NEED IS YOU!!! and we'll party all night at the Neon Moon this Friday and Saturday May 14 & 15
Be listening to 98FROG for more...............
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART each an everyone in the Daytona Beach area that called or emailed 98Frog and voted to "JUMP," "Steady As She Goes". Please KEEP CALLIN' and E-MAILIN' the requests in for us.May 14th & 15th, (Fri. & Sat) at the NEON MOON (2400 S. Ridgewood Ave., S. Daytona in the Sunshine Park Mall) we'll be throwin' a HUGE, BLOWOUT BASH for my first album "Shadow of a Doubt. "Check back here in a couple of days and I'll have more of the "scoop" on that, but without a Shadow of a Doubt it'll be a couple of memorable nights so……… CHECK BACK SOON!
The WGNE 98frog web address is www.98frog.com and the local request line is 904-239-9840.
KEEP'EM COMIN' and GOD BLESS
Eric Todd
©2000 Eric Todd
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