Simply Six: Dave Gunning

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer.  For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later.  Is there such a defining moment for you? 

 Seeing Stan Rogers and John Allan Cameron live was that moment for me.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites?  

Shawn Colvin, John Haitt, Alison Krauss, The Waterboys, Tim O'Brien, Gordon Lightfoot, Indigo Girls, Mark Knopfler .......

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live? 

There's been a hundred little bursts of light that sort of connect like dots to make me feel like I'm on the right path.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?   How much can music influence current events?  

The world would be far different without music so it seems fair to conclude that it can change the world.  I think that artists, fans and media all play a role in influencing current events and hopefully we can find ways to direct this energy for positive changes.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician?  

Technology has made it more cost effective to record and distribute music as well as spread the word through the various social media sites.  But it has also put many of the retailers of music out of business and made it more socially acceptable to download the music without paying the artists.  Technology is sort of like the serpent eating it's own tail.

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?  

I'd be a pair of Blundstones ready for whatever comes my way.

Press Release

Music Road Records Unveils New Website, Hones Innovative Business Model and Adds To Impressive Roster

Heralds Summer 2010 Releases from Stonehoney and Kevin Welch

Music Road Records, Austin, TX - Music Road Records (MRR) launches a new website at www.musicroadrecords.com with an exciting roster of artists and upcoming releases. With their involvement in the Cherokee Creek Festival and their commitment to representing artists with integrity, MRR has established itself as a trusted resource for great music and hard-working artists.

Musician Jimmy LaFave, recording engineer Fred Remmert and Dallas businessman Kelcy Warren founded Music Road Records in 2007. Realizing that the traditional idea of a record label had changed, the three saw an opportunity to create a more collaborative and healthy partnership between artists and labels. They developed their business model to provide a multi-faceted support system for their artists. They also focus on high-quality projects about which they are passionate, only working with what Warren calls "true artists." The result is a brand with heart, smarts and faith in the superb music they represent.

MRR owns and operates two Texas-based recording facilities: Cedar Creek Recording in Austin and Cherokee Creek Recording in the Texas Hill Country. These studios are utilized by artists on the MRR roster, along with such notable artists as The Dixie Chicks, Shawn Colvin, Reckless Kelly, Ben Kweller and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

As a way to help the community, partner Kelcy Warren founded Cherokee Crossroads, Inc. in 2007 as a nonprofit organization to raise money for children’s charities and local public service organizations by hosting an annual music festival in Cherokee, Texas. The 2010 Cherokee Creek Festival was held on May 14-15 and saw nearly double the attendance from last year, raising over $100,000 to benefit children in Texas and across the country. Featured performers included all of the MRR artists, as well as Paul Thorn and Bob Schneider, Delbert McClinton and Robert Earl Keen.

This summer, MRR is presenting The Cedar Creek Sessions, the debut record from country rock band Stonehoney. Comprised of veteran songwriter/musicians David Phenicie, Nick Randolph, Shawn Davis and Phil Hurley, the group started out as a "songwriters in the round" and quickly became a special blend of country, rock and folk tied together with unbelievable harmonies. Also released this summer is Patch of Blue Sky, the first solo offering in eight years from respected singer-songwriter Kevin Welch as well as Jimmy LaFave’s Favorites 1992-2001, choice songs from Jimmy’s days on Bohemia Beat Records.

These releases and more will be available on MRR's new website, with a one-stop digital store offering all the great music for which MRR is known and other items to cement their brand identity. Completing MRR's current roster are Slaid Cleaves and Sam Baker. “This is not a vanity label,” says LaFave. “We’re talking about real artists. Our guys are on the road, playing house concerts, arenas and clubs. And we want to help them get their music out there.”

Music Road Records has the desire and drive to support their artists on their terms, and the result is a future of fantastic releases. For more information and to purchase merchandise, visitwww.musicroadrecords.com.

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SIMPLY SIX: Maree McRae

Maree McRae is a singer/songwriter from Denver.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you? I started writng the lyrics to radio songs when I was around 6. I had a book with all the tunes I loved written down, all the words. Guess I knew I would be a songwriter if I looked writng lyrics down at such an early age.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites? I am SO busy I don’t have much leisure time right now to listen, mostly in the car running to this show or that. Love Shawn Colvin, Michelle Branch, Patty Griffin.


3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live? Definitely playing for a Race for the Cure show. Because my new album title track, “Urgency” was written after the diagnosis of my son’s immune disease, I feel such a strong connection with my music and survivors.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events? Because music is so personal to each listener and can strike them in ways that are profound, or soften them, or bring awareness through emotion…it’s more than just something to listen to. When each person is moved and changed, it changes things in a broader way in the world, one by one.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician? Technology continues to be astounding. I think it has affected music recording studios with the number of high tech home studios now. I loop some of my rythmn when I play solo, so that has made it easier for me as a solo to have a groove through great technology, which adds variety to my live show.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be? That MUST be a Barbara Walters question! I don’t know! Sneakers for comfortability I guess…

I continue to work towards sharing my music with chronic illness patients and awareness to immune deficiency illnesses…

Buddy Miller

(Buddy Miller on tour with Allison Krauss and Robert Plant)

This week’s voice to hear is Buddy Miller. Buddy calls Nashville home and is an in demand session player and producer as well as a superb songwriter and singer. He also records with his wife Julie. Besides country music Buddy considers himself a Christian singer, though it might not be quite the church music you’re used to.

Buddy started out playing in a bluegrass band in high school. After traveling the country playing his guitar he ended up in New York with the Buddy Miller Band with a young Shawn Colvin singing and playing guitar. After a few years of this he ended up moving to Nashville. Along the way he met and fell in love and eventually married Julie.

Buddy is the leader of Emmylou Harris’ band and has helped produce her more recent albums. She has called Buddy one of the best guitar players of all time. He has gained fame as a songwriter, with artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Brooks and Dunn covering his songs.

Buddy is not just a behind the scenes person though. He has stepped out front to write and sing his own songs, as a solo act and with his wife Julie. He has released 7 albums between his solo career and with Julie.

His most recent disc is Universal United House of Prayer. It’s a country album that rocks, a protest album, a gospel album…there are many things this album could be called, among them I would call it great. This is a theme album and the theme is the soul. He writes of the problems the word is facing today and their impact it has on the soul. The centerpiece of the album is his covering the Bob Dylan classic “With God on Our Side.”

Even more recent Buddy has produced a new album for soul great Solomon Burke called Nashville. His album Universal United House of Prayer won the 2005 Album of the Year award from the Americana Music Awards. Currently he's touring with Allison Krauss and Robert Plant. The final issue of the great Americana Magazine No Depression named him the Artist of the Decade.

Buddy is widely sought after for his musical skills and knowledge, both as a guitar player and a producer in Nashville. He continues to tour with Emmylou Harris and record with others as well as put out his own music and record with his wife Julie. It’s been a few years since he put out his last album so hopefully he has something new coming out soon.

Buddy Miller

This week’s voice to hear is Buddy Miller. Buddy calls Nashville home and is an in demand session player and producer as well as a superb songwriter and singer. He also records with his wife Julie. Besides country music Buddy considers himself a Christian singer, though it might not be quite the church music you’re used to.

Buddy started out playing in a bluegrass band in high school. After traveling the country playing his guitar he ended up in New York with the Buddy Miller Band with a young Shawn Colvin singing and playing guitar. After a few years of this he ended up moving to Nashville. Along the way he met and fell in love and eventually married Julie.

Buddy is the leader of Emmylou Harris’ band and has helped produce her more recent albums. She has called Buddy one of the best guitar players of all time. He has gained fame as a songwriter, with artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Brooks and Dunn covering his songs.

Buddy is not just a behind the scenes person though. He has stepped out front to write and sing his own songs, as a solo act and with his wife Julie. He has released 7 albums between his solo career and with Julie.

His most recent disc is Universal United House of Prayer. It’s a country album that rocks, a protest album, a gospel album…there are many things this album could be called, among them I would call it great. This is a theme album and the theme is the soul. He writes of the problems the word is facing today and their impact it has on the soul. The centerpiece of the album is his covering the Bob Dylan classic “With God on Our Side.”

Even more recent Buddy has produced a new album for soul great Solomon Burke called Nashville. His album Universal United House of Prayer won the 2005 Album of the Year award from the Americana Music Awards.

Buddy is widely sought after for his musical skills and knowledge, both as a guitar player and a producer in Nashville. He continues to tour with Emmylou Harris and record with others as well as put out his own music and record with his wife Julie. It’s been a few years since he put out his last album so hopefully he has something new coming out soon.