Gary Nicholson - Texas Songbook

(Bismeaux Records, 2011)

 

Texas Songbook is a collection of tunes about the men and women of the Lone Star state with contributions from Nicholson pals including Joe Ely, Marcia Ball, Ray Benson, and other hard to classify mavericks. The music, as you probably guessed, is outside of the Nashville mainstream, with an under-produced, down-home flavor that showcases Nicholson’s excellent writing, fine vocals, and diverse arrangements.

 

Personnel:

• Gary Nicholson - guitar, vocals

• Floyd Domino - piano

• Jason Roberts -  fiddle

• Joel Guzman - accordion

• Kevin Smith - bass

• David Sanger - drums

• Joe Manuel - guitar

• Tommy Detamore - steel guitar 

• Perry Coleman -  backing vocals

 

Special Texan Guests

• Ray Benson - guest vocals on "Listen To Willie," "Messin' With My Woman," Lone Star Blues"

• Jason Roberts - guest vocals on "Messin' With My Woman"

• Delbert McClintton - harmonica on "Same Kind of Crazy"

• Joe Ely -  guest vocal on "Lone Star Blues"

• Marcia Ball - piano on "Texas Ruby"

• Mickey Raphael – harmonica on "Some Days You Write The Song," "Listen To Willie"

• Jon Randall Stewart - guest vocals on "Talkin' Texan"

• The McCrary Sisters - guest vocals on "Bless 'Em All"

• James Pennebaker - fiddle on "Texas Weather

• Larry Franklin - fiddle on "Lone Star Blues," "She Feels Like Texas"

• Jim Hoke - saxophones on "Texas Ruby"

 

Except "Texas Weather"

• Eddie Bayers - drums • Dan Dugmore - steel guitar • James Pennebaker - fiddle • Eli Beard - bass • Larry Beird - acoustic guitar • Troy Lancaster - electric guitar • Howard Duck - Keyboards

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Thanks to all the wonderfully talented Texas musicians, songwriters, recording artists and collaborates that contributed to make my dream come true of making a record in Texas by Texans.  Special thanks to Ray Benson, Sam "Lighting" Seifert, Peter Schwarz, Mindy Espy-Reyes and all of the Bismeaux Records and Asleep At The Wheel. Thanks to Nancy Fly, Danny King, Joe Ables, Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, Jim McGuire, Buddy Jackson, Cary Baker, Delbert and Wendy McClinton, Jill Mcguckin, Patrick Granado, Rob Fraboni, Gordon Fowler, Mike Ketchall @ Miktek Microphones, James Pennebaker at Fender. Deepest love and appreciation to Barbara Nicholson and Nathan,  Travis, Adam and Luke. Extra Special thanks to my dear friend and honorary Texan Ray Kennedy for exceptional skill, tireless enthusiasm and attention to detail.

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