American Originals

Recorded live at the Bottom Line: May 7, 1999
AMO-3002

THE ALBUM:

DAVID BUSKIN, ROB CARLSON and GEORGE WURZBACH, a trio of celebrated singers/songwriters who never met a punch line they didn't like, have joined together to articulate their unique point-of-view, push the envelope of contemporary songwriting and "make a couple two-three dollars without breaking a sweat." Unfettered by hidebound strictures of "taste" and "maturity," these artistes are fast redefining something-or-other that used to be defined differently. Be delighted as MODERN MAN deftly interweaves themes ranging from God to Godzilla, from ESPN to the FBI, with a vocal blend that has not been heard since Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin & Young went their separate ways.

THE ARTISTS:

MODERN MAN is a trio of the celebrated singers/songwriters DAVID BUSKIN, ROB CARLSON and GEORGE WURZBACH. David Buskin has written songs for JUDY COLLINS, TOM RUSH, TOM PAXTON, PETER, PAUL & MARY, ROBERTA FLACK and JOHNNY MATHIS. But it is in the world of jingles that David Buskin has truly made his mark. His jingle hits for JC Penny, Jif, Goodyear, The US Postal Service, Burger King, Continental Airlines, NBC, Kitchen Aid, Buick, Stouffers and Liberty Mutual Insurance have filled the airways for years. Rob Carlson is a singer, songwriter, comedian and producer. In 1973 Rob Carlson teamed with John Galimor and was signed to Polydor Records. In 1975 they released the critical and commercial success, Peaceable Kingdom. Rob Carlson's song parodies are heard all over the country on ABC Network Radio and the American Comedy Network, a radio comedy syndicator. George Wurzbach has worked the past 15 years as a sideman and session player for a cavalcade of artists such as JOHNNY CASH, KATHY MATTEA and MEL TORME. George Wurzbach's performance at the 1995 Kerrville Folk Festival earned him the New Folk Award. Together this trio of singers/songwriters will draw their listeners into these witty, probing and hysterical songs that affect us all.

 With Tony Arata, Malcom Holcombe, Fred Knobloch, Suzi Ragsdale, Verlon Thompson and others.
           AMO-3004

Track Listing:
1) THE OL' HARPOON
2) I USED TO WORRY
3) CAN I COME BACK HOME
4) MARVELENE'S KITCHEN
5) BESIDE MYSELF
6) NIGHT BY NIGHT
7) TROUBLEMAKER
8) YOUR EYES WILL SHINE
9) LOVE EVERY TIME
10) A LOVER IS FOREVER
11) MOUTH HARP MAN

THE ALBUM:

Jelly Roll Johnson's distinctive, soulful style of harmonica identifies him as one of Nashville's great musicians. This album joins Jelly Roll's talents with acoustic performances by some of Nashville's best singers / songwriters. With its spare production style, this album weaves together Americana tunes with flavors ranging from blues to pop to folk, enhanced by Johnson's expressive harp. 

THE ARTIST:

Many of Nashville's greatest artists can boast of Jelly Roll Johnson's artistry and soul added to their albums: Shania Twain, The Judds, Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers, Jo Dee Messina, Alabama, John Michael Montgomery, Ricky Scaggs, Hal Ketchum, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack, are just a few. The singers/ songwriters here perform all vocals and most of the acoustic guitars: Tony Arata, writer of Garth Brooks' hit The Dance; Malcolm Holcombe; J. Fred Knobloch, co-writer of Faith Hill's If My Heart Had Wings and George Strait's smashMeanwhile; Suzi Ragsdale and Verlon Thompson, who penned the Trisha Yearwood hit You Say You Will.

Jelly Roll Johnson is a genuine American Original, the pride of Nashville, Tennessee and Lake Charles, Louisiana. You can also enjoy Jelly Roll Johnson with J. Fred Knobloch on the American Originals Live At The Bluebird album (AMO-4003).

AMO-3003

Track Listing:
 1)    I WANNA KNOW (THE BETTY CROCKER SONG)
 2)    WHERE MY LIPS HAVE BEEN
 3)    GIRL TALK
 4)    CHILDLESS
 5)    THIS IS GONNA HURT
 6)    SUBURBIA
 7)    HE WANTS TO GET MARRIED
 8)    NO REGRETS
 9)    CRY OVER YOU
10)   SHE THINKS HIS NAME WAS JOHN
11)   DEAR SANTA
12)   BY THEN
13)   PASS THE TORCH

THE ALBUM:

Whether it's describing the pain of adultery in DOES HE LOVE YOU or the last days of a woman with AIDS inSHE THINKS HIS NAME WAS JOHN, SANDY KNOX has become well known for her ability to capture the feelings of real women in the words of her songs.  This debut album features a collection of songs about life as a single, successful woman.  This project is a reflection of SANDY KNOX's life.  The listener is drawn in as if sitting beside her as she looks into the mirror, looking back on a life that has taken her from Houston to Nashville, where she became one of the top songwriters in the music industry.  SANDY KNOX delivers these poignant messages with a deep, sultry and knowing voice.  Her words and voice combine to create a powerful, emotional masterpiece that provokes laughter and tears.

THE ARTIST:

With $1,500 in her pocket and not a friend in town, SANDY KNOX moved to Nashville at age 24 to pursue songwriting.  Three years later, she had her first song cut.  Her big break came in 1993, when DIONNE WARWICK released WHERE MY LIPS HAVE BEEN as a single.  That followed with REBA McENTIRE recordingDOES HE LOVE YOU as a duet with LINDA DAVIS.  DOES HE LOVE YOU spent three weeks atop Billboard Magazine's Country Chart.  It also received a Grammy nomination for Country Song of the Year and garnered a Grammy Award for REBA McENTIRE and LINDA DAVIS for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. DOES HE LOVE YOU was also recognized by The Academy of Country Music receiving four nominations.  It took the CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year.  Some of the artists who have recorded SANDY KNOX songs are REBA McENTIRE, NEIL DIAMOND, PATTI LABELLE, LIZA MINELLI , DONNA SUMMER and DIONNE WARWICK.  SANDY is on the list of 1000 WOMEN WE ADMIRE in Mirabella, a national woman's magazine. SANDY KNOX served on the Board of the NSAI (Nashville Songwriter Association International) for five years.  Sandy lives in Austin now.  She teaches a songwriting course at The University of Texas, and is on the Board of Governors for the Grammy Awards (The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).

AMO-3001

Track Listing:
1) SHE RIDES WILD HORSES
2) IF IT GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT
3) HOW DID YOU DO IT
4) WORKING MY WAY DOWN
5) A LITTLE SOUL
6) MY EVIL TWIN
7) THIS SIDE OF TOWN
8) HOPELESS ROMANTIC
9) EVERY STRANGER HAS A STORY
10) BIG BELAIRE
11) IF I'D EVER MET YOU
12) IN A PERFECT WORLD
13) BOULEVARD OF DREAMS

The Album:

American Originals Records is proud to present CORBIN/HANNER, EVERY STRANGER HAS A STORY. After a half dozen albums and eight Top 10 Country hits, the duo has achieved another measure of success with this album. KENNY ROGERS has sold more than 100 million records in a career destined for the Hall of Fame. Kenny liked the first track, SHE RIDES WILD HORSES, so much that it became the title track of his album. With Bob Corbin's song, Kenny had his highest album chart debut in 15 years up to that point.  Meanwhile, Canadian music's JUNO Hall of Famer ANNE MURRAY has chose Dave Hanner's, LORD, I HOPE THIS DAY IS GOOD, to open her new album, "WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD". These two great singers/songwriters will touch your heart. This album takes everyday life and sets it to music. Every stranger does have a story. Listen to this record and you'll hear a few.

The Artists:

Since the seventh grade Bob Corbin and Dave Hanner have been singing harmony together. In the 70's they formed Gravel and became one of western Pennsylvania's most popular bands. MEL TILLIS signed them to his publishing company and recorded their song "Blind In Love," which became a Top Ten Country hit. Success continued with hits from THE OAK RIDGE BOYS, DON WILLIAMS, GEORGE JONES, ANNE MURRAY, KENNY ROGERS, HANK WILLIAMS JR. and ALABAMA. In the early 90's, they released two albums for Mercury Records in Nashville. Since then they've continued to write and perform. With response from their concerts and fan requests, they decided to go into the studio and record EVERY STRANGER HAS A STORY.

AMO-4006

Track Listing
1) BABY TOOK A LIMO TO MEMPHIS
2) MY OLD FRIEND THE BLUES
3) KATIE BELLE
4) THE CAPE
5) VALENTINE'S DAY
6) AIN'T LEAVIN' YOUR LOVE
7) RANDALL KNIFE
8) TOM AMES' PRAYER
9) A SONG FOR
10) DUBLIN BLUES
11) I AIN'T EVER SATISFIED
12) PANCHO AND LEFTY
13) IMMIGRANT EYES
14) MERCENARY SONG
15) TECUMSEH VALLEY
16) COPPERHEAD ROAD

The Artist:

Here is one of the legendary Bluebird Café's most magical, memorable evenings ever. STEVE EARLE, TOWNES VAN ZANDT & GUY CLARK - TOGETHER AT THE BLUEBIRD CAFÉ. Hear first hand the respect and admiration these craftsmen have for each other. Listen to Pancho & Lefty, Randall Knife, and Copperhead Road. As STEVE EARLE put it, "TOWNES VAN ZANDT is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Three friends, three poets, three masters --- laughing, singing and telling the stories behind the songs, captured forever on this extraordinary album, TOGETHER AT THE BLUEBIRD CAFÉ. Own a piece of history.

AMO-4005

Track Listing:
1) WHAT IN THYE WORLD ARE YOU DRINKIN'
2) CHURCH ON CUMBERLAND ROAD
3) TORE MY ASS
4) MONEY IN THE BANK
5) PINO THE SQUID
6) THEY'RE PLAYIN' OUR SONG
7) REDNECKS IN CYBERSPACE
8) MIRROR, MIRROR
9) CLIFFORD CURRY
10) 25 HOURS A DAY
11) FORREST GUMP
12) BLUE CLEAR SKY
13) SONGWRITER'S REVENGE
14) DRAGGIN' THE LAKE FOR THE MOON
15) GERRY HOUSE / TURKEY
16) DADDY'S MONEY
17) FOOD JUNKIE
18) WINK
19) MY BRUTHA
20) WORLD'S APART
21) NAKED DOG FEEDING
22) LAUGH

The Artist:

One of the most influential and awarded Country songwriters in the past 20 years, the songs of BOB DiPIERO have been major works in the careers of FAITH HILL, TIM McGRAW, GEORGE STRAIT, REBA McENTIRE, VINCE GILL, THE OAK RIDGE BOYS and many other artists. Bob's 30 Hit Singles include 13 #1's. Here is the writer of Take Me As I Am, Blue Clear Sky, Worlds Apart, Money In The Bank, Till You Love Me, There You Are, I Got My Baby and We're So Good Together. His acclaim includes 1998 Nashville Music Awards Songwriter Of The Year, 1997 Song Of The Year for Worlds Apart, 1995 & 1996 CMA Triple Play Award.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS
Recorded at The Bluebird Café, here is BOB DiPIERO singing his #1 Hits Blue Clear Sky, Daddy's Money, Worlds Apart, They're Playin' Our Song and The Church On Cumberland Road. Here is the humor, sensitivity, insight and imagination of a great songwriter with a little help from GARY BURR, RICHARD MARX, JIM PHOTOGLO, CRAIG WISEMAN, SHARON VAUGHN, AL ANDERSON, JEFFREY STEELE, SKIP EWING, KENT BLAZY, BOBBY BRADDOCK, WAYNE CARSON, JILL COLUCCI, JENNY YATES, VICTORIA SHAW, BILLY DEAN and JESS LEARY.

AMO-4007

Track Listing:
1) YOU CAN PUT YOUR NAME ON IT
2) BFD
3) ALL KINDS OF KINDS
4) THAT'S WHERE ALL THE KIDS CAME FROM
5) THE BIG GOODBYE
6) INTO A MALL
7) BACK ON THE FARM AGAIN
8) TRANSITIONAL CAR
9) BEAUTIFUL FOOL
10) MR. PUTTY
11) TRAILER SONG
12) MOTEL, MOTEL, MOTEL
13) SON, SUN
14) SONG ABOUT ME
15) WHERE'VE YOU BEEN
16) HARLEY

The Artist:

DON HENRY won the 1991 Grammy for Best Country Song with KATHY MATTEA's megahit, Where've You Been, and was the first Grammy Award Country song to add the Awards of The Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, and the Nashville Songwriter's Association International. Don Henry is the son of the renowned Bay Area musician, Hoyet Henry.  Don Henry is a brilliant performer, an entertainer of wit and wisdom, a songwriter of amazing variety and clairvoyance. His fans who praised and treasured Don Henry's Sony album, WILD IN THE BACK YARD, were awaiting DON HENRY Live At The Bluebird.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS

DON HENRY performs Live At The Bluebird with GARY NICHOLSON, BILL LLOYD, CRAIG COROTHERS, KIM RICHEY, TONY ARATA, VINCE MELEMED, KEVIN WELCH, ASHLEY CLEVELAND, JIM PHOTOGLO, DANNY FLOWERS, GENE NELSON, BYRON HOUSE, MOLLY FELDER, DAVE JACQUES and ERIC DARKEN. They add their brilliance and talent to an extraordinary album, recorded at various performances with DON HENRY Live At The Bluebird Café.

AMO-4008

Track Listing:
1) THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
2) SON OF A MOUNTAIN MAN
3) STRAY DOGS AND ALLEY CATS
4) IT'S JUST ME
5) THE LITTLE GIRL
6) ANOTHER GOOD REASON NOT TO DRINK
7) MEAT & POTATOES MAN
8) BETWEEN THE DEVIL & ME
9) FREE & EASY
10) EVERYTHING I LOVE IS KILLIN' ME
11) I'M ALL OUT OF LOVE TODAY
12) LEARNING TO LIVE WITH ME 

The Artist:

Though most of his family hails from Hazard, Kentucky, Harley spent most of his childhood in Dayton, Ohio. Through the 70's Harley Allen sang in the family band headed by his famous father, bluegrass singer Red Allen. It was here that Harley developed his ability to set a scene and capture human nature in verse. The next 20 years Harley fronted his own groups and recorded 15 albums on various small labels. In 1996, Harley scored his first major label release on Mercury Nashville on the album ANOTHER RIVER. It brought characters and true-to-life images from Harley's world. Harley's songs have been recorded by GARTH BROOKS, ALAN JACKSON, LINDA RONSTADT, HAL KETCHUM, TY ENGLAND and ALISON KRAUSS.

Here is HARLEY ALLEN, a great songwriter and performer, including his own versions of his hits, THE LITTLE GIRL, BETWEEN THE DEVIL & ME and EVERYTHING I LOVE IS KILLIN' ME, recorded at various performances Live At The Bluebird Café.

AMO-4004

Track Listing:
1)   GIVE ME WINGS
2)   I WATCHED IT ALL ON MY RADIO
3)   THE GAMBLER
4)   MISSION FROM HANK
5)   BLANK SHEET OF PAPER
6)   I TAKE MY CHANCES
7)   THREE-LEGGED MAN
8)   THE GREATEST
9)   AUNT JENNY’S BLUE DRESS
10) HEART IN A SUITCASE
11) ONE PICTURE’S WORTH
12) THE CURE
13) WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL
14) SIX WORDS
15) OSCAR THE ANGEL

The Artist:

Recorded at The Bluebird Café during his renowned "Don For A Dollar" evenings, presenting songs that DON SCHLITZmost wanted to record for his own album, including his legendary The Gambler. This is the humor, sensitivity, insight and imagination of one of the greatest songwriters of our generation. Mission To Hank is a tribute to the undefeatable determination of songwriters. Don considers Oscar The Angel to be his “best song ever.” Six Words is Don’s hilarious marital advice. Other “Bluebird classics” are available for the first time on this CD. The legendary story-telling ability of DON SCHLITZis evident in this album and is also the trademark of his music and lyrics for his first musical, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” on Broadway in 2001. Here’s the magic and genius of DON SCHLITZ, LIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD

AMO-4001

Track Listing:
1)     ROSALEE
2)     BLUER THAN BLUE
3)     COMPANY MAN
4)     DIRTY HANDS
5)     IN THE NAME OF GOD
6)     ONE MILE APART
7)     ROLLERCOASTER RUN
8)     HEART & SOUL TO ME
9)     IT’S MY JOB
10)  IF I FELL FROM GRACE WITH YOU
11)  CAIN’S BLOOD
12)  Encore:  ONE NOTE SAMBA

The Artist:

The legendary LIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD Series comes to life with its first release, featuring MICHAEL JOHNSON.  His voice immediately identifies him as the artist with the hits Bluer Than Blue, Give Me Wings,That's That, This Night Won't Last Forever and other landmark songs.  Here are songs he has performed over the years that have never been recorded.  Songs like It's My Job, You Will Always Be Heart & Soul To Me,Rosalee and many others.  Here is MICHAEL JOHNSON LIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD.

AMO-4002

Track Listing:
1)     YOU WILL ALWAYS WONDER
2)     SOMETHING IN RED
3)     FROM THE INSIDE OUT
4)     WRECK OF A HEART
5)     RESURRECTION
6)     MOSTEST BROKEST HEART
7)     WHAT IF IT’S ME
8)     LILA AND THE DANCING BEARS
9)     MEMORY #9
10)   WHERE ARE YOU
11)   JONES FOR YOU

The Artist:

Since signing her first recording contract at age 20, ANGELA KASET has become one of Nashville's finest singer/songwriters.  In 1997 she was the SESAC Country Writer Of The Year.  ANGELA KASET has had songs recorded by the likes of Suzy Boggus, Aaron Tippin, Doug Stone, Janie Fricke, Victoria Shaw and Linda Davis. She is best known as the writer of the Lorrie Morgan smash hit, Something In Red.  Here is ANGELA KASET LIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD.

AMO-4003

Track Listing:
1)     MISTAKEN IDENTITY
2)     CAN I COME BACK HOME
3)     FEEL BETTER IN THE MORNIN’
4)     KING OF FOOLS
5)     STAY AWAY FROM THE BLUES
6)     FIRST THING EVERY MORNIN’
7)     THREE VERSES
8)     FEELS LIKE MISSISSIPPI
9)     A LOVER IS FOREVER
10)   WHICH SIDE OF THE GLASS
11)   YOU KNOW HOW WOMEN ARE
12)   MEMPHIS MORNIN’
13)   COLD FEET

The Artist:

Since moving to Nashville in 1983, Music Row has allowed J. FRED KNOBLOCH to make lots of  "noise with the boys" as an artist, session musician and songwriter.  With his good friends Thom Schuyler and Craig Brickhardt, he formed the group SKB, whose hits include No East Horses and #1 Country single Baby's Got A New Baby.  Fred's songs have been cut by Lorrie Morgan, John Anderson, Tricia Yearwood, Faith Hill, George Strait, Larry Stewart, Neal McCoy, Confederate Railroad, Sawyer Brown, Delbert McClinton, Etta James, Ray Charles, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Kenny Rogers.  KIRK JELLYROLL JOHNSON'S distinctive, soulful style of harmonica has earned him a place as one of Nashville's top session musicians.  Since moving to Nashville in 1984, he has recorded with Tricia Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, Etta James, Beth Nielson Chapman, Randy Travis, The Judds, Shania Twain and many others.  His unique sound has been heard on over 50 gold and platinum albums.  Here's a magical evening of J. FRED KNOBLOCH & JELLY ROLL JOHNSON LIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD