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Severn Records Signs The Fabulous Thunderbirds and The Nighthawks Two Legendary American Roots Bands Will Release Label Debut CDs In Early 2012
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records has announced the signing of legendary American roots music bands The Fabulous Thunderbirds and The Nighthawks, and will release label debut CDs on both in early 2012.
In addition to The Fabulous Thunderbirds co-founder, singer/harmonica player Kim Wilson, the band members are the brothers Moeller – Johnny (guitar) and Jay (drums) - as well as Mike Keller (guitar) and Randy Bermudes (bass). Severn Records also released Johnny Moeller’s critically-acclaimed CD, BlooGaLoo, in 2010.
“We are thrilled to have The Fabulous Thunderbirds as part of the Severn family and to have the opportunity to give Kim and the band’s music a home,” said Severn Records president David Earl. “Their style will fit in perfectly with what we do and we are looking forward to the first studio sessions in the creation of a new Thunderbirds album.”
“I’m really excited about being a part of Severn Records,” said Kim Wilson. “We have a great rapport with David Earl and I feel at home already. The creative family atmosphere he provides is something that is very rare in any business these days.”
Founded in Austin, Texas, in 1974, the Grammy-nominated Fabulous Thunderbirds have evolved over the years from the group’s original blues sound. “We started as a straight blues band,” said Kim Wilson. We now incorporate a mixture of a lot of different styles. We’re an American music band and we’re much higher energy than we were before. To be in the T-Birds, you need to understand the different styles of music and different ways of playing it. You have to be willing to adopt a more contemporary style. The guys we have now are able to do that.”
Through consistent touring and the release of such landmark albums as Butt Rockin’, T-Bird Rhythm, Tuff Enuff and Powerful Stuff, The Fabulous Thunderbirds garnered international stardom with the hit singles, “Tuff Enuff,” “Wrap It Up and “Look at That.”
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are managed by Skip Taylor of Two Goats Entertainment and booked in the U.S. and Canada by Bill Monot at Paradise Artists. The band has an upcoming tour of Australia in April, 2012 and will also support the release of their new Severn Records album with extensive touring in both the U.S. and Europe.
For more information on The Fabulous Thunderbirds, visit www.fabulousthunderbirds.com.
For the Severn Records signing of The Nighthawks, the two Washington, DC-area based entities unite at a very special time in their history. Severn was recently announced as the recipient of the 2012 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Record Label from the Blues Foundation; and The Nighthawks are coming off their first-ever Blues Music Award (also from the Blues Foundation) - Acoustic Blues Album of the Year - for their Last Train to Bluesville CD, presented in Memphis this past May.
The Nighthawks are: Mark Wenner - vocals, harmonica; Johnny Castle - vocals, bass; Paul Bell – guitar; and Mark Stutso - drums, vocals. Always known as one of the hardest working bands in music, The Nighthawks continue to tour extensively on their own and are also doing several shows featuring the band and special guest, legendary singer Tracy Nelson (Mother Earth).
The Nighthawks’ untitled debut release for Severn Records was recorded at the label’s new state-of-the-art studios in Annapolis and features quite a bit of original material. Bassist Johnny Castle contributes a new tune and also sings on a version of Jimmy McCracklin’s “Georgia Slop;” while most-recent band member, drummer Mark Stutso, does four originals, demonstrating the added talent he brings to the band as a songwriter and additional singer. Other tracks reportedly cut include one Billy Price original, plus the classic “Smack Dab in the Middle” and Nat King Cole’s “Send for Me.”
In addition to the band’s stellar catalogue of acclaimed albums released since 1974, The Nighthawks have long enjoyed wonderful touring and recording relationships with some of the best and brightest names in roots and blues music. On their 1978 release, Jacks and Kings, they backed up such blues all-stars as Pinetop Perkins, Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson, Calvin Jones and Bob Margolin; and backed up John Hammond on his Hot Tracks album. The Nighthawks have toured with John Hammond, as well as John Lee Hooker, Elvin Bishop, Tracy Nelson and Eddie Hinton; and also played with such national treasures as Muddy Waters and Carl Perkins. Over the years, several other star artists have literally become de-facto “members” of the band at various times, including Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes and Bob Margolin.
Recorded live at the Washington studios of Sirius XM Satellite Radio, the band’s last CD, Last Train to Bluesville, was a departure of sorts from their previous efforts. Stripped down and acoustic, Last Train to Bluesville resonated with music fans and the media alike with its honesty, passion and soul. The album features down-home versions of 10 blues classics from such artists as Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Slim Harpo, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and James Brown, among others. Recorded with the intimate feeling of a back-porch setting, Last Train to Bluesville bristles with all the energy of a live gig and the world-class performances Nighthawks fans from around the world have come to expect.
In its review of the CD, The Washington Post declared, “If there were ever a question about how the Nighthawks keep their blues-rock sound fresh after nearly 40 years together, Last Train to Bluesville gives the answer…the new acoustic setting really suits the group. The crisp recording draws the group’s instrumentation into the spotlight…a recording that stands out in the band’s lengthy discography.”
International blues magazine Blues Revue said, “While these songs have been staples of The Nighthawks set list for decades, the sparkling acoustic arrangements provide them, and the band, with a new lease on life…accurately captures the dynamics of one of roots music’s long lasting, dependable and often unsung outfits. Long may they fly.”
Blues Blast Magazine called it “Ten tracks of incredible acoustic blues, all the more impressive given that it was recorded as a live session in the studio rather than pieced together of tracks and parts. The crystal clear recording would showcase any flaws – instead what comes through is a tight, professional acoustic set that truly showcases The Nighthawks’ musicianship.” |
