SOMEWHERE IN TIME Features Band’s Take

on Work of Legendary Pinto Bennett

 Austin, TX — Live performances and listening parties are scheduled around the anticipated release by Austin roots-rock band Reckless Kelly of its latest album for Yep Roc Records, the rustic, rowdy and romantic SOMEWHERE IN TIME (February 9), a collection of songs written and co-written by cowboy song legend Pinto Bennett and given the RK touch — events that start in Austin.

 The day before the SOMEWHERE IN TIME release, February 8, Reckless Kelly hosts Listening Parties at two Maudie’s Tex-Mex locations in Austin: at 5 p.m. at the Maudie’s Café at 2608 W. Seventh St. (Lake Austin Boulevard), and 6:30 p.m. at the 1212 S. Lamar Blvd. restaurant (Maudie’s Too). Free and open to the public, meet-and-greets and taco bar and drink specials (including a Reckless Rita) are planned; Waterloo Records will be onsite for pre-sale of new albums.

Country- & Jazz-Flavor Originals, Old-Time Tunes, Full-Blown Talent

Fill Band’s IT’S ABOUT DAM TIME

 Austin, TX — Marshall Ford Swing Band — the “young and refreshing” Austin five-piece whose vocals, piano, guitars, bass and beat combine for a swing sound that sometimes goes country and sometimes scatters some jazz — releases its first studio album, the bright and buoyant IT’S ABOUT DAM TIME, on February 16 with CD release shows across the state.

 Marshall Ford Swing Band members — Emily Ann Gimble (vocals and piano), Greg Harkins (guitar and vocals), Jeremy Wheeless (guitar), James Gwyn (drums) and Kristopher Wade (upright bass) — give it their all, onstage and now in the studio.

 Word of mouth in Austin music circles and gigs in some of the city’s most popular restaurants and other venues, as well as time at the fiddle camp of legend Johnny Gimble (yes, Emily’s grandfather), have pushed the band’s evolution from its traditional country start to one embracing Western swing and its most engaging elements: retro shout vocals, twin guitar leads (by Harkins and Wheeless), an animated piano, and lyrics simple and straightforward.

 Like the album, the band’s shows are full of up-tempo old-time swing tunes that band members love and love to play and country- and jazz-infused originals — all of which set toes to tapping and couples to dancing.

 “This group’s tunes are reminiscent of the early days of swing music, where the bass kept the beat and the mandolin was a prominent fixture,” said the Austin American-Statesman.

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Exclusive new George Jones CD includes two previously unreleased songs

LEBANON, Tenn.' (August 17, 2009) ' It took forty years to bring them together, but now a country music legend is joining forces with a leading restaurant for good country cookin' to offer up some songs that really cook!  George Jones had already hit the country music charts and won several big awards by 1969, the year that Cracker Barrel Old Country Store' opened the doors of its very first location. And to help celebrate Cracker Barrel's 40th year anniversary, George's newest album goes on sale August 31st exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.

A Collection Of My Best Recollection has 12 tracks and features some of George's most memorable songs, including 'White Lightning,' 'Finally Friday,' and, of course, 'He Stopped Lovin' Her Today,' which many people consider to be the best country music song of all time. This special CD also includes two songs that have never been released before, 'I Don't Want To Know,' and 'I'm A Long Gone Daddy.'  

'When the idea of working with Cracker Barrel on a CD first came up, I was all for it,' says two-time Grammy' Award winner George Jones. 'I've been eating there for as long as I can remember. I love the idea of having my music right there in their retail store!'

The Country Music Hall of Famer was named Billboard magazine's Most Promising New Country Artist back in 1956, and he has lived up to that promise, earning a number of honors over the years. He won both Billboard's and Cashbox's Male Vocalist of the Year award in 1962 and 1963. He's received two Grammy' Awards and Kennedy Center Honors for his lifetime contributions to American culture. George's biggest hit, 'He Stopped Lovin' Her Today,' won the Country Music Association Song of the Year Award twice, in 1980 and in 1981. George maintains an active touring schedule throughout North America.

One of the previously unreleased songs on this new CD, 'I'm A Long Gone Daddy,' was produced by Buddy Cannon, who is well-known as Kenny Chesney's record producer, and who won the Academy of Country Music's award for Producer of the Year in 2006. Cannon also produced 'I Don't Want To Know,' George's favorite song on the album. 'They never released it because they thought it was 'too country',' says George, 'but since Cracker Barrel's happy to satisfy the cravings of real country music fans, we're putting it on this record.'

'What a great honor to work with George Jones to share his music with Cracker Barrel guests on such a terrific CD,' says Cracker Barrel's Vice President of Marketing Peter Keiser. 'George is an artist who the newer generation of country singers reveres and his songs resonate with anyone who gives them a listen.'

A Collection Of My Best Recollection goes on sale at all Cracker Barrel locations on August 31st and is the latest project in an impressive collection of exclusive music available only at Cracker Barrel. It follows May's release of Montgomery Gentry's For Our Heroes, which debuted at #5 on Billboard magazine's Top Country Album Chart, and March's release of Dolly Parton's Collectors' Edition of Backwoods Barbie, which debuted at #9 on that chart. The series also includes a number of exclusive releases in 2008 - November's release of Bill Gaither's Homecoming Hymns, the August release of Kenny Rogers: 50 Years, the July release of Ricky Skaggs' The High Notes and the April release of Aaron Tippin's He Believed. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs featuring Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

Darius Rucker Celebrates Album Success and Third No. 1 Single With Free Show at the Grand Ole Opry for Jimmy Kimmel Live!

NASHVILLE, TN - August 11, 2009 - Life is "Alright" for Darius Rucker since having  won-over critics and fans alike with his debut country album LEARN TO LIVE.  His 2008 debut country album on Capitol Records Nashville now marks Rucker's first RIAA-certified platinum country album.

"To have an album sell a million copies today is really an achievement.  I feel so blessed to have been embraced in the country music community with this album, and I couldn't have done it without all the support from country radio and country music fans," Rucker says before adding a sincerely stated, "Thank you!"

Rucker's third release from LIVE, "Alright,"  has helped push the album to platinum status, as well as establish Rucker as the first artist in nearly 17 years to top the Billboard Country Chart with three consecutive No. 1 singles.

In celebration of LIVE's success, Rucker will be giving a free performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee on August 24th that will air on Jimmy Kimmel Live!--slated to air August 27, 2009.  You can also look for Darius August 31st on ABC's CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock, as well as upcoming "Unstoppable Tour" dates with Rascal Flatts.

For more information, visit www.dariusrucker.com.