Ryan Curtis - Ain't Ever Easy - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

'Steve Forbert meets early Paul Simon...' -- Perry Persoff, WXRV, New England's 92.5 The River '...an intelligent, eclectic blend.' -- Judith Pellowe, The Hippo Press, Manchester, NH Independent Songwriter Magazine 4-Star - 'It seems that in this day of high-tech modernistic devices, we've lost the way back to bare bones production--where the story wasn't buried under a barrage of electronic alterations. What ever happened to those days? Well, they're back, folks. In this little unassuming disc from Stacy Glen, we find the heart of the American songwriter in all it's basic glory. Stacy's guitar resonates with a warm glowing sound; a perfect frame for his low-key voice. It makes you wish the '60's were back again.' The melodic, literate songs on Alleyways include James Taylor and CSN influences ('West on 80, Yellow Island'), rock/country crossovers ('Driving in the Country, Yo-Yo'), blues-based rockers ('Sleeping on the Sidewalk, Fugitive'), jazz-influenced ballads ('Sight of Snow, New York City Woman') and the folk/rock anthem 'Leaving Seattle.' Stories of the road and romance emerge from the lyrics, and the tight arrangements feature organ, harmonica, mandolin, violin, and acoustic and electric guitar. Alleyways was recorded over the span of six months in early 2001 at the studio of well-known Central PA producer/engineer/guitarist Chris Younken. Featured musicians include Scott Shenyo, Leslie Dyer, Tom Jordan, multi-instrumentalist Steve Buckalew, and backup vocalist Katy Dawn Twoey. Jon Rounds, guitarist for longtime regional favorites Cartoon, makes a special appearance on 'Northern Lullaby.'

With over 50 million digital streams, over 80,000 albums sold, twelve #1 singles on the Texas Country Music Chart and a #1 song on the national Power Source Christian Country Music Chart, Curtis Grimes has proven to be a force in the country music industry that can't be denied. To hear Grimes sing is to take a trip through the heart of country music. As a Texas native, he was raised on a steady diet of Alan Jackson and George Strait. He possesses the everyman charm that both influenced along with a refreshingly mature voice that truly stands out. After a childhood filled with playing baseball and eventually earning a Division I scholarship, Grimes was given the opportunity to appear on the hit reality TV show, The Voice in 2011. Under direction of coach CeeLo Green, he ended up finishing as a coveted Top 10 finalist of Season 1. Following success from the show, Grimes hit the ground running and released new music while performing shows across the United States. In 2014, Grimes and his hit single InchHome to MeInch were picked up by the salon chain InchSupercutsInch and placed in the mainstream spotlight. Not only was the song featured across the country, but Grimes also got to put on his acting boots and star in the national television commercial. That same year Grimes started to see his hard work pay off when he was awarded InchNew Male Vocalist of the YearInch at the annual Texas Regional Radio Awards. In 2019, Grimes was named InchEntertainer of the YearInch at the TCMA Awards Show hosted by the Texas Country Music Association. He also received the honor of InchChristian Country Song of the YearInch for the second year in a row! In 2020, Grimes took home the InchChristian Country Artist of the YearInch award along with InchCountry Single of the YearInch for InchRiver Road Dream,Inch a song co-written with Trent Willmon.

A groundbreaking Decca album celebrating the glory of both bel canto and the voice of Sutherland in her prime, long unavailable on it's own, reissued complete with a booklet introduction from Richard Bonynge. More than a quarter of a century has now passed since Decca remastered ?The Age of Bel Canto? among the first releases in it's ?Classic Sound? series of classic albums from the tag?s history. While the contents of the album have reappeared complete or excerpted in one or another tribute to Sutherland and her art, it is past time for a new generation of record lovers to appreciate once more how curiosity, research, technical finesse and dedication all contribute towards the making of a classic of the gramophone and not just another recording.