Live from the River Road Icehouse is Darryl Lee Rush's
second release on Shiner Records / Palo Duro Records.
Darryl Lee Rush
comes blasting into the Americana music scene with songs so noticeably fresh and
strong, he’s easily won a huge following, dedicated fans and pages of praise for
his debut CD, Llano Avenue.
On his sophomore release, Darryl Lee Rush: Live from the River Road Ice House,
the Dallas-based Shiner Records artist brings his sharp pen, compelling vocal,
captivating guitar and riveting performance to a live, energetic night with
Rush’s band caught on disc so that far-flung fans can experience what Rush’s
memorable gigs are all about.
Born in the small south central Texas town of Markham, a “town too tough to
die,” Rush was raised in a house next door to the one where his father was born.
Of his family, he says, “music was considered a family value.” Rush began
playing in sixth grade on a classical guitar he cunningly refitted with steel
strings. Lessons with a local bluegrass picker helped Darryl find his way
musically, though Rush developed a smooth style with rough-rocking edges that’s
uniquely his own. As his playing progressed, he quickly gained a large dedicated
following at clubs in and around the Dallas music scene.
Signing with Shiner Records changed things for Rush, as he explained in the
Dallas Observer, "One day we're playing in the neighborhood, the next day we're
opening for Diamond Rio at the Nokia Theater." Those bigger gigs allowed Rush to
bring his expressive voice to enthusiastic audiences, and to play with artists
and new friends like Robert Earl Keen, Randy Rogers and Dwight Yoakam. And Rush
states, “Shiner allowed me to touch and affect so many more people and that let
these songs get out there.”
Signing with Shiner Records (an imprint of venerable Palo Duro Records) enabled
Rush to work with the greats of Texas music: Legendary producer Gurf Morlix,
whose work with Lucinda Williams and Slaid Cleaves is revered by fans, was
tapped to produce Rush’s debut record with Shiner’s co-founder Joshua Jones.
Llano Avenue debuted at #33 and spent weeks on the Americana radio chart,
grabbing the attention of listeners, fans, programmers, radio stations and
industry alike. The CD was lauded by critics and artists alike.
Great gigs and performances followed, including not only the Nokia Theater but
The Granada Theater, Cheatham Street Warehouse, a stage at KHYI’s Texas Music
Revolution, and Bocktoberfest in Shiner, TX and shows at SXSW. Rush quickly
became mainstay on Texas radio with fans recognizing truth in his authentic,
incisive portraits of life, from his wry observation “if you didn’t have that
caller ID/I’d call you up sometime,” in the CD’s title cut to his haunting ode
to a “so cold” stripper in “Diary of a Dancer.” Music fans love and cheer Rush’s
own original country anthem, “White Trash Paradise,” and the title track, “Llano
Avenue,” and repeatedly request Rush’s heartfelt version of Chris Knight’s
“Miles to Memphis” and his well-loved cover of Sam Baker’s “Truale.”
As a songwriter, Rush has been likened to both of those Americana legends as
well as to Fred Eaglesmith. The three share an eye for perfect, insightful image
and for strong human emotions expressed both musically and in the stunning
poetry of their words.
With his new Shiner Records release, appearing December 2007, Darryl Lee Rush:
Live from the River Road Icehouse, Rush invites his fans to the best table in
the house at a rocking show next to the Guadalupe River where, as Rush says,
“Some of the people there were in that river before the night was through.“
Accompanied by bandmates Scott Oldner on lead guitar, Andy Mayer on drums, Don
Gallia on an arsenal of harmonicas and Mike McShane on bass, Darryl rocks the
Texas roadhouse in his inimitable style with his strong, affecting vocals
bringing every word alive and his kick-ass energy infusing the songs with raw
feeling and sheer guts.
Two brand new studio cuts grace the CD, both penned by Rush: the rock-inflected
Texas narrative “Shotgun Annie” and a plaintive, searing look at a life being
lived too fully in “Lot.” Darryl Lee Rush fans – and there will be more and more
of them every day – will love hearing their favorite cuts with live energy and
will thrill to the new songs.
Musicians
Darryl Lee Rush: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Scott Oldner: Electric Guitar, Background Vocals
Michael McShane: Bass Guitar, Background Vocals
Don Gallia: Harmonica
Andy Mayer: Drums
Tommy Detamore: Lap Steel
Recorded by Chet Himes with Bill Johnson, Eli Smith & Michael Lafayette using the ASM Mobile, Austin, Texas
Mixed & Mastered by Tommy Detamore, Cherry Ridge Studio, Floresville, Texas
Produced by DLR & Scott Oldner
Executive Producer Joshua Jones
Photography Ross Redden -
www.taketwoimages.com
Studio
Lot Written by DLR / © 2005 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
Shotgun Annie Written by DLR / © 1991 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
Live
Town Too Tough To Die Written by DLR / © 2005 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
Irrelevant
Uncle Freddie Drove A Tractor Written by DLR / © 2005 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
White Trash Paradise Written by DLR / © 2005 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
Johnny Come Lately Written by Steve Earle / © 1987 Duke of Earle / Goldline Music (ASCAP)
Smuggler's Prayer Written by DLR / © 2005 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
Lorraine Written by DLR / © 2005 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
Truale Written by Sam Baker / © 2004 Blue Limestone Publishing (SESAC)
Texas Music Written by DLR / © 1990 Darryl Lee Rush Music (SESAC)
1. Lot (4:41)
2. Town Too Tough to Die (6:53)
3. Irrelevant (6:02)
4. Uncle Freddie Drove a Tractor (6:43)
5. White Trash Paradise (3:16)
6. Johnny Come Lately (3:39)
7. Smuggler's Prayer (4:21)
8. Lorraine (3:08)
9. Truale (3:54)
10. Texas Music (3:30)
11. Shotgun Annie (4:41)
