Author's note: One of the music sites I write for has purged more than 50,000 stories from his database as part of its "overall," and unfortunately, some of the stories its deleted were stories I penned that were popular with readers. In turn, I will be posting several of these deleted stories here on my personal blog so readers still have access to them. ... Thanks for reading.

Country music's Eric Durrance scores with debut

With production support from Teddy Gentry, co-founder of country super-group Alabama, new artist Eric Durrance has leapt onto the CMT video scene and U.S. country charts.

Country singer-songwriter Eric Durrance is no stranger to the Billboard charts, thanks to his past radio success with the now-disbanded Big Dismal, a Christian-rock act that was named one of "Five Christian Bands on the Rise" by Rolling Stone and hit No. 3 on the Christian charts with itsReality single.

In spite of the group’s positive fan and radio reception and the critical acclaim of its May 2003Believe album for Wind-Up Records, Big Dismal disbanded in ’07 and its members, including frontman Durrance, moved on to other musical projects.

New Country Music CD Lands on Billboard Country Charts

These days, the Florida-reared lead singer/guitarist is again making the music scene, but this time, on the country music charts with his debut solo CD and its first single, both titled Angels Fly Away, that was released digitally Sept. 16, 2008, by Wind-Up’s Nashville division. The 11-song album landed in the No. 70 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Albums during the first week of November.

For some, the move from Christian to country music might seem like an attempt to take advantage of the youth-infused wave of new country hitmakers that Nashville seems to be riding. But for Durrance, who grew up on a Tallahassee farm with both gospel and country music influences, the jump to his label’s Nashville side is merely a natural progression.

Growing up, the self-taught musician "learned to play a little bit of everything,” he has said. “My stepfather was a drummer, guitarist, piano player and one heck of a singer, and my mom and grandfather taught me to sing harmony.

“My grandparents … they’re strong and faithful individuals who taught me to be honest and follow my heart and they just love George Jones,” he added. “So I’m at home in country."

New Country Singer Boasts Big-Name Producer Backing

Durrance’s new album, Angels Fly Away, has big-name talent behind it, with producer credit from Teddy Gentry, a founding member of Alabama who’s worked with country group Emerson Drive, and Mark Bright, who’s produced contemporary country stars Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood, among others.

"I’m really a songwriter first and I always put the song first,” Durrance shared, recalling the recording experience. “Teddy and I were completely in tune with one another when it came to selecting the right songs for this project. He’s helped us to put together a strong collection of musical stories that I think will turn the listeners’ ear and then they’ll hear it with heart.

"Like good wine, Teddy taught me that a good country song has to ‘breathe.’ I learned the importance of ‘tension and release,’” he continued. "When I worked with Mark, he pushed me to my full potential; I really learned to stretch my vocal range and his philosophy is to ‘mark’ your music. …"

Getting the chance to work with Gentry and Bright was a boon for Durrance, but the project, in a sense, was bittersweet since his former manager, Dan Goodwin, was killed in a motorcycle accident in December 2007. The new country hitmaker, who likens their partnership to a “father/son” relationship, has shared that the current CD “captures everything” he and Godwin worked toward. In turn, Durrance dedicated Angels Fly Away to his late manager.

"He gave me freedom and reined me in to guide me when I needed it,” Durrance revealed. “From a business perspective, he watched out for my best interests and reminded me to listen to my heart; from a personal perspective, he was my ‘heart and soul’ manager. This CD has Dan’s spirit throughout."

Country Songs Come that Come from the Heart

Influenced by the harmonious sounds of The Eagles and the in inherent lyrical simplicity of tunesmiths such as Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, Durrance professed that he writes music from the heart.

“I like to write music that puts body and soul out there and has a magical way of saying what everyone feels. I like to be real and I believe a good, honest song is the key to an artist’s success."

Recently, Country Music Television recognized Durrance’s country-fan appeal and tapped the new guy on the block to serve as the opener on the CMT on Tour ’08 bill, with headliner Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum.

CMT Tour Earns Durrance Country Fans, Country Music Video Success

Although the CMT bill afforded Durrance and his six-man band only 20 minutes on stage each night, the versatile artist made the most of his spotlight time and earned a bevy of new country fans during the 20-date tour. As evidence, just-released music video, Turn It Off, is featured on CMT and a fan favorite, including a live-version video.

“The tour has gone great,” Durrance said in a recent interview with Suite 101. “I feel like I have grown so much since it started. Lady A and Jason Aldean have been a pleasure to work with … (and) next for me is some good time at home with the family. “But I have to say, the CMT tour has been a dream come true in so many ways. I’ve really done a lot of soul searching and growing as a person and artist; that’s what the road does to you.”

Sources
Big Dismal, Wikipedia entry, Accessed Nov. 22, 2008.
Eric Durrance, artist bio. Courtesy of Wind-Up Records.
Personal communication, Eric Durrance, Nov. 19, 2008.

CMT artist Eric Durrance and Tobacco Road offer new 'Stiff Drink' single as free download June 25-27

CMT artist Eric Durrance and Tobacco Road offer new 'Stiff Drink' single as free download June 25-27

Stiff Drink music video by Tobacco Road featuring Eric Durrance

Country stars hit the runway for June 10 fashion show

Come June 10, a fashion-savvy lineup of country-music artists will take a break from their respective touring trails, songwriting and recording to hit the fashion runway in the name charity.

Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon, 120 2nd Ave. North, is the site for the upcoming 2009 Country Weekly Fashion Show and Concert, which his sponsored annually by country-entertainment magazine Country Weekly. And this year’s show ‘n’ shindig will benefit Musicians on Call, a 10-year-old organization that was created with the mission of bringing recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities to enhance the healing process.

In addition to Country Weekly, now in its 15th year of publication, the 2009 fashion event will be sponsored by Durango, Lifetime Networks and Chevy. In turn, clothing and boots from Durango, Flavour boutique and Wrangler will be featured on the runway.

“We are truly excited and anxious for our Country Weekly Fashion Show and Concert to kick off June.10,” said the on-deadline Larry Holden, editor in chief of the magazine, during an interview via e-mail. “This is our third year to sponsor the show and we’ve got an array of country stars—from legends to newcomers—ready to walk the fashion runway.”

Chuck Wicks, Jessica Harp and GAC's Suzanne Alexander will co-host this year’s event, with a fashion-forward-meets-country-styled talent lineup that will include Keith Anderson, Chris Young, John Michael Montgomery, Mark Wills, Adam Gregory, Trent Willmon, Emily West, Aaron Tippin and Thea Tippin, Sarah Buxton, Trent Tomlinson, Jennifer Hanson, Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys, Eric Durrance, Bo Bice, Katie Armiger, Joey + Rory, Whitney Duncan, The Roys, Crystal Shawanda, Megan Mullins, Justin Moore, Dean Brody, Mica Roberts, Carter’s Chord, Bomshel, Jypsi, LoCash Cowboys, Krista Marie, Love & Theft and last but not least, Brad Cotter.

“Our three co-hosts—Chuck Wicks, Jessica Harp and GAC’s Suzanne Alexander—are key reasons for fans to come to the show,” Holden said. “And the icing on the cake is that the event goes to help a great charity—Musicians On Call. … This is our third year to sponsor the show and we’ve got an array of country stars—from legends to newcomers—ready to walk the fashion runway.”

Among this year's first-time country artists-turned-models is Flordia native Durrance, whose latest single, "Turn It Off," rose to No. 17 in popularity on GAC's fan-voted, music-video countdown. Now based in Nashville, the talented singer-songwriter has been busy recording music for his next release, but he's more than happy to take a break to participate in this year's CW-sponsored fashion show.

"I don't know that I am much of a model, but I'm going to give it my best shot," he said in a recent interview. "It's for a great cause, Musicians On Call, and when it comes down to it, that's what this is all about—teaming to help others where you can. I'm excited to take part, honored to have been invited and ready to give it my all!"

Doors for this year’s show will open at 11 a.m. and the fashion-related festivities officially get under way beginning at noon.

Tickets: Special VIP tickets in the front row areas and prime runway seating are almost sold out, Holden reported. However, a limited number of $125 runway tickets and $50 reserved tickets near the runway are available.

Also available for purchase is a table in the event’s “Music Row” section, which is a row of premium tables behind the runway seats. These tables are $750 and include eight seats, name recognition from the stage, appetizers from the Wildhorse Saloon and two buckets of domestic beer.

For more info: For more information or to purchase VIP tickets, go to www.countryweekly.com/fashionshow or call 212-741-2709. General admission seating is on sale now through TicketMaster.

To view Durrance and two of his bandmates performing a live-acoustic version of "Turn It Off," please click here. (You'll like it, so come on, do it!)

Country music's Eric Durrance shares uncut songs on MCS site

Country newcomer Eric Durrance, who made waves as of late on the country charts with Angels Fly Away, his debut country music CD for Wind-Up Records, has posted new music on his My Country Space artist site for those who’d like to be among the first to give it a listen.

The Florida native recently wrapped up a stint as the opening act for headliner Jason Aldean and Grammy-nominated Lady Antebellum on the CMT on Tour '08 show, and according to an e-mail, he’s spending the holiday season with family and friends (and apparently penning songs) before hitting the touring trail again in 2009.

In a recent phone interview, Durrance shared that losing his home to a fire in November, while he was on the CMT tour, inspired one of his newest songs, These Old Fences. To check out a fine selection of his brand-spankin’-new original, unreleased music, just access his page at MCS via www.mycountryspace.com/ericdurrance.

“As a songwriter, it is very hard to get your music out there,” shared Durrance. “The wheels turn slow on Music Row! So I have added some new songs (to MCS) that I have written in the last few weeks to give you all a look into my life as a writer.

“These are songs that I’ve written on my own” he continued, “and I hope that some artist or producer would like to record them someday. They are songs that I have lived and I hope it can relate to others as well. …”

As a huge fan of stripped-down, unplugged production, where the raw vocal talent can shine through and the song can take center stage, this sneak preview from Durrance is right up this writer’s alley. After all, if you can get an artist out of the studio, away from all the bells and whistles that can virtually promise a good sound, and said singer can still deliver—well then, you have something goin’ on. And the acoustic backdrop on these tracks, with just the purity of the singer’s voice, is a winner, from Tomorrow’s Rain (which could easily fit in with a Keith Urban set list) to These Old Fences, a thought-provoking offering about something those of us from the country grew up around.

Treat yourself by checking out Eric's newly penned tunes. For this writer, the new music he's written far outshines the tunes his label led him to record on his country debut.

P.S. Eric's Street Team asks all to PLEASE vote for Eric's current video and single, Turn it Off, in GAC's Top 20 Countdown each day. You can vote once daily, and they really need your help. To vote, please visit www.gactv.com.