Smith & Wesley Present "Choices & Chances" on Debut CD, Coming July 17 on Garage Door Records; CD Release Party Show Set for Nashville's City Winery on July 28

Smith & Wesley Present Choices & Chances on Debut CD, Coming July 17 on Garage Door Records

CD Release Party Show Set for Nashville’s City Winery on July 28

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Chattanooga-based Garage Door Records announces a July 17 release date for the label debut from country music group Smith & Wesley, Choices & Chances, distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution. The band will celebrate Choices & Chances with a special a CD release show at the City Winery in Nashville on Tuesday, July 28 (www.citywinery.com/nashville).

Based out of the North Georgia/Chattanooga, Tennessee area, Smith & Wesley have already developed an extensive loyal fan base throughout the region, as evidenced by their headlining the Unum Stage at last week’s Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga.

Smith & Wesley is led by brothers, Scott and Todd Smith, who changed the name of the group from the Brody Johnson Band to its current moniker as a tribute to their father, Wes, who passed away recently. In addition to Scott on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Todd on acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocal harmonies, the rest of the lineup includes keyboard player Greg Gordy,  Steve and Josh Pettyjohn on electric guitars, Dee Callihan on bass and Brad Thompson on drums. All of the musicians in the band have strong family or personal connections, which helps create the special musical interplay that is a hallmark of their sound. With influences ranging from traditional country, bluegrass and folk music to southern rock, Smith & Wesley have crafted a unique, powerful sound that makes casual listeners instant fans.

Produced by Shayne Hill, Choices & Chances was recorded at Beach Street Studio, Watershed Studio and Mainframe Studio in Nashville. The extra musicians on the sessions each brought their own special talents to the songs they play on, giving them a solid foundation throughout. Danny Shirley, lead singer for multi-platinum sellers Confederate Railroad, joins in as a special guest on “Country Dreams,” the album’s closing song. The seamless harmonies of Scott and Todd come from a mix that only a brotherly bond can do, bringing depth and richness to their vocals.

Scott and Todd Smith have either individually or collectively written most of the songs on Choices & Chances. The 11 songs on the album are at once personal, yet universal in their appeal. “The new CD was recorded to be heard as a listening experience from start to finish,” says Scott Smith. “The first part of the album is about decisions made and the repercussions from those decisions.” Adds his brother Todd: “Whether it is betrayal, bad habits or questionable decision making, most of these types of choices often have less than favorable results. As the journey proceeds, the songs lend themselves to better moods, courtship, love and reflection; thus proving there is a chance of a better tomorrow out there.  However, life would be boring without both Choices & Chances.”

About “Need Somebody Bad,” the first single from the CD, Todd Smith explains: “Everyone has been part of a relationship which ended in a breakup. Regardless of who made the decision or if it was amicable or not, breakups just aren’t fun. Whether you want to call it a rebound situation or just a one night stand, ‘Need Somebody Bad’ speaks to that feeling and about trying to forget about it.”

“Some of the more upbeat songs on the album such as ‘Whiskey,’ ‘Roll on Smoothly,’ and ‘Bottle’s Half Full,’ lend themselves to telling a story of good times that were carried a little too far,” offers Scott Smith.

“And I guess you could say that ‘Prove My Love,’ ‘You’re the One’ and ‘I Love Loving You’ represent our tender side,” Todd says with a smile. “I’ve had guys come up and tell me they enjoy these ballads as much as our up-tempo songs because they remind them of their own situation, or they’re everything they wanted to say to their wives or girlfriends. I guess everyone needs a little tenderness.”  

Scott Smith calls “Country Dreams,” the last track on the album, “the most personal song on the album to me. I will always be thankful that our father, Wes Smith, introduced Todd and me to the country classics and all the legends in country music at an early age. ‘Country Dreams’ is a tribute to those legends and the influence they have had on our passion, thus allowing us to be fortunate enough to do what we love to do...play music and share it with as many folks that will listen.”

Garage Door Records and Blue Room Management Sign North Georgia-Based Country Group, Smith & Wesley, with New CD Expected for Release in July; Band Set to Play Riverbend Festival on Friday June 12

Garage Door Records and Blue Room Management Sign North Georgia-Based Country Group, Smith & Wesley, with New CD Expected for Release in July

Band Set to Play Riverbend Festival on Friday June 12

CHATTANOOGA, TN - Chattanooga-based Garage Door Records and Blue Room Management announce the signing of North Georgia-based country music group Smith & Wesley to label and management contracts. Garage Door Records, which is distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution, will release the group’s debut album, Choices & Chances, in July.

Smith & Wesley will soon announce special release shows to celebrate the new album, and are also set to play the acclaimed Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga on Friday, June 12.

(Photo Credit: Joe Killion)

Based out of the North Georgia/Chattanooga, Tennessee area, the Smith & Wesley sound is driven by two brothers, Scott and Todd Smith. Scott carries the lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar. His brother, Todd, also plays acoustic guitar, as well as harmonica and provides vocal harmony. Part of the band’s sound comes from their kinship, which provides the depth and richness to the vocals of Smith & Wesley.  Both Scott and Todd are also songwriters.  The two brothers have either individually or together written most of the songs on Choices & Chances.

Formerly known as the Brody Johnson Band, the group posted a recent Facebook message to its fans announcing the new band name. “This new chapter will bring about some changes to the band - starting with the name. Some of you know that Scott’s and Todd’s dad, Wes Smith, recently passed on and went to see the man upstairs. In honor of him, the Brody Johnson Band will now be known as Smith & Wesley. There will be some other changes here and there, but the music will remain the same. We have some other exciting things to announce in the coming weeks and months ahead, and we sincerely appreciate everyone who has come out to support the Brody Johnson Band these past few years. Please stick with us as we start the next leg of our musical journey as Smith & Wesley!”

Growing up, the two brothers were required by their parents to take piano lessons if they wanted to play sports in school. Thus, the multiple sport duo began playing piano at an early age. It wasn’t too long before their interest transformed from instruments with keys to those with strings. Scott Smith is a self-taught musician with the guitar, mandolin, banjo, and Dobro, and has a particular interest in bluegrass and classic country music. Scott started the band in 2009, with most of the current members joining in 2010.

Much like his brother, and the other band members, Todd Smith is no stranger to the music scene. He has been actively playing music for years, as well as been a member of another band which tried its hand at scoring a record deal, but fell just short. Before forming Smith & Wesley with his brother, Todd previously landed an artist development deal as a solo artist with a major record label. 

The rest of the musicians in Smith & Wesley all have strong family and personal connections that run much deeper than just playing music. Keyboard player Greg Gordy went to high school with both Scott and Todd. The father-and-son team of Steve and Josh Pettyjohn are on electric guitars, trading lead and rhythm roles; and on bass is Dee Callihan, who is part of the Pettyjohn family by marriage. On drums is long-time friend of the guys in the band, Brad Thompson.  

Collectively, they bring talents and experiences from all ends of the musical spectrum, and those diverse influences are honed into a driving country sound that never fails to have concert goers singing and dancing along with them from the very beginning.

“The upcoming CD, Choices & Chances, was recorded to be heard as a listening experience from start to finish,” says Scott Smith. “The first part of the album is about decisions made and the repercussions from those decisions.” Adds his brother Todd: “Whether it be betrayal, bad habits or questionable decision making, most of these types of choices often have less than favorable results. As the journey proceeds, the songs lend themselves to better moods, courtship, love and reflection; thus proving there is a chance of a better tomorrow out there.  However, life would be boring without both Choices & Chances.”

For more information, visit www.garagedoorrecords.com

Garage Door Records - Shanytown - Shanytown (self-titled) - New Release Review

I just received the new self-titled release from Shanytown and it hits like a chainsaw! Opening with Redneck, a track with plenty of grit and swagger, these descendents of the Van Zant family and Lynyrd Skynyrd are cutting a new path in southern rock. Oh, the guitar is there and the pounding beat is there but this has a sound all of it's own. Featuring Ronnie Morris on guitar and lead vocal, Robbie Morris on drums, Kevin Williams on guitars and vocals and Charles Moody these guys are hitting the road running. Buddy Harrington plays fiddle on this opener giving it a country flavor. Peace Of Mind is a rock ballad well suited for airplay. With it's southern story line and harmonic vocals it may call to mind even moreso, Marshall Tucker Band, again but with a new spin. Mexico has a real heavy bass and growl on guitar having a strong metal or garage influence but not leaving the southern rock stream. Shany Town has a cool guitar riff and a sound reminiscent of I Ain't The One with a lot of spunk and country kick. Brother is a slower ballad with vocal doubling and stinging guitar riffs again with more of a heavy overtone and finely articulated guitar arpeggios. Fishing is another radio bound track with a taste of John Mellencamp. Key southern rock clues are ever present in the rhythm patterns and guitar riffs but the sound is fresh. One More Night opens with vocals over arpegiated chords and a sound space backing but develops into a full rocker sounding like 38 Special at it's best. Loud Pipes is a road driver with a solid bottom and some of the flashiest guitar work on the release. Justin's Song is another track that could easily find favorable airplay. These guy have a knack for keeping the sting in a memorable tune. Wrapping the release, Lost Souls displays some really fat slide work making this easily the my favorite track on the release.

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SHANYTOWN IS KEEPING THE LEGEND ALIVE ON NEW SELF-TITLED CD FROM GARAGE DOOR RECORDS; VAN ZANT NEPHEWS RONNIE AND ROBBIE MORRIS CARRY ON SOUTHERN ROCK BAND TRADITION

SHANYTOWN IS KEEPING THE LEGEND ALIVE ON NEW SELF-TITLED CD FROM GARAGE DOOR RECORDS

VAN ZANT NEPHEWS RONNIE AND ROBBIE MORRIS CARRY ON SOUTHERN ROCK BAND TRADITION

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Growing up Southern – or from anywhere else on the globe for that matter - true fans of rock and roll know all about the history of the Van Zant family of Jacksonville, Florida. Known as the “First family of Southern Rock,” they have thus far produced three landmark groups: Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special and the Johnny Van Zant Band. Now, there is a proud new addition from Southern Rock’s first family, a hot new band called Shanytown, who’ve released their debut album self-titled CD on Garage Door Records.

Shanytown is led by “Lil Ronnie” Morris (lead vocals/guitar) and Robbie Morris (drums), both nephews of the late Ronnie Van Zant, as well as Donnie and Johnny Van Zant. Ronnie and Robbie Morris’ musical roots run deep and like their uncles they are the real deal. In fact, Robbie spent 15 years drumming in the Johnny Van Zant Band before stepping out to form his own group with his brother, Ronnie, as well as Kevin Williams (rhythm/lead guitars/vocals), Charles Moody (bass) and Tommy Bluestreetcar (yes, that is his name), who joined the band shortly after the album was recorded (rhythm/lead guitars/vocals).

In the last few years, Shanytown has carved its own musical path, known primarily through their explosive live performances and lyrical song-styling. Wherever the band has played, they’ve left audiences with a sense of fulfillment rarely seen or offered by any of today’s entertainers.  Now, the Jacksonville-based Shanytown has successfully captured their powerful live sound in the studio to bring audiences their debut album, Shanytown.

Shanytown’s musical influences are so diverse that the sounds created when they come together are truly unique.  As musicians they excel, as writers they push the very boundaries of Southern Rock with astonishing results, as evidenced by the 11 highly-combustible tracks on the band’s new CD.

The new CD is a treasure of contemporary Southern Rock propelled by the blistering vocal performance of Ronnie Morris; driven by the rock-solid rhythm section of Robbie Morris and Charles Moody; and fueled by the twin guitar assault of Ronnie and Kevin Williams’ fretwork to produce an original, contemporary sound that could only be created by Shanytown.

Already a hit at radio stations around the world, this stunning collection of original Southern Rock is being released worldwide on the American independent label, Garage Door Records. And the Van Zant legacy continues...

For more information, visit www.garagedoorrecords.com.