Joe Gross-Austin American-Statesman: "Rising Americana star Lisa Hayes asked the crowd if they were ready for some (expletive) kicking music before providing just that."

10 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Americana, COUNTRY: Country Rock



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Austin, TX based artist, Lisa Hayes, has released the much anticipated follow up to her stunning solo debut, Sweet Forgiveness. The new CD, Somewhere Deep In Texas, is a self-penned, self-produced barn burner featuring performances by Cindy Cashdollar, Stephen Bruton, Billy Block and Michael Thompson (currently touring with the Eagles & Don Henley).

When Lisa was ready to record, Grammy nominated engineer Chet Himes offered to engineer and mix the sessions. He had recorded her for the live XM Radio show Threadgillâs World HQâs Armadillo Radio Hour and was captured by her songs, voice and presence. Sitting in the Producerâs chair for the first time, Lisa knew exactly which musicians she wanted to use. She had worked with drummer Billy Block in Nashville and loved his blend of country and rock. Pairing him up with local bass player Jamison Toomey proved to be a formidable rhythm section. âI knew I wanted to bring back multi-instrumentalist Michael Thompson, who had been such a large musical part of Sweet Forgiveness. I threw banjos, accordions, dobros and guitars at the guy. He brilliantly played them all, even down to his kick-ass accordion lead on âFierce Loveâ.â Then she made a phone call she had been waiting to make. âI had been wanting to work with Cindy Cashdollar ever since I saw her with Redd Volkaert a few years back and was thrilled when she said yes! When Stephen Bruton offered to help out any way he could I knew the CD was going to turn out perfect. I had him play lead on the title track and then add mandolin to a few songs. Beautiful playing.â She then asked some of her live band to drop by. Rick Poss played guitar, Patterson Barrett laid down pedal steel and Sean Orr worked his magic on fiddle. Working in her home studio, she engineered her own vocals, background vocals and guitar parts. She then got the songs ready for Chet to mix. The result? Somewhere Deep In Texas re-defines Americana music by mixing it up with roots, rock, country and the incredible voice that is Lisa Hayes.

In 2006 Lisa traveled over 10,000 miles visiting Americana radio stations, performing live both on the air and at venues. Her powerful performances were getting her noticed. Hayesâ entrance into the 2005 Americana Music Conference brought this response from showcase host Billy Block: "Lisa Hayes was the most pleasant surprise at this year's Americana Music Conference. Her presence onstage was riveting as she led her crack band through a set of well crafted and passionately sung originals. A refreshing new talent." At the 2006 AMA Conference, Mark Wehner, host of her Americana Tonight! showcase introduced her by saying: "I know as musician's we think we know everything here in Nashville, and we pretty much do, but every now and then someone from Austin comes in and shows us how it's really done. She's about to do just that - here's Lisa Hayes." In 2007, reviewing the Road To Austin concert, Joe Gross of the Austin American-Statesman wrote: "Rising Americana star Lisa Hayes asked the crowd if they were ready for some (expletive) kicking music before providing just that." Lisa will now be playing throughout Texas promoting her new CD and doing what she does best, tearing it up live.

âIt was a joy to write and record Somewhere Deep In Texas.â Hayes said. âI had moved to Austin at the end of 2004 after leaving behind many things and I feel Iâve come full circle. Quoting my own lyrics: âI carried my heart to where the green grass grows and somewhere deep in Texas, Iâm gonna let her goâ.â