Prophet Omega Featured on CD Release

Sandy Madaris debut CD Way Back Home" (Waterline Records) features samples from the Prophet Omega, a radio evangelist whose sermons has been incorporated into works by Melissa Etheridge, Adrian Belew and other recording artists.

Waterline Records today released Sandy Madaris debut album Way Back Home" (CD 12200101). This folk/Americana format album features samples of the Prophet Omega, a radio evangelist whose wildly poetic sermons earned him a cult following among entertainers including Billy Bob Thornton, Rodney Crowell, Al Kooper, Adrian Belew, Melissa Etheridge, Marty Stuart, Col. Bruce Hampton, G.E. Smith and The Rolling Stones. The Prophet Omega (now deceased, born Omega Townsend) became famous for broadcasting out of his Nashville apartment; his famous tag lines included I am what I am and that is all I am and I am it" and I feel like a black ant on a black rock on a black night". Bootleg recordings of his broadcasts have become highly prized by music industry insiders and have become a staple on tour busses transporting the likes of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie. He has also become the subject of a documentary film Friends Seen and Unseen" (2001) co-produced by Nashvilles WTVF anchorperson Demetria Kalodimos.

Tommy Spurlock, producer of Sandy Madaris Way Back Home", first became aware of the Prophet Omega as a member of Rodney Crowells touring band in the early 1990s. He decided to incorporate samples of the Prophet into Madaris album after accidentally playing a tape-recorded sermon while mixing Way Back Home."
Spurlock explains: It was spooky. It was like the Prophet was speaking from beyond the grave. Collaborating with us right there in the room. His voice came in just at the break of a song called ‘Hey Hector. The timing, the pitch, were perfect. He was even preaching in the right key!"

This collaboration became a centerpiece of Way Back Home", whose songs were written by Madaris and Luke Powers, a Vanderbilt-educated PhD in English who is also a Nashville songwriter. Brian Ahern and Donivan Cowart (former producer and engineer, respectively, of Emmylou Harris) assisted in the mixing and mastering of Way Back Home"—highlighting the Prophet Omegas contribution.

Songwriter Powers, trained as a folklorist, insisted on giving the Prophet Omega proper songwriting credit on the album. Through filmmaker Kalodimos he contacted the surviving daughter of the Prophet Omega, who was thrilled that her father would be properly credited for authorship after having been included on a number of recordings without the familys knowledge or consent.

Powers, who earned a Masters degree in Folklore from UNC-Chapel Hill, says, It was the right thing to do. I come from a background as a folklorist so Im especially sensitive about properly documenting and crediting a ‘folk performer. I also wanted to make sure that our ‘collaboration with the Prophet was a homage to him rather than exploitative gimmick."

The album is already receiving airplay at a number of folk/Americana radio stations in the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Australia. It is available for purchase at CDBABY.com or the Phoebe Claire Publishing website: www.phoebeclaire.com.

Mike Westerfield of Sisyphustracks.com has written of Way Back Home": This independent production blends elements of Americana, alt country and rock into a heady brew, and features seductive singing that brings to mind Emmylou Harris, well-written songs with decidedly anti-Nashville attitude, and marvelous production from Tommy Spurlock (David Olney, Chip Taylor)."

John Roths, music director of KEOS, says, Mighty fine indeed . . . I am putting this CD into "New Rotation" for all of our acoustic shows."

Belgiums Roots Revival Radio lauds the albums beautiful strong songs."

For more on Sandy Madaris, the Prophet Omega and Way Back Home," see www.phoebeclaire.com.

Press Contact:
Pat Kelley, Phoebe Claire Publishing, LLC      
Tel: 615/210-5703            
Email: phoebeclairepub@hotmail.com

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