Atlanta's "Best Blues Act" Records Her First Album

Donna Hopkins, recently selected Atlanta's Best Blues Act, records her first album at Tree Sound in Norcross, Georgia. Yonrico Scott of the Derek Trucks Band sits in on drums and percussion.

For Immediate Release

For Information Contact:
Ron Currens, Artist Manager
Phone: (770) 457-7505
Fax: (253) 540-0554
Email: rcurrens@attbi.com
Photos available on request

Atlanta's "Best Blues Act" Records Her First Album

Following up on her selection by Atlanta Magazine as Atlanta's Best Blues Act, Donna Hopkins has laid down the tracks for her first CD, titled Free To Go, at Tree Sound Studios in Norcross, Georgia. Comprised of nearly all original tunes, Donna's CD is expected to be available in February, 2003.

A frequent performer in venues around Atlanta and the South with her own band -- the Donna Hopkins Band -- Donna has been garnering a great deal of attention from music fans and the media. This much-anticipated first album ("the one I've been waiting for," she says) will be a showcase of her gutsy vocals, her amazing guitar playing, and her formidable song-writing skills. The Donna Hopkins Band consists of the talented Kevin Thomas on B-3 and Wurlitzer and the rock solid Cindy Adler on bass, along with special guest Yonrico Scott from the Derek Trucks Band on drums and percussion.

Donna aims for a raw, old-school approach to the blues, armed only with an old Gibson Les Paul Custom and a vintage Ampeg tube amp. Her current axe was acquired earlier this year and named Beulah May after her grandmother who taught her to sing "I'll Fly Away." Donna learned that spiritual on her grandmother's knee when she was three years old, and it is included on the album in a special arrangement by Donna in her honor -- she passed away unexpectedly just three days after Donna named her guitar.

Co-producing the album with Donna is noted Atlanta music man Bryan Cole (Francine Reed, Sandra Hall, Jimmy Dawkins, The Shadows), and engineering is by Tree Sounds' Robert Hannon. Recorded at Tree Sounds historic Studio 11, this album promises to be a breakthrough for the talented, hard-working single mom. Daughter India -- at age 6 already a veteran performer -- adds vocals to "Everything Money Can't Buy." Keeping it in the family, the CD also includes a bonus Hank Williams Jr. tune, "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," featuring Donna's grandfather on vocals and guitar and accompanied by Donna on acoustic guitar, Mark Van Allen on pedal steel, and Vassar Clements on fiddle.

Performing since age 14, Donna has blossomed since she began playing lead electric guitar. She has a very clear idea of what she wants her sound to be, and she has managed to create a unique identity for herself. In a field crowded with guitar-slingers, her style stands out -- she has the very rare ability to play with her heart.

This is a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul -- to hear her is to love her. Fans everywhere will now be able to find out for themselves why everyone is talking about Donna Hopkins.

For more information about Donna Hopkins contact Ron Currens: 4603 Holliston Road, Atlanta, GA. 30360-2033; call: (770) 457-7505; fax: (253) 540-0554; or visit www.donnahopkins.com.

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