SUZY BOGGUSS: A NEW LABEL, A NEW ALBUM...

SWING CO-PRODUCED BY AND FEATURES RAY BENSON OF ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 17 RELEASE ON COMPADRE RECORDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2003

HOUSTON, Texas -- Suzy Bogguss has signed with Compadre Records (distributed by RED, marketed by Emergent) and has completed her first new album in three years, Swing, which will hit the streets on June 17. The album, which is co-produced by Bogguss with Asleep At The Wheel frontman Ray Benson, marks a musical departure for Bogguss with its Western swing and traditional jazz inflections.

In addition to Bensons instinctive guitar playing, the album features present members of Asleep At The Wheel (Jason Roberts, fiddle; David Sanger, drums) and past members (Floyd Domino, piano; Spencer Starnes, bass and John Mills, sax and clarinet.) The project was recorded at Bensons Bismeaux Studio in Austin, Texas.

The album showcases Suzys flawless vocals on a variety of songs by writers including Duke Ellington ("Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me"), Nat King Cole ("Straighten Up And Fly Right"), and a couple of classics best known from recordings by Billie Holiday and Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks, ("Comes Love" and "Sweetheart" respectively.) The collection also contains two new classics written by Paul Kramer, a veteran of Bogguss band, plus a co-write by Kramer and Bogguss, along with five new songs by burgeoning Nashville singer/songwriter, April Barrows. Bogguss became aware of Barrows while recording her much-acclaimed Christmas album in 2000. Session musician David Hungate made the introduction when he learned that Bogguss was gravitating to a swing sound for her next album.

The production partnership with Benson came about as a result of a more unusual story. Bogguss dreamt that she and Asleep At The Wheel took a madcap tour bus ride together on the way to the Grammys. Upon awakening, it became evident to her that she needed to make a record with long-time friend, Benson. She called him and the project became a reality.

Suzy recalls, "I originally envisioned this as a duet album with 'The Wheel, but after hearing Aprils songs, Ray and I decided that this needed to be a singers album."

According to Compadre Records president Brad Turcotte, "Suzy has recorded a beautiful record and it hurts none that she is one of the most talented people that I have ever met."

"I looked around a long time for a label that did things a little differently," says Suzy. "Im really excited about working with Compadre because of their fresh perspective on the business along with their passion for the music."

ABOUT COMPADRE RECORDS
Houston- and Nashville-based Compadre Records was created to promote roots music. Its artists include Suzy Bogguss, Billy Joe Shaver (whose Compadre album sat atop the Americana Airplay Chart for eight weeks), Townes Van Zandt, Gary P. Nunn, Mike McClure and Billy Ray Reynolds. Compadres principals include Brad Turcotte and Logan Rogers.

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For more information on Suzy Bogguss, please contact The Baker/Northrop Media Group:
Cary Baker (818) 986-5200       cary@bakernorthrop.com

For the latest word on Suzy Bogguss, or to order the album, visit
http://www.bogguss.com
http://www.compadrerecords.com
http://www.bakernorthrop.com

"I don't like hot dogs and I don't like anchovies. I don't like people who say there are too many guitar players in the world, and I especially don't like singers who sneak up on their notes. But I like Suzy Bogguss... she is always in the tone center, her voice sparkles like crystal water and     she ain't all that bad looking boys and girls -- she's only one of the best."    
-- Chet Atkins