Webb Dalton in Studio A with Keith Sykes, Pete Matthews
March 31, 2011 by Daniel J Russo
Filed under Ardent Studios, Artist Spotlight, Featured, In The Studio
Memphis country artist Webb Dalton recently finished tracking his newest endeavor here at Ardent Studios. The CD, entitled (insert tongue firmly in cheek) Mine’s Bigger, will be officially released on April 8th, 2011. Dalton recruited Keith Sykes as co-producer and Ardent Engineer Pete Matthews to round out a thank you list that includes some of Memphis’ finest players: Paul Taylor on bass, Dave Wiggins and Bruce Lester on guitar, Jeff Smith on drums, Chris Stephenson on keys, and Reba Russel, Debbie Jamison and Susanne Jerome Taylor on background vocals.
Co-producer Sykes, a long-time client and friend of Ardent, also co-wrote some of the material on the album. His past credits includes songwriting for the likes of The Judds, Jimmy Buffett, and John Prine, to name a few.
Dalton has had success with past albums and appearances on TNN and CMT. He has had chart success with “At the Drop of a Hat” and a video for the title cut from his last album, “Honk if You Wanna Honky Tonk,” was featured on CMT and GAC. He has opened shows for many artists, including Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, George Strait, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others.
Mine’s Bigger has been several months in the making, and started with co-writing with Keith Sykes and Jimmy Davis. What we have here is a carefully curated collection of songs that show Dalton’s musical influences and reflect his Montgomery, Alabama upbringing: tinges of Jimmy Rodgers, Merle Haggard, Delbert McClinton, with some Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, and Johnny Cash thrown in for good measure.
Dalton’s style of music has been described as “rockabilly honky tonkin’ rock’n'roll.” Although he’s not one to be labeled, Dalton can’t help but agree. Says the man himself: “One of the first things Keith and I did for this CD is write a song called ‘Rockabilly HonkyTonkin’ RockNRoll.’ It seemed natural that we write a song that describes me and my music.”
After recording his last CD in Nashville, TN, it was like a coming home party for Webb to be able to record his new CD in Memphis. And to be able to work with some of Memphis’ finest musicians and singers is special to Dalton as well. “I’m thrilled beyond belief how this project has come together and the folks that have agreed to contribute to this project. Memphis is known for it’s diversity of music worldwide, but only those that live here can truly witness the Memphis music family that makes Memphis music what it is.”
We couldn’t agree more.
The release of Mine’s Bigger will be accompanied by a performance on WREG’s Live at Nine in Memphis, followed by a CD release party at Wet Willie’s on Beale Street in downtown Memphis.
(In the photo, L to R: Co-producer Keith Sykes, Webb Dalton, and engineer Pete Matthews)
