"For those familiar with [Blake] Guthrie's entertaining solo acoustic
performances ... 'Til I Reach the Light' might be something of a revelation. The
fuller arrangements add welcome dimensions to the attitude, slicing wit and
melody that have been in his work all along." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"A strong follow-up to his 'Songs About Chicks' collection, the album
bristles with a Springsteen-esque take on unflinching folk-rock." - Creative
Loafing

Not a bad way to start the fall, even if the Red Sox are out once again...and the Braves. (Go Astros!) Actually, both of the above reviews are from June, which means I have a lot of catching up to do news-wise. So please bear with me for another long post.

Clearly, Blake Guthrie's first studio album has been met with critical acclaim -- from as far abreast as Holland, in fact. Paste Magazine also featured Blake in the DIY section of their October 2005 issue. Speaking of which, Blake and Getaway Car (featuring myself on the bass guitar) will be performing at the Paste Rock 'n' Reel Festival near East Decatur Station here in Atlanta. If you're coming, be sure to purchase tickets through this link so that Blake gets credit.

I spent the summer doing studio renovations with the help of many, many good friends -- or maybe, after all the backbreaking labor I put them through, I should say former friends. But the results speak for themselves. Pictures will be forthcoming, but in a nutshell, the studio has track lights, a new floor and sound treatment in the vocal room, a decked-out mike closet and a new desk. And that's just the beginning.

We had to hurry to get things done on the studio in time to start work on the next big project, for which I can officially let the cat out of the bag: Arlington Priest's first full-length studio record. As anyone who has heard them already know and as audiences throughout the South are learning, Rhett and Jill McAllister have amazing voices and amazing songs, and I'm honored to be playing and working with them. And I really can't wait to be able to sit down and listen to this record when it's all done. It's gonna be a good one.

And speaking of Arlington Priest, be sure to come out to Eddie's Attic next Friday, October 28th, when Rhett, Jill and I will be playing a co-bill with Brother Henry, four regular-looking guys who rock out in a decidedly super-regular fashion (for instance, with the cello of über-producer and stand-up guy David Henry). Buy tickets quick, though...they're selling out.

That's enough for one post. Next time: the bleedin bleedins (international playboys and morning show celebrities), Tim Williams (CMJ darling and music video star), and maybe a picture or two.