CHRIS PATTERSON vocals, acoustic and electric guitars. The bands songwriter is a native of Iowa although he has called sixteen cities home over the past twenty years. Patterson received his first guitar at the age of 8 but claims he didnt learn to play it until he was 30. He carries with him very strong Irish roots and spends a couple weeks each year in Ireland seeking out music and his ancestry. His songwriting is strongly influenced by Tim Easton, Jon Dee Graham, The Waterboys, and Hank Williams.
GARRY CECIL – bass and backing vocals. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cecil was raised in the wee village of Corstorphine. He was raised on British music but when he arrived in America he soon became schooled by Hendrix, Zappa, and Capt. Beefheart. This eventually led Cecil to the country rock movement and later to bluegrass. It was a trip back to Scotland that had him dive head first into the punk/new wave scene. He has played in numerous bands over the years, Non- Dairy Creamers, Gunpoint Affection, and The Swinging Richards , and most recently the highly regarded Primitive Mind, opening for such greats as BB King, Lunasa, Junior Brown, and Doc Watson.
THOR SMITH – drums. Smith is a native of Halden, Norway. He started drum lessons in the first grade and played his first professional gig at twelve years old. After a few years in a Hawaiian show band, Smith moved to New York in the early eighties with an original new wave outfit called Ice Nine. He then spent almost six years with the DC group The Smash Band. Semi-retired from music he was coaxed back into the scene after meeting Chris Patterson and getting hooked on his draft beer at rehearsals and original tunes.
ANDREW BUHLER – electric and pedal steel guitars. Buhler is a proud native of Miami, Florida. He started fooling around with the guitar after his father bought him an LP of Hendrixs Smash Hits at age 10. From Miami to Japan to Cuba, hes been tormenting his family and friends with the instrument ever since.
Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For Additional Information Contact:
Chris Patterson 240.447.9620 [email protected]
LEAVING, TX RELEASES “ANYWHERE ON GOOD ROADS”
MARCH 6th, 2007 (Washington, DC)
While most bands would have struggled with creating a follow-up to a #8 debut CD (100 Miles to Sunday), in less than a years time LEAVING, TX has written and recorded another dozen songs, each one stronger than the next. “ANYWHERE ON GOOD ROADS” was released today on Lucky Range Records and may prove to be the launching pad for the bands inevitable stardom.
Critically acclaimed from the start for the musicianship and songwriting, LEAVING, TX has really come to life in the past year. In February of 2007 the band was nominated for SIX “Wammie” awards (the Washington, DC Musicians Association) including Recording of the Year, Vocalist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. In January the DC local arts and entertainment magazine ONTAP named them as “ON THE VERGE” and featured the band on the cover and with a full story for their annual music issue. Budweiser named the Boys their “True Music Spotlight Artist of the Month” in October of ’06 and including two of their tracks on a compilation CD it put out. With the quality of “ANYWHERE ON GOOD ROADS” it is no telling how far this band may travel. Here is what just a few critics have to say…
“This is a band which deserves to be heard more often.” – alt.country.nl
“One of the strongest contenders to emerge on the alt.country scene in years.” -ONTAP Magazine
“Compared favorably to Drive By Truckers, Reckless Kelly, and Steve Earle… And not with good cause”. -Maverick Magazine
“… a journey where true country gets reconciled with rock and punk. Whiskey, bad women, and bars where you learn about life and know truth… This is the world in which the songs of Leaving, TX take you and obviously a place where the band feels very much at home. Listen up DJ’s and do your thing!” – MazzMusika
Formed in late 2004 by songwriter Chris Patterson, LEAVING, TX has rapidly come to life in the Washington, DC music scene and all across Europe. The band has somewhat of an international flair as Patterson is joined by bassist Garry Cecil (Edinburgh, Scotland), drummer Thor Smith (Halden, Norway), and guitarist Andrew Buhler (Miami, FL). With “Anywhere on Good Roads” this original alt.country outfit delivers a clever blend of twang-rock with a healthy dose of classic country. The album is driven by Patterson’s rugged, in your face vocal style, ripping telecasters, and sweet pedal steel. Anchored by a tight, driving rhythm section, this powerful group of musicians allow Patterson’s songs to shine.
The sound for “Anywhere on Good Roads” was magically captured by up and coming producer/engineer Tony Correlli in his Baltimore based Deep End Studios. The bands growth and Correllli’s influence are quite evident on both the dreamy country ballads and the edgy rockers. The CD seems destined to take the Boys from LEAVING, TX down a very good road.
Additional information and sound files can be found on any of the bands websites.
www.leavingtx.com www.myspace.com/leavingtx www.sonicbids.com/leavingtx2