Blue Mother Tupelo: Wha's New w BMT

Blue Mother Tupelo
heaven & earth
Diggin’ Music

Some artists just cannot be kept down – they are irrepressible. Their years of traveling the roads of the South, playing anywhere they can and writing and performing some of the best tunes that two people can possibly put together eventually will show even the best critics and record labels that they are truly a force to be reckoned with. So it is with Blue Mother Tupelo, the husband and wife team of Ricky & Micol Davis of Hendersonville, TN. With this CD, self-produced and laden with a couple of friends, they have made one of the finest CDs I have heard this year. For the blues fans out there—you will take the Blues wherever you find it and realize that this music is true and, also, a product of the Southern fried tradition.

While not a Blues album per se, you just can’t get away from the fact that here are some great songs of love, faith, friendship, wandering and longing and beauty. From the mountains of Appalachia to Biloxi, from Clarksdale and Otha Turner’s farm to Tupelo and then to the hills and mountains of Tennessee this work is in the true American songwriting tradition.

These nice people have been together since meeting in Knoxville, Tn as college students. Their devotion to each other and to their musical life is so obvious in their songs; this CD proves you CAN DO IT YOURSELF. Produced, engineered and mixed in their home studio, they are true indie singer-songwriters that have put forth a thing of beauty. I predict some great things for Blue Mother Tupelo. Pick up the CD and Do Not miss them when they perform live.

(C) 2009, Gary W. Miller

BluesSource.com

(Available from their website – www.bluemothertupelo.com)
Or Contact me direct at bluessource. We carry it in stock

Heaven & Earth features 14 songs, with 12 original songs penned by Micol & Ricky Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo. BMT also performs the classic spiritual, "Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down". A Jesse Winchester penned song called, "Biloxi". And a Jessie Mae Hemphill song within a medley featured on this new album called, "Hard Times.

Micol & Ricky teamed up with Craig Fuller (of The Pure Prairie League & Littlefeat; and writer/singer of the classic PPL song, "Amie") to co-write the soulful love song, "Hand In Hand" featured on Heaven & Earth. The Davis duo also co-wrote the rockin', "Goin' Down Midnight", with John Scott Sherrill (who's written several hits: "Some Fools Never Learn" - Steve Wariner, "How Long Gone" - Brooks & Dunn, "Nothin' But the Wheel" - Patty Loveless, "Church on Cumberland Road" - Shenandoah, "If I Didn't Know Any Better" - Alison Krauss to name a few).

All the instruments & vocals were played, sang and recorded by Ricky & Micol Davis at their home studio and Heaven & Earth is produced by Ricky Davis & co-produced by Micol Davis. There are some very special friends of the Davis' featured on this album. The late Otha Turner and his grand-daughter, Sharde Thomas, along with the Rising Star Fife & Drum Band join Blue Mother Tupelo on the song, "Give It Away". Molly Thomas plays beautiful violins on, "The War". Charlie Worsham (of Kingbilly) joins in on banjo on "Tupelo" and mandolin on "Gustard Bellue". Johnny Richardson (BMT's former drummer who also drums for Lee Roy Parnell and Jimmy Wayne) plays a cajon on "Hand In Hand". Rick Lonow (who's also drummed for BMT and Johnny Cash, June Carter-Cash, The Flying Buritto Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Bellamy Brothers) plays drums along with Ricky Davis on "High In The Sky". Robin Roller plays banjo, Sarah Pirkle plays fiddle and even the extended Davis family joins in when the nieces & nephews, Richard Davis (Ricky's dad), and even the Davis pet dog Gus all join in to howl, pick 'n' sing on "Gustard Bellue", rounding out the soulful new Heaven & Earth by Blue Mother Tupelo.

Heaven & Earth was mastered by Bob Ohlsson (who mastered at the legendary Motown Records, working on Marvin Gaye's What's Going On album as well as many of Stevie Wonder's biggest hits & most everything that was recorded there from 1968-1973; many more hits from 1973 - present from San Francisco to Nashville; he also mastered the audio of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech).

Boogie 'n' celebrate with Blue Mother Tupelo at these CD Release Jubilees - celebrating the brand new CD, "Heaven & Earth"!

Mississippi CD Release Jubilee Saturday, May 2 at The Pickled Okra in Cleveland, Mississippi at 9:30pm!

Tennessee CD Release Jubilees: at The Shed in Maryville, Tennessee on Friday, May 8 at 7:00pm & at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, Tennessee on Mother's Day-night Sunday, May 10 at 8:00pm!

Hey All Y'all!

I was just workin' & got to thinkin' that I wanted to share with you that we have a BRAND NEW RECORDING that's gonna be released in MAY!!! That's 2 months away ... May 2009 ... mercy me, that's soon!

We're working on the finishing touches 'cause we want it to be real good. Our last studio recording was 2001's Delta Low ~ Mountain High, so this new one's been a long time comin'. You probably already have your copy of Delta Low ~ Mountain High, but just in case you don't, we've got you, your brothers & sisters, & all your best friends one just waitin' to be bought. Check out http://bluemothertupelo.com/products.html & it's really easy to get our music ... we'll be honored to fill your ears & souls AND it'll help us keep on keepin on.

Our new CD is called Heaven and Earth. We've really poured ourselves into this one ... Blood, sweat & tears, smiles & laughter have gone into this creation and this music has become the soundtrack of our lives over the last "few" years. In fact, they are reflective of our lives and it would be an indescribable honor to become part of the soundtrack of yours.

Celebrating would not be as fun without YOU ...
The BMT CD Release Jubilees are set & you can bet that there'll be some real life fun lovin' times to be had in May!! Check our line-up here on myspace or on BMT's OFFICIAL website @ www.bluemothertupelo.com. And there's a lot of other information on the website that's fun and entertaining while you're getting your dates scheduled for the BMT CD Release Jubilees. Of course, we love seeing you every opportunity that we can, so be sure to show up ANY OL' TIME! march, april, may, june .... always and forever.

Your kind support means so much to us! YOU are so important to us and we want you to know that being able to sing & play our music for y'all is the best thing in the world ... it's better than chocolate covered strawberries or lowcountry boil or the coldest beer in town.

So, this is a "thank you" for staying in touch, and it's full-up with love for you & the time we've spent together through these occasions, nights, moments, years. Can't wait to see you real soon! Don't forget, our new CD called Heaven and Earth will be here soon & you can celebrate it's release with us!!
peace&allgoodthings,
Micol

p.s. Be a BMT FAN on Facebook! At www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Mother-Tupelo/32146913315

And to see this original blogpost on myspace: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=42515573&blogId=474035672

Blue Mother Tupelo's live performance from Jammin' At Hippie Jack's will air TONIGHT 3/19/09 on WCTE PBS TV .....channel 22 into Nashville on Direct TV and Dish Network at 7:30pm - 8:00pm (central time) .....also on cable throughout the Cumberland Plateau. And it will Jack Stoddart. Blue Mother Tupelo had the fun honor of performing at the Jammin' At Hippie Jack's music festival in & BMT's performance is now being aired throughout the United States on various public television affiliates.

Contact YOUR PBS Station for schedule ... and if you don't see Blue Mother Tupelo on your local PBS Station's schedule, please contact them and ask them to show Jammin at Hippie Jack's & Blue Mother Tupelo! Hopefully we'll get to meet you through that television screen!

Jammin at Hippie Jack's mission is the preservation of traditional Americana Roots music from original singer/songwriters and to expose current viewers and future generations to a genre of insider musicians not readily available through pop culture.



Thanks y'all!
Ricky & Micol Davis

BLUE MOTHER TUPELO

Hey yall,

During the the moments when we've not been traveling our country's highways 'n' byways performing live at festivals, nightclubs and house concerts for all y'all good folks who've joined us this year, we've been in our studio, havin' a blast & hard at work on our newest studio recording!
These new songs are comin' together in a mighty cool way & we're so excited for you to hear 'em ...
Look for our brand new CD comin' up in May 2009!!!
It's been a long time comin, that's fo sho!

Yall check back often to find out when it'll be available for YOU.

In the meantime, a few months back, we put together a new live CD called
Love Live - 5 Songs From The Road, which includes some of our favorite live cuts from some of our favorite venues.
Be sure to pick one or two up from the BMT Store!

Sendin' out lots of love ~
Micol & Ricky
BMT

Blue Mother Tupelo is assisting with the efforts of fellow musician, Kenny Brown, in getting a Mississippi State Blues Trail Marker honoring our friend, the late great fife master, Otha Turner.

Please join Kenny Brown, the Turner family, Blue Mother Tupelo and all the others donating to raise funds for a Mississippi State Blues Trail Marker for Otha Turner.

If you would like to donate to this great cause, please specify that your donation is for the Otha Turner Mississippi State Blues Trail Marker. Any amount would be very much welcomed with 100% of the donations put toward the marker. To donate mail a check to:


North MS Hill Country Picnic, Inc.
Memo: Otha Turner Mississippi State Blues Trail Marker
P.O. Box 392
Potts Camp, MS 38659

The North Ms Hill Country Picnic, Inc. is a Non Profit 501(c)3 company supported by your donations, your support is needed and appreciated.

http://hillcountrypicnic.wordpress.com/2008-festival/donations/

Delaney Bramlett
July 1, 1939 - December 28, 2008

Dear Friends ~

Our hearts are hurting, for the sadness that has come with learning of the passing on of one of our heroes and for the family members that
have lost one of their own flesh & blood. Delaney Bramlett has joined that chorus of singers and guitar stringers in Heaven. But, Delaney
will be leading the Choir now ... and it will be the most beautiful chorus of foot-stomping, melody, & harmony that we could ever imagine.

Thank you, God, for allowing us to partake in the beauty of the gifts you gave Delaney. And thank you, Delaney, for using the gifts you were so blessed with so openly and honestly. Sweet southern soulful rock-n-rollin country blues ... ah, you made the music so goooooood.
Like gravy on biscuits. Like honey in whiskey. Like sunshine on the water. Like a magnolia blossom in a juke joint ... or on a big stage
with superstars ~ Your Shine Allowed Others To Shine More Brightly. You are the Superstar.

Though not enough for mine & Ricky's liking ~ the moments that we got to share with you are precious. I hope that you can feel our love now. I hope you could feel us reaching it out to you the day before yesterday & beyond ... so much a part of our daily lives. Thank you for your recordings.

You will Rave On. Any chance we can we'll continue to share your songs, your name, your influence.

God blessed all of us with you. Thank you, Delaney Bramlett. Much love to those that have lost their father and husband and friend ... our prayers are with you now.

Micol Davis
.................................

The first thing, when I got up this morning, on my birthday, was that Micol so sadly had to tell me that she had just heard that one of my true musical heroes and a dear friend, Mr. Delaney Bramlett, had passed away two days ago. My heart is aching.

What a beautiful soul Delaney was ...

I'll never forget, when we met Delaney for the first time in Mississippi. Micol, Delaney, me ... we were all in tears.

Micol & I grew up in our families' homes where Delaney & Bonnie's music was played. We both absorbed their music deep down into our very souls. It was amazing that when we met and got married, we discovered that we both considered these artists to be the foundation of who we are musically: Delaney & Bonnie, Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers Band, and Muddy Waters, and of course for me - my Dad & kinfolk. We were, are, and will always be - souls a kin. After years of searching for Delaney, we were fortunate enough to meet him and been friends for several years now. We have been so fortunate to have gotten the chance to meet a few of our music heroes/mentors. And I have to say that meeting and getting to know Delaney has been one of the absolute most special things to happen in our lives and we'll always cherish these memories.

Delaney & I had talked for the past few years about collaborating; writing some songs together and recording together. But his health steadily took a turn for the worse.

I can't stress enough at how sad I am today. My heart aches today, yet, I am also rejoiceful because I know that his struggles here on earth are no more and that God has called Delaney home to Heaven. He is with his Mamo & Daddy & Jesus today, singin' stompin' & playin' his guitar in that beautiful Heavenly choir, amen! And I pray that we all join them there someday ...

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.


Rave on, Delaney Bramlett! Rave on!

Please join Micol & me in praying that love, peace, harmony & God's blesings surround Delaney's family forever. I say the same prayer for
all of us.

Ricky Davis

--
Blue Mother Tupelo

BRAND NEW BLUE MOTHER TUPELO SINGLE!

To hear our new song called "CHANGE" just got to our page at www.myspace.com/bluemothertupelo and look in the myspace player on the top right. "Change" is song #2.

To purchase the download, scroll down on our myspace page to our Nimbit store & purchase any BMT single, including, "Change"!

Hey y'all,

This is a brand new song that I have written and that Micol & I recorded this week.

Although my song is entitled, "Change", it's certainly not an endorsement of any political candidate or party. And I didn't write it intending it to be a political song. To my heart and mind, it's more like an awareness song.

I wrote part of this song way back in 1990 or so. I hadn't thought about the tune till recently; when hearing the news on the radio of what's going on in our country, the words and melody that I wrote so many years ago popped into my head and basically the remainder of this song wrote itself just a few days ago. So, Micol & I ran into the studio to get it recorded.

My heart has been moved to write this song and I hope that you will check it out! And I shonuff hope you dig it!

We always thank you so kindly for your support of us and our music!

And may God continue to bless us all and our United States of America!

peace, love & harmony,
Ricky Davis

Micol sang harmonies, played organ, tambourine and hand-claps; Ricky sang harmonies, played drums, upright bass, dobro, acoustic guitar, electric slide guitar, steel guitar, cigar box guitar, field hollers, sledgehammer/anvil, and hand-claps on Little Johnny Kantreed's new upcoming CD release, "Bring Me A Little Water". Ricky Davis also Produced & Engineered six tracks on Little Johnny Kantreed's new CD to be released in 2008.

Blue Mother Tupelo makes their second appearance at the Americana Folk Festival.

In 2006 BMT performed at the AFF and is thrilled and honored to be in the company of all their fellow Americana artists at the AFF on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Come and take in the absolute best in Americana music and the beautiful fall foliage!

To order tickets and to learn more about the festival, visit their site at
www.americanafolkfest.com or at www.myspace.com/theamericanafolkfestival

BMT is extremely honored to share the stage with the legendary Leon Russell at The Shed in Maryville, Tennessee on Thursday, September 4. See BMT's calendar for ticket info.

Micol & Ricky record Keith Urban's, "Better Life" for a Wal-Mart commercial demo.

Micol sang lead vocals and harmonies on a new Susan Anders recording called "Missing You".

Micol records lead & harmony vocals for new Tide commercial demo

Ricky played lead slide electric guitar on Erika Chambers' new recording, "Footprints". And Micol sang harmonies & Ricky played dobro, on Erika's new recording called, "The War" both featured on Erika's new upcoming CD.