”I think that this record does a really good job of conveying what we do and what we\’re about,” Blackberry Smoke singer-guitarist-songwriter Charlie Starr says of Holding All the Roses, the band’s fourth studio album and its first Rounder release. Indeed, Holding All the Roses compellingly captures the energy, attitude and honesty that have already helped to make Blackberry Smoke one of America’s hottest live rock ’n’ roll outfits, as well as a grass-roots phenomenon with a large and fiercely loyal fan base that reflects the band\’s tireless touring regimen and staunch blue-collar work ethic.
The 12-song set—produced by Brendan O\’Brien, whose previous production clients have included AC/DC, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young—showcases the Atlanta-based quintet\’s emotion-charged mix of bluesy rock, gospel soul, and country, with Starr\’s raspy twang matched by his and Paul Jackson\’s snarling guitars, Brandon Still\’s hauntingly expressive organ and piano, and the propulsive sibling rhythm section of Richard and Brit Turner. The songs\’ musical and emotional appeal is further elevated by the band\’s three-part vocal harmonies and expanded arrangements that make judicious use of fiddle and added percussion.
Chris Loocke (pronounced Lock) is a Nashville based guitarist who graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with degrees in Music Business/Management and Guitar Performance. Since moving to Nashville, he has been booked solid on the road and in the studio and has played with:
Chase Rice (Columbia Records), Jana Kramer (Warner Music), Josh Gracin (American Idol, #1 hit “Nothing to Lose”), Grammy nominated The Nappy Roots (#1 hit Po’ Folks, Aw Naw), Love & Theft (RCA #1 hit “Angel Eyes”), Brazilian jazz legend Rosa Passos (Sony Records), Kristy Lee Cook (Arista Records, American Idol), Aaron Kelly (American Idol), James Wesley (Broken Bow). Also, Chris is collaborating on a project called “Paper” with Mike Marsh, drummer from the band Dashboard Confessional/Avett Brothers, and Ed Toth from the Doobie Brothers. He has also played with a long list of other talented musical groups in a wide variety of genres.
“I’ve been blessed to play in the recording studios in Nashville for over 35 years and I’m very grateful to still be doing it. I’ve had the opportunity to record with some very talented artists, producers, songwriters and engineers. I am probably best known for playing electric guitar on all of Garth Brooks records and CDs ever since the very beginning of his career. Here are some of the other artists that I’ve made some great music with:
Richie Furay / Hal Ketchum / Randy Travis / George Strait / George Jones / Emmy Lou Harris / Elton John (Tammy Wynette tribute CD) / Leon Russell / Kathy Mattea / Montgomery Gentry / Alabama / Julio Iglesias / Seals and Crofts / Eddie Rabbitt / Crystal Gayle / Jack Clement / Kenny Rogers / Dolly Parton / Michael Martin Murphey / Riders In The Sky / Dan Seals
I’ve also had a great time playing some wonderful live music. Besides the artists I worked with on the road I’ve done special shows for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Musicians Hall of Fame, BMI, ASCAP and many TV shows where I got to play with some of my personal guitar heroes as well as many artists I grew up listening to and admiring. Here’s some of the artists I had the honor to back up:
BB King / Billy Gibbons / Richie Sambora / Steve Lukather / Joe Bonamassa / Duane Eddy / Dick Dale / Ernie Isley / Dave Mason / Duke Robillard / Vernon Reid / Susan Tedeschi / Chaka Khan / Neil Diamond / Kris Kristofferson / Chrissie Hynde / Rick Derringer / Ronald Isley / Anita Baker / Sissy Houston / Greg Rolie and Michael Carabello (Santana) / Gary Puckett / Al Jardine (Beach Boys) / George Strait / Ronnie Dunn / Slash”
“At only 25 years old Daniel Martin has become one of the go to guitarist’s in the UK. He\’s played lead guitar with some of the biggest artists of the 1960’s. From 2010 to 2015 he played lead guitar with 60’s icon Dave Berry. 2012 saw him play lead guitar for the legendary Bruce Welch and his Shadows as well as ‘Are you Being Served’ actor Mike Berry who had numerous hits in the 60\’s as well as making the top 10 with Sunshine Of your Smile in 1980. In 2014 he toured with Country Star Jerry Kilgore and Nashville artist Kinsey Rose. Daniel relocated to Ireland in 2015 to play lead guitar for Irish country star Lisa McHugh you can hear him on on Thinking Out Loud from her Wildfire album which was recorded at Windmill Studios in Dublin, you can also see him playing rhythm guitar with Irelands biggest star Nathan Carter on his new DVD, “Live at The Marquee”. During this time he became in demand as a session player regularly appearing on the country charts in Ireland and the UK.
2016 saw him play for Grand Ole Opry member Larry Gatlin and rising star Mo Pitney as well as a host of Irish Country singers as part of the band on Irish TV‚ Irish Country Music Awards. When not backing other artist\’s he can be seen with his own ‘Daniel Martin Band’ around the UK and Europe. “You can put the Wampler pedals into any amplifier and create the sound in your head”
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