Air Supply's Russell Hitchcock adds a touch of twang on his independent 2011 double album release Russell Hitchcock–Tennessee: The Nashville Sessions. Recorded in Music City's Curb studios alongside producer Rob Rappaport, the 2-disc CD package features 20 new songs—from love-struck ballads to broken-hearted melodies and swingin' door up-tempos—crafted by some of Nashville's best-of-the-best A-list songwriters. In the vein of many a country music legend, the compilation captures a broad spectrum of feelings and emotions among the cuts "Fallin'," "These Walls," "May The Best Man Win" and "Cash's Last Days." Music aficionados will also enjoy the accompanying 24-page full-color booklet display of pictures, lyrics, musical credits and more, chronicling the musical experience–an exclusive keepsake created especially for longtime Hitchcock fans.
"I am more than pleased with this project," Hitchcock reveals. "This is not a departure for me, I simply stepped outside the Air Supply box to dip a toe into other waters, an ocean of music that I've admired from afar. This compilation will touch hearts the same way Air Supply music does—just when fans close their eyes as they listen, they'll hear and feel a different musical vibe. I feel like we ended up with a great piece of art! Recording in Nashville enabled us to create an organic product; the Southern hospitality, passion and extraordinary talents of the musicians, one and all, bled through into the studio. It reminded me of recording in Australia in 1976."
The 2-disc package is available now for pre-order via Russell Hitchcock's website (http://russellhitchcock.com) with an official worldwide release date set for May 10, 2011.
"Listeners will be able to hear one of the best singers in the world, accompanied by some of the greatest musicians in the world, collaborate on a project that has been carefully hand-picked and crafted," producer Rob Rappaport introduces. "Russell is a master and has great taste in music and—whether you're a lifelong Air Supply fan or a true blue country music fan—you'll not be disappointed in the flavor of RUSSELL HITCHCOCK–TENNESSEE: The Nashville Sessions. It's a melting pot of French horns, strings, fiddle and pedal steel; there's something for everybody."
The project features tracks penned by Nashville songwriters including Wes Hightower, Hal Ketchum, Jimmy Ritchey, Rusty Tabor and Josh Thompson and in keeping with the Better Angels contemporary philosophy to record "music worth hearing," the label will simultaneously release two cuts to radio; "Far Enough Away From Colorado" and Hitchcock's personal favorite, "Hold Me Like You Love Me" (written by John Ozier and Nick Sturms) will hit radio airwaves later this month.
