HIGHWAY SOUTH RECORDS INTRODUCES FLAGSHIP ARTIST DAVID SHELBY
Shelby Makes Introductions With Single Debut And Amply Titled CD RUST BELT COWBOY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2, 2013)—Highway South Records is pleased to introduce
David Shelby as its representing artist hailing from its own backyard, Motor City, MI. Shelby prepares to make his mark on Music City, country radio and its listeners with his twang, rhythm and groove-infused LP entitled RUST BELT COWBOY.** (Slated for an August 6, 2013 release via all major retail Internet outlets.)
Capturing the salt-of-the-earth and grit of Detroit, Michigan, the rock n’ roll history the culture is known for, and melding it with Nashville’s signature musicianship and storylines, Shelby creates a sound he proudly identifies as “Rust Belt Country.”
Shelby made his entry into the country music scene official with his debut single release, “Kick A Little Dirt Around," (ON RADIO NOW!--CDX Vol. 568/Track No.10) and the tune has made an impression on folks across the country and the pond (sitting at the No. 1 slot of the UK’s HOTDISC Top 40 for its fourth consecutive week).
Raised in a proud Polish-Russian family, David’s introduction to music was a cultural tradition and served as an integral part of his youth. Beginning with an accordion, advancing to the trumpet and ultimately graduating with guitar in hand, Shelby set himself apart from his classmates with a mind “wired for sound” as a natural-born musician and composer. A prodigy recognized, young Shelby was tapped for his ace trumpeting skills as a member of the touring families of international award-winning recording artists such as The Turtles, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Stevie Wonder and Davy Jones (The Monkees); he’s opened for Styx and Foreigner, and played before sold-out crowds at some of the world’s largest venues (including DTE Entergy Concert Venue and First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre--formerly The World Music Theater--in Chicago). Most recently, he opened for Hank Williams, Jr. at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. His stage experience and theatrical training have offered him invaluable insight, perspective and the skillful ability to be a proficient music translator.
“My surroundings have helped me to relate to, and understand, an international spectrum of personalities and depth of emotions that, in turn, enable me to perform on a level seated right next to the listener. My job, now, is to get them up and outta those seats,” says David Shelby.
A scholar of music and a well-rounded instrumentalist, David’s songs reflect his admiration for Nashville and the history of country music, the evolution of rock ‘n roll, and the rhythm and grooves that shout: “Detroit!” His national recording project RUST BELT COWBOY (produced by Shelby, F.J. Turner/Tazmaraz Music and Chris Virzi) is a melded representation fueled by the gears and chains of Shelby’s innovative style.
“We wanted to produce this from within—to rely on our own talents and laurels. We wanted to make the music that we know how to make, so we brought Detroit to Nashville and we pushed one another to make sure the chrome was polished and shined and the lyrics classic to satisfy both cultures in a ‘happily every after’ end product!”
Solid songwriting, wit and poignant depth are showcased in the seven-song CD--from the orchestrated boot scootin’ single “Kick A Little Dirt Around,” to the call and answer modern hymnal “Cinderella With A New Tattoo,” to the contrast of the up-tempo lit and twisted “Moonshine,” and the serenading ballad of “Your Better Man.”
Where the rubber meets road and the pavement turns to dirt, the ironclad project highlights David’s exceptional artistry as a music mechanic.
Joining the inner circles of the Nashville community, David has worked alongside famed-industry record producers Ed Seay (Martina McBride/Willie Nelson/Blake Shelton), Russ Zavitson/Zavitson Music Group (Billy Ray Cyrus) and Mark Burch (Billy Currington). He has recently aligned with veteran Sony Music Executive Ed Gertler who is acting spearhead of the David Shelby promotions and marketing team. The single radio promotion (“Kick A Little Dirt Around”) is supported by some of the industry’s most successful (Jan Woods, Jack Pride and Jerry Duncan Promotions); Marco Promotions is coordinating the club promotion campaign.
Launching the radio promotion, Shelby visited more than 25 cities during his Southeast radio tour; he heads to the Northeast in the coming weeks.
A Nashville celebration is planned; David will host his RUST BELT COWBOY CD Release Party on August 8, 2013 at 12th & Porter in Nashville, TN.
For more information on David Shelby please visit,
www.davidshelbymusic.com.
