GoodStuff PR Co. News Detail
July 199, 2008
Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike Set to Entertain European Audiences Beginning July 20th
Maverick Magazine On Board as Media Sponsor
New Female Duet Album Here's a Little Song Featuring Valerie Smith and Becky Buller Hits Streets Sept. 9th
*** "Excellent stage act Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike are known for their lively and impressive concerts!" Maverick Magazine, England ***
NASHVILLE, TENN - Fan favorites Valerie Smith & Liberty Piketake their show across the pond to Europe starting July 20th with shows set to take place throughout England, Ireland and Germany. Maverick Magazine, the highly respected European magazine covering everything country, Americana and bluegrass, is a main media sponsor on this tour.
German talent booker Rainer Zellner says, "Since my first tour with VS&LP in 2002, I have had the pleasure to work with this professional high class band. In musicianship and entertainment quality they can hold up with the best in the genre.They never leave the stage without enthusiastic calls for encores and standing ovations. Through their consistent returning to Europe they built a dedicated audience for themselves and were a strong force in helping to introduce Bluegrass music as a musical form on a high level."
Now in their 10th year, VS&LP play over 175 dates per year to enthusiastic audiences around the world, bringing their unique hybrid of contemporary bluegrass music to the forefront with expertly crafted songs and high energy performances. The spirit of the band's shows has always brought together the connection and contrast between bluegrass's contemporary flavors, traditional American songs and a modern day take on the Folk and Old Time Music styles. All of this in a downhome, acoustic setting that brings audiences into the fray rather than leaving them sitting outside. Sing Out! Magazine said, "She's a singer's singer, and it's no stretch to suggest that Valerie Smith may possess the most versatile, dynamic and evocative voice on the current bluegrass scene."
Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike consists of lead singer and band leader Valerie Smith, Becky Buller on vocal, fiddle, Clawhammer Banjo, guitar and as a principal songwriter in the group, Bobby Davis on bass and fiddle, Chad Graves on Resophonic guitar and vocals, and Eric Lambert on Guitar and Mandolin. The band is known on the touring circuit as one that brings an incredible amount of energy and expertise to their stage performances. Gabrielle Gray, Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Museum and Promoter of the River of Music Festival in Owensboro, KY (ROMP) says, "Valerie Smith and her amazing band are a breath of fresh air. Onstage, they present visually beautiful and exciting performances with exceptional musicality."
With a storytellers sensibility and the soulful and raspy voice of a seasoned veteran, Valerie Smith and company are able to leave their audiences wanting more and waiting with anticipation for each and every song during a performance. Music journalist and Scotland promoter, Loudon Temple described a concert by VS&LP as playing a "stormer! We have enjoyed the very best of bluegrass before at Brookfield...or so we thought!"
Sept, 9th will see the release of the brand new and unique female duet album by Valerie Smith & Becky Buller titled Here's a Little Song on Bell Buckle Records.
While the brother duet tradition remains strong on todays Bluegrass circuit with groups like the Gibson Brothers and Daley and Vincent, one rarely hears a sister duet act. "We certainly aren't out to send the Bluegrass world spinning sideways," said Becky. "We just both happen to be big fans of classic duet acts such as the Louvin and Everly Brothers," said Becky. "Our goal was to channel their sound into these new songs with stark arrangements that make the melodies, harmonies and stories the focal points of our presentation."
Guests on Here's a Little Song include the multi-Grammy, Dove and IBMA award-winning Alan O'Bryant and Mike Compton from the Nashville Bluegrass Band; the 2007 IBMA "Female Vocalist of the Year" Dale Ann Bradley; multi-IBMA award winner Wayne Benson of IIIrd Tyme Out; Kristin Scott Benson of the Larry Stephenson Band and Larry Cordle and Lonsome Standard Time; and Justin Carbone of Special Consensus. They are also joined here by their fellow Liberty Pike members Chad Graves and Bobby Davis.
For more information VS&LP or the upcoming female duet CD by Valerie & Becky, please visit http://www.valeriesmithonline.com or email shari@goodstuffpr.com SCHEDULE INFORMATION - http://www.valeriesmithonline.com/Schedule.cfm
