Album Notes

Thoughts From The Artist On “Out Of Mississippi”

1. Love Holds On: After hearing the first few lines I knew that I had to record this song. It really reminded me of where I grew up , the Mississippi Gulf Coast, on the Bay of Saint Louis. Our little town was recently ravished by Hurricane Katrina, and it just breaks my heart when I think of how beautiful the Bay once was and will be again some day. This song helps me remember when and it takes me back home each time that I sing it.


2. Before You Turn To A Memory: This song is by far one of my favorite cuts on this album. It not only has a beautiful melody, but tells a great story of the struggle between the past and the present. It takes you on a journey of the heart, whether you choose to move on or live in a memory. Listen to how Perley Curtis puts a haunting sound on this song with his steel guitar. I just love the irony and play on words in this tune.


3. Drift Away: Lonnie Ratliff suggested cutting a remake of this song. At first, I wasn’t sure how we could arrange it so that it would be different from the original version done by Dobie Gray. Lonnie suggested Cajun fiddles, in walked Jim Unger, and with his magic touch, a whole new song emerged. The Cajun fiddle gives this song a Zydeco feel! I just love it!


4. Long And Restless Nights: We spent a lot of time looking for songs for this project and even tapped into the Canadian songwriters for a couple of songs. This is one by Canadian Alanna Myrol and is a great foot stomping, hand clapping, feel good song! Don’t let it’s upbeat tempo fool you, It has very good lyrics that tell a classic story. Those qualities really drew me to this song, and many forsaken lovers can relate to the situation in this song. This song is for anyone who has ever had “Long And Restless Nights”!


5. Even Now: This Glenn Warren/ Worley Max song grabbed me deep down the first time I ever heard it. Conway Twitty released it quite a few years ago on his album titled “ Even Now”. This song was my way to pay tribute to Conway, he was such a big influence in my life and one of the greatest country singers of all time. His music helped me to learn how to take a feeling and convey it through a song. Thank You Conway!


6. I Love You: I first heard this song a few years ago on a Faith Hill CD. I just fell in love with the bluesy feel and catchy melody and knew that I just had to cut this song. John Heinrich really makes this song stand out beautifully, playing the Saxophone throughout and the Marcia Ramirez harmonies really add depth to this tune making this song a favorite of mine.

7. Run That By Me One More Time: I chose to cut this song because it has a great beat and catchy lyrics. It’s the kind of song that you start snapping your fingers to, without even realizing that you’re doing it. This song is always so much fun for me to sing, I actually got out of breath while recording in the studio because I was dancing as I was singing this song!


8. Old Flames ( Can’t Hold A Candle To You): Lonnie suggested this particular song on more than one occasion and I wasn’t sure that I could pull this song off by hearing the demo. Lonnie told me to keep it in mind because he thought that it would be a great song for me to do. So I kept on listening and the song just grabbed hold of me, I’m so glad that I listened to Lonnie, this song is my favorite on the album. It has a great traditional country sound and is a great tribute song to anyone who has finally found their soul mate after years of searching.


9. Waiting For Your Love: The first time I played this song, the catchy tune just stood out to me and I couldn’t get it out of my head. That’s what makes a great song. It shows a more sassy side to me than alot of the other cuts on this album and I liked that! I think every girl has a little sass in her!


10. Only Lonely: This Carol Hashe/ Vicki Hopper song was actually the very first song that I picked to put on this album. It has such a soulful feel and is full of emotion, I knew instantly that I had to do this song because I just connected to it so easily. It’s a song that you can pour your heart into and play over and over again.


11. That’s What Rock And Roll Means To Me: This song was one that I really loved but never thought about cutting myself. I was a little hesitant at first, I was worried that because of the song’s title it would take me out of the country genre. Lonnie however, convinced me that it would work because this tune had a rockabilly sound. It reminded me of Mississippi Delta/ Chuck Berry tunes. Once again, I listened to Lonnie’s suggestion and am very pleased that I did. The very talented musicians that played on this song truly made it phenomenal! Vaughn Lofstead brought this song to new heights with his great guitar picking, listen to the intro of the song and see what I mean! Rodger Morris gave the song a Jerry Lee Louis feel with his awesome piano playing. Thanks so much guys! This song Rocks!


12. When It Finally Happens: This song was written by J.B. Smith and Jim Carter, a personal friend of mine. The words to this song and the melody touched me deep down, it had a very powerful message to convey about love and loss. This is truly a beautiful song and anyone who has ever suffered from a broken heart can relate to this song. This is one of two songs on the album that Jim Carter wrote, the other is “Waiting For Your Love”. Jim, you are a great songwriter and I hope that I did your songs justice and made you proud. Keep writing buddy!