Album Notes

With Top 40 AMA radio play across the country, this band is no longer a secret. Marshall Rhodes debut album is a collection of tunes that will feel like family after the very first listen. To be certain these are vital songs about life, emotions, coming of age and war, but mostly this is stalwart songwriting that rocks with deep pocket rhythms, solid guitar work and the enjoyable sort of good-time vocals that usually come from the backyards and front porches at parties we wish we were attending.

Glenn Burke and Michael Lehman spent the previous four years refining their songs with the Bay Area band, Borderline. They have emerged with a sound and vibe that is rooted in acoustic music but can soar on the wings of Lehman's electric guitar work. With veterans, Adam "Bagel" Berkowitz on drums and Michael Godwin on bass they have a solid rhythm section to launch their songs from.

Their songs are about life, from simple emotions, to the conflicts of torn relationships, coming of age, even war and forgiveness... but mostly about love both won and lost. Burkes' "This Perfect World" appeared in the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers movie, The Postman. More recently they recorded "Sparks Rag" for the soundtrack of the award winning animated short, "Stanley Goes for a Drive", by world renowned Illustrator and children's book author, Craig Frazier. (www.stanleybooks.com) United Airlines featured this animated short on their flights for a full month.

It took nearly two years of work and was recorded, mixed and produced by Adam "bagel" Berkowitz. With appearances from Bay Area musicians including, Austin Delone (Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Fabulous Thunderbirds), Jim Rothermal (Van Morrison, Jesse Colin Young, Dr. John) , Barry Sless (Kingfish, David Nelson Band, The Flying Other Brothers) , Jonathan Korty (Vinyl), Cole Tate (CTB, Lonely Hearts Band) and David Phillips (Charlie Hunter Trio, Jack West & Curvature). "But at the core of it all, is the songwriting," says producer Adam Berkowitz.

For those who still haven't heard them, they are a great find and the type you'll want to share with friends. The "good-time" feeling Marshall Rhodes band will leave you smiling. It's been called Alt Country, Roots Rock or Americana, but they like to think of it as a reflection of their Bay Area home. A sound called, Gold Country.