Album Notes

In August of 2006, Georgia born and raised singer/songwriter Sally Jaye stepped into Elliott Smith's former studio to commence recording on her new record. The room previously housed the final sessions of Smith (where he had hand-picked all of the gear), along with past productions of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Elected, Jonathan Rice and had recently welcomed members of Maroon 5 and Rilo Kiley. Sally Jaye recruited her producer friend Will Golden (Ian Ball {Gomez}, Michelle Branch, Joe Purdy, Meiko) to helm the sessions, along with Grammy nominated engineer/mixer Mike Terry (The Eagles, Foo Fighters) to round out the crew. After 10 days of solid recording the foundation for the newly dubbed Amarillo sessions was set.

Raised on the music and songwriting of Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Loretta Lynn, and Willie Nelson, and inspired by Bruce Springsteen and Ryan Adams, the songs on Amarillo tell stories of Sally Jaye's life growing up in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the movement towards Los Angeles, and the spaces inbetween. Characters such as carnies and cotton ginners appear in her songs; the local junkyard and summer evenings on the porch; and late night drives alone across Texas are peppered throughout.

After a prodding from Will Golden and Mike Terry to finish what had commenced earlier last year, Sally stepped into New Monkey Studio in January of 2007, for what would be the final days of recording and mixing; summoning such local music luminaries as Brian Wright, Meiko, Leroy Powell, and Kyler England. When all was said and done, Amarillo was born in just 16 days of recording, but a lifetime's worth of imagery.

Three-time Grammy winner Gavin Lurrsen (Oh Brother Where Art Thou ~ SD, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, etc.) heard the final mixes, just after completing Lucinda Williams' new record, West, and asked to master Amarillo. A finer choice could not have been made.

The set up for the release has grown organically, with numerous local appearances at the Hotel Café and other venues, supporting Patty Griffin, and airplay and college radio flagship KCRW. Accompanying Amarillo's release will be a special national solo summer tour, in the North and South East, with further touring in the Fall with the full band.

In additional to touring and recording, Sally Jaye has written songs for various film and television projects including an end credit title, "Grateful," for the film "If Only," starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tom Wilkinson, recorded at Abbey Road Studio with the London Symphony Orchestra