Album Notes

Sweetwater Abilene was formed in the spring of 2001 by J.R. Top after a jouney through rural Texas and inspiration from Pete Seeger's book, "The Incompleat Folksinger." Influenced by such varied artists such as C.C.R., Jonathan Richman, Havalina, and Pedro the Lion, he has been writing songs and recording albums by himself in a self-dubbed, "Garage Folk" style.

Sweetwater Abilene has performed intermittently throughout the years with many various musicians at the helm. Their latest album, "Sweetwater Abilene" is a greatest hits of sorts combining songs that have been fan favorites throughout the years, along with a few new tunes.

Sweetwater has opened for such artists as Havalina, Mercury Radio Theater, and Bloodshot Records Artists - The Meat Purveyors and Scott H. Biram. Sweetwater's music has also been enjoyed by indie luminaries Rosie Thomas and John Vanderslice. Sweetwater Abilene also plays regularly at The Outland in Springfield, MO. Currently Sweetwater Abilene is:
J.R. Top - Guitar, Vocals
Isaih Karnov - Drums
Michael St. John - Bass

Comments and Praise -
"Sweetwater Abilene is the creation of singer-songwriter J.R. Top. The Pilot and the Princess is a concept album about two people, a pilot who has gone to war and a young woman spoiled by her father. The songs are stark, allowing listeners to get close to both characters. At the album's end, the pair fall in love and fall out of the sky. Top has a rich voice and, it seems, a rich imagination for telling stories through song." - Michael Brothers, Springfield News-Leader

"You've got a cool little album there." -Matt Wignall, Havalina.

"Sweetwater Abilene's music is as beautiful as it is gigantic." -Kurt Fowler, Mercury Radio Theater.

"Sweetwater Abilene has an amazing gift of taking what could be seen as mundane every day snapshots of life and amplifying them into beautiful short stories and images that are immediately identifiable and relatable to the listener. His songs are reminiscent of Magnetic Fields and Palace... They creep up on you in a very infectious and understated way. I love his catchy, honest, and uncontrived view of the world." -Dension Witmer, "The Militia Group" Recording Artist.

"Sounds like Barry White if he were to sing Folk Music." -Jason Evans, local fan.