Album Notes

Bozeman, Montana’s Ten Foot Tall and 80 Proof have never wondered where music might take them but rather where they could take their music. Since the band formed in early 2006, Ten Foot Tall and 80 Proof has rapidly ascended the regions musical ladder. Founded on the principle that real country music should never take a back seat to over produced crossover country pop, Ten Foot Tall set out to reset the country music bar starting in Montana’s Gallatin Valley. Over the past 2 years 10/80 has been gaining a reputation as the valley’s best country dance band, bringing back the rich western tradition of couples dancing. In January 2007 they embarked on a recording project with friend and recording engineer Jamey Warren which resulted in their debut album, “Princess Of Doom”, released in January 2008. This CD is comprised of all original material that is reminiscent of ole’ Hank and George Jones but with a 10/80 twist. In an era where people place things in little categorized boxes, Ten Foot Tall and 80 Proof strives to break the mold and give their audience a performance that satisfies the most critical of ears. The 10/80 twist on old country is undoubtedly due to the varied musical backgrounds of the band members. Raised in the north woods of Michigan, front man and doghouse bass player Kris Clone’s earliest memories of music include bouncing down the road in a 1978 GMC pickup listening to 8 track tapes of The Beach Boys, John Denver and Conway Twitty while trying to sing the words to Hello Darlin’. Involved in group singing throughout his childhood, he studied the trombone and piano as a youth which took him to Europe for two summers to share his love of music, specifically jazz. In 1995 Kris moved to Helena, Montana and Bozeman in 1997. In 2000 he formed an acoustic trio with Josh Heins and Sally Newsome which sparked his passion for the acoustic bass. After a short absence from Bozeman’s music scene, which included the damp and rich musical haven of Bellingham, WA—where he fell in love with the upright bass—and the warmth of a small community of musicians in interior Alaska, Kris returned to Bozeman. Shortly thereafter he rejoined Sally Newsome to form the acoustic band, The Norris Hot Strings, and begin his return journey toward old time country. Along the way he joined renowned singer/songwriter John Lowell and mandolin virtuoso Tom Murphy to form The John Lowell Trio. It was at this point that Kris rejoined Josh Heins and returned to his roots. Ten Foot Tall and 80 Proof was formed. A prolific and talented songwriter, Kris’ originals featured in Ten Foot Tall reflect his flavor of country music where, “if it ain’t about whiskey, women, prison or trains it ain’t 80 proof ” Lead guitarist and backing vocalist Josh Heins started his music career playing the trombone at age 10. Drawn to the guitar driven classic rock that dominated the airwaves in his rural Minnesota home, Josh put down the trombone and started playing the guitar at age 12 on a Yamaha nylon string acoustic he borrowed from his aunt. He quickly moved on to an electric guitar and began playing along with his CD collection, learning from guitarists like Angus Young, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmi Hendrix and Kirk Hammet. Josh spent a few months in a Metallica cover band in college until moving to Bozeman in ‘98 where he soon met Kris Clone and Sally Newsome and formed the acoustic trio Third Wheel. When the trio disbanded, Josh would follow the strong vocals of Newsome and help form the 8-piece Rhythm and Blues powerhouse The Sol Congress. After a three year stint of R&B and funk, Josh would again join Clone, this time with thoughts of honky-tonk and country. Originally from Alabama, Preston “Professor” White has been playing music as far back as he can remember. While in middle school he joined the concert band playing trumpet which he played as his main instrument until college. While in high school and college he studied music theor