Nebraska singer/songwriter, Ben Treffer, journeyed South to Lunacy to track his debut CD,What Would You Do? Ben tracked fifteen originals along with the Lunacy regulars Terry,Dennis,Steve, Shoe and Cope. The music has a great Americana sound and feel with a lyric content that’s definitely about living in the Midwest. Standout cuts are, Not as Married as She Used to Be, What Would You Do, The Rain, and Take This Gun. Ben Treffer’s What Would You Do? is available through Lunacy Records, on iTunes and all other download services.

 

Kansas country music sweetheart, Lorraine Worth, has her second release The Greatest Hero out on Lunacy Records. The CD is a combination of some of Lorraine’s originals and some classic country standards. Helping Lorraine out on a couple of songs on the CD is the “Oklahoma Balladeer,” Les Gilliam. Lorraine is becoming a fixture on the festival circuit throughout Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. Catch her live if you can. She’s always a crowd pleaser.

 

2009 has been a busy year for Oklahoma sax legend, Morris McCraven. January saw the release of his debut recording Morris McCraven on Lunacy Records. In February, Morris hosted his CD release party at the U.C.O. Jazz Lab. Performing with Morris that night was the stellar line-up of Ukie Hart – piano, Steve Short – drums, Dave Copenhaver – bass, Charles Burton – guitar & vocals and special guest, Barbara Burton – vocals. THE NIGHT WAS SWINGIN!!! Video of this great performance is available exclusively at www.lunacyrecords.com

 

In June, Morris was a head-liner at the annual “Jazz in June” festival in Norman, OK. Accompanying Morris that evening was Dennis Borycki-keyboards, Don Juntunen-guitar, Steve Short-drums, Dave Copenhaver-bass and special guest vocalist, Harold Jones. The music was hotter than the 103° Oklahoma June night. Morris’ performance that night will go down in history! A live CD is in the making. Be on the lookout!!!

 

Another Kansas singer has released her debut recording. Bailey Wilton’s – Bailey is now available on Lunacy Records. Bailey is only fourteen and her CD is exactly what you would imagine, full of life and lots of fun. Along with the Lunacy regulars (Steve Short, Terry Scarberry, Dennis Borycki, Cope and Shoe), are stand- out performances by Stephanie Short-vocals, Jake Simpson-fiddle and Morris McCraven-sax, With a mixture of pop, country and rock-n-roll, Bailey is showing what a big talent a little girl from Kansas has brought to the table. Favorite cuts are Suds in the Bucket, Do-Wa Diddy, and These Boots are Made for Walkin’. Look out – here comes Bailey!!

Guitarist, singer-songwriter, Marc Pate, has been tracking some songs lately. Marc definitely has the chops as a jazz/blues guitar player, but has been concentrating on the singer/songwriter aspect with great results. Love Will Find You and Just Another Day are just a couple of his songs that certainly show great commercial potential. More later when the CD is released.

Also still in the working stages, Troy Chavez, has been In the studio tracking. With a combination of originals and some choice covers, Troy is definitely on to something. Great vocals and guitar playing! This will be a good one!

 

Here is one that can only be described as song historian. Singer/poet Leroy Jones has compiled a CD made up of cowboy/western songs some of which date back to the 1800’s. This is truly a great record and will transport you back to the days of the “old west.” Working with Leroy to create the authentic atmosphere is fiddle great, Byron Berline, acoustic bassist Richard Sharp, and guitarist Terry Scarberry. The packaging on this CD not only contains lyrics, but also Leroy has gone into great detail describing the history of each song, telling where it came from and how it came about. If you’re into cowboy/western music, don’t miss this one! Leroy Jones – Looking Back on Lunacy Records.

 

Scott King’s, Let’s Get Something Straight Between Us is out on Lunacy and it packs a punch!!! Ten country/rock songs that are guaranteed to get you going. Mixed in with swingers like Can’t Get Along with that Woman, and Been There Done You, are ballads I Understand and Until You’re Mine. Scott has that big country voice that could easily transfer to commercial radio. Helping Scott out on vocals are Shawna and Tim Russell and doing a vocal duet on Never Loved You More is Coyette Camper. Rockin’ country with big hooks!!!!!!!

 

Lunacy Records latest release into the international music scene is Los Brandy Boys. Their new CD La Paloma Mensajera is now available. The group consists of seven Guatemalan nationals all now living in Oklahoma. The CD is comprised of seven originals and five Latin standards with all Spanish vocals. Los Brandy Boys are currently touring throughout Texas and Oklahoma, but have recently gone as far as the East Coast. These guys are on the move. Great party music with a great feel.

 

As always our brother Curt Shoemaker is out there running the highway throughout the Midwest. He’s currently promoting his latest gospel steel CD Gathered in His Name. This makes Curt’s third release on Lunacy along with Mega Steel and The Shoe. If you’re a fan of steel guitar, you needn’t look much farther than these three CDs. It’s all there! Earlier this year, Curt was inducted into the Kansas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Shoe recently did a gig with another Kansas native none other than Martina McBride. Congrats Shoe!

 

What can be said about “The Oklahoma Balladeer” that hasn’t already been said. Les Gilliam continues to record and travel the highways taking his music throughout the U.S. On his latest offering Hank Did It This Way, Les has compiled songs by Hank Locklin, Hank Williams, Hank Penny, and Hank Snow along with a couple of originals. This is a great western swing CD featuring the outstanding fiddle work of Greg Burgess.

In keeping with his never slow down work ethic, Les has recently been back in Lunacy studio tracking another group of swinging tunes from the 40’s and 50’s. There are some great standards in the bunch – Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, and I’m an Old Cowhand are shaping up as standouts. The CD will be available Christmas 2009.

Harpist/Vocalist, Jessica Tate recently tracked at Lunacy studios. Jessica is making quite a name for herself performing her unique music around Oklahoma. She does everything from Patsy Cline to Tom Waits to Peggy Lee singing while accompanying herself with her harp. Beautiful music and very soulful vocals. Catch her live – definitely something different.

Projects on the horizon: David Bryant, Nine Kinds of Hell, Ronnie and the Imods, Harold Jones, Kasey Criner and Albert Aguilar.

Lunacy alumni out there kickin’ it: Jennifer Lane, 2AM, Kennie Taylor, Stephanie Musser, Jack Hughes, Roland Allen, Smilin’ Vic, Thon Gya! And many more. Keep it going you all !!!!!!!!

A big thanks and acknowledgement goes out to Ron, Gary, Terry, Steve, Dennis, Shoe, Mo, Smilin’, Ian, Melissa and many others. Without your help and talent we wouldn’t be able to keep the music playin’!!!!!!!!

Thanks and God Bless.

Cope – August 2009