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We see those big 18 wheeled trucks all over the world hauling
fright down the black ribbon of tarmac. For The
Long Haul: Songs For The Open Road takes the bluegrass lane
with 11 tracks dedicated to those men and women who drive the big rigs
for their crust of bread.
Musician and truck driving veteran of 20 years Big Al Weekley
conceived the project in April 2000 and along with singer/songwriter
Bill Napier they planned to release the project. Unfortunately due to
the untimely bereavement of Bill the project was put on hold. Big Al
decided to continue with the album in 2002 and drew an incredible
line-up of singers and fine pickers to climb on board, dedicating it
the memory of Bill Napier.
The legendary Dave Dudley will be remembered on the country
scene for his truck driving songs. Along with his wife Marie, Dave
specially wrote and sets the tone with the opening track "Drivin'
Trains", which is the first time Dave Dudley has recorded
using an all-acoustic format. Also climbing on board is the "Auctioneer"
himself…Leroy Van Dyke offering the humorous and somewhat
long-winded title "Who's Gonna Run The
Truckstop In Tuba City When I'm Gone". This is also the
first time Dudley and Van Dyke appear on the same album.
As those 18-wheelers roll on, Valerie Smith brings her powerful
vocals into action on "Alone In The Still
Of The Night", telling of a female truck driver recently
broken up with her partner. The air is filled with "Diesel
Smoke On Danger Road" driven on by Chris Jones, while we
are carried back to our loved ones with Ken Orrick and those "18
Wheels Hummin' (Home Sweet Home)". Don Rigsby tells us
about Tom T. Hall's truckstop child "Ravishing
Ruby", while Towns Van Zandt's "White
Freightliner" rolls on past with Tony King at the wheel.
An ideal vehicle, whether driving one of those giant rigs or the
tiniest of cars For The Long Haul is
bound to make your journey a lot shorter. Climb aboard yourself, drop
into fifth gear and cruise on this magical bluegrass journey. Big Al
Weekley offers two tracks as he leads this convoy while "18
Wheels Roll On", taking up the back marker on the "Endless
Black Ribbon". A tip-top album that transports with
delight and leaves you lingering for more….Roll on Volume 2!!! For
further details to purchase this fine CD contact www.longhaulmusic.com
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