Click here to see the One Flew South widget with videos, pictures, information on the band and more!  http://widget.nabbr.com/oneflewsouth.html

Hear “My Kind of Beautiful” only on the valley’s new country leader, KMLE Country 108! 

One Flew South, the new incredible band to discover if you like Eagles, Poco & CSN&Y!!!

“With beautiful echoes of the great harmony groups like Poco, Eagles, even The Beach Boys; One Flew South are the new kids in town.” — JD Souther

They’re called One Flew South, but Royal Reed, Chris Roberts and Eddie Bush, whose debut album is aptly titled Last of the Good Guys, actually had to fly north to launch their career.

The Nashville-based trio’s vocal sound fit in perfectly with the progressive thinkers at Decca/Universal Records, in whose New York offices they auditioned. The result was instant signing—both to a recording contract and song publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

But One Flew South is no overnight success. Rather, the three vocalist-songwriters have been involved in show business for years prior to hitting upon a perfect combination–and actualizing a long-held notion of a band starring three superbly matched vocalists.

Chris Roberts was the first future member of the threesome to test the concept. The New Orleans native, who had moved to New York by way of Montana (he met Royal in New York where both had gravitated in pursuit of a music career), ended up in Nashville, where he was encouraged by legendary country music singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin–who had his own stellar career singing lead in a trio with his brothers.

“We started talking about doing a vocal trio,” said Chris. “I hadn’t heard anything like that since Crosby, Stills & Nash.”

Hailing from El Paso, Royal Reed came from a musical family and played in a top circuit country/western band. After working as a studio and demo singer in Los Angeles, he wended his way to New York.

“We batted around the idea for a trio but never found a third person we liked,” Royal recalls. So he returned to Los Angeles, and Chris to Nashville, But Royal eventually headed to the Music City, too, when a friend enlisted him to play bass in a rock band.

Meanwhile, Chris hooked up with Marcus Hummon, a Nashville-based songwriter whose catalog contained six No. 1 hits from the likes of The Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts‘ Grammy-winning “Bless the Broken Road.”

“We started to write together,” Chris continues. “We realized that we had a fairly strong musical connection. He embraced the trio idea and agreed with Larry that it was something that was missing from today’s music scene. We went through three or four different guys before finding Eddie.”

Eddie Bush was a certified guitar hero back in his home state of South Carolina and throughout the Southeast.

After his hero and fellow guitar ace Eric Johnson took him under his wing, he began performing solo acoustic sets throughout the club circuit, and later opened theater shows for the likes of Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar, Jefferson Starship, REO Speedwagon, Eddie Money and .38 Special. “I was making a country record in Nashville, so I started showcasing—and that’s how I met Marcus Hummon,” said Eddie. Marcus had attended one of Eddie’s Nashville showcases, and brought him to Chris. Royal, of course, was already in town.

The resulting demos quickly led to the Decca signing through a production deal with New York management company DSW Entertainment. The trio then proceeded to record their debut, Last of the Good Guys, with the help of top songwriters–most notably J.D. Souther, who co-wrote such Eagles’ classics as “Best of My Love” and “Heartache Tonight.“

Also enlisted were session musicians to provide an instrumental sound as classic as the three-part vocal blend. The key players were drummer John Gardner, bassist Mark Prentice, banjo player Wanda Vick, and of course Eddie on guitars–with added coloring from Bruce Hornsby & The Range guitarist George Marinelli and Marcus Hummon on acoustic guitar and mandolin and piano.

One Flew South, Royal, Chris and Eddie agree that through their meeting they’ve been given a chance to follow a shared passion. Their music unites them, their songs inspire them and together their talents, their desire and their artistry give them all the personal nourishment that they need. No studio magic, no bells or whistle; they all sing lead, simultaneously as one, indivisibly and beautifully.

Mike, Leslie and Scott Harter grew up here in the Valley.  I met Mike many years ago when he was a solo artist.  Now, he, his sister and brother are "The Harter's".  They live and work in Nashville, and have been in-studio working on their very first CD.  If you'd like to hear more, click here http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=33275878

Brenda Thompson sent me an e-mail last week with this request:

“Hi Gwen.  I was wondering if you know of any place (inexpensive) to learn line dancing.  My friend and I are trying to get more information and would love to learn.  Love your show! Brenda”

If you know of places where Brenda and her friend can learn to do the Boot Scootin’ Boogie and other line dances, send me the info. by clicking on the comment link below.

 Thanks KMLE Nation!!

Brad Paisley’s has completed the recording of his

upcoming new album, a 15-song set of

instrumentals titled Play, set for release Sept. 2.

The project will feature several guests, including B.B. King, the late Buck Owens, Vince Gill and Steve Wariner. “One song that I worked up is going to have six guests on it and it’s called ‘Cluster Pluck.’ It’s a tribute to my favorite chicken pickers,” says Brad. “Things like that are what make an instrumental record fun.”

RANDY HOUSER

New artist Randy Houser performed for the KMLE Krew and a few KMLE Nation Citizens last week in the KMLE conference room.  If you’d like to attend the next New Artist ”KMLE Music Live Event” please click “No comment” below and let me know.  I’ll send you the details!

Find out more about Randy Houser here www.randyhouser.com.  

Click here to see the video of Randy’s performance http://www.kmle108.com/Randy-Houser-performs-at-the-KMLE-Studios/2668609. 

Backstage at the Toby Keith concert, July 10, 2008 at Cricket Pavillion, “the night of the great flood”!

View of the Frio River from our camp.   This is where we spent all our time!  Our camp spot is located about 1 1/2 hours West of San Antonio, just south of Garner State Park.

We always bring home a new Frio t-shirt each year!

My family has been camping here since I was kid, but this is the first time I’ve ever taken a picture of the gate entrance. I hopped out of the car as we were pulling out early Friday morning and took this beautiful shot.

Frio cuties!  My daughter Lawsen is on the right with her cousins.

My son Dillon (middle) demonstrating the Frio River “hang” with family members.  Evan (right) has achieved Frio River nirvana!

Another early morning shot as we were leaving the Frio.   Look carefully and you can see the deer! 

It is all about family at the Frio.  This is my big sis Margaret.   

Frio is spanish for COLD and it is!  Hey guys!  I am going to be on vacation July 14 - 18.  It’s time for my family’s annual FRIO RIVER camping trip (see Gwen’s Song-ology - “All My Exes Live in Texas” - on this blog page).   While I’m gone, Cactus Jack is going to be on the radio for me from 9a-1p each day.  Be nice to him, ok?!! 

I’ve been going on this same camping trip with my Daddy since I was a little girl of 4 or 5.  Here are a few things I’ve learned about what to do/what not to do on a camping trip.  Thought I’d pass them on to you!

Happy Camping!  Love you, Miss you, Be back soon!   Gwen Foster 

 Never cook a meal while sitting inside your tent, even when it’s raining outside. (Trust me. Your tent will explode.) 

Never forget that “freeze-dried’’ and “chili’’ is a very bad combination. (Trust me. You will explode.) 

Never attempt to brush your teeth in total darkness. Preparation H does not fight gum recession.  And it tastes fishy.  

Never underestimate the amount of toilet paper you will use in the backcountry. (Sticks and stones won’t break your bones, but they will leave nicks and abrasions on your derriere.)  

Never try to reason with anyone riding an All-Terrain Vehicle—especially if he (or she) is drunk, and holding a 12-gauge Mossberg hunting rifle, and wearing a knit cap that says “I Like Big Jugs.’’ 

Never camp at a suspiciously beautiful, yet strangely empty, lakeside campsite. It is probably empty for very good reasons (think “flood plain,” “poisoned water,” and “spaniel-sized mosquitoes.”) 

Never cut the handles off the toothbrush “to save pack weight.” Toothbrushes weigh less than an ounce—and if you try to brush your teeth with the head of a toothbrush, it will fall down your throat and lodge in your trachea, and you will die.  

Never bring artisan-quality cheddar cheese into the Mojave Desert with you in mid-June. A horrid white pus will extrude from the cheese, and you will vomit.  

Never bring a fondue maker into the woods with you. The bread crumbs, fruit wedges, gas and molten cheese will form a white magma that will spew all over you, leaving fourth-degree burns all over your entire body. 

Never try to make your girlfriend—or boyfriend—hike faster by calling out a military cadence in a fake Southern accent. (“Sound off! Sound off! One, two, three, foe!”) 

Never set up your tent in the middle of a mule trail in the North Cascades. Brighty, Big Snort and Old Thunder will trample you to death in your sleep.   

Never eat the freeze-dried stroganoff.  It has been mummified and sealed away for good reason.

Lawrence Adds To Rocky Comfort Roster

Sarah Skates – 07/03/2008

Tracy Lawrence continues to add to the roster of his Rocky Comfort Records (RCR), which is now home to four artists. He most recently signed Zona Jones, an established country singer who has spent several years on the Texas/Louisiana club circuit. Jones, who just completed a new album, is starting a radio promotion tour and plans to release his first single by the end of July. As reported this morning, RCR also recently signed Michael Scott. His debut single “Ray Ray’s Juke Joint” will be released later this month.Lawrence launched the Nashville based Rocky Comfort Records on July 25, 2006, as a partnership with his manager Laney Lawrence. The label has had much success from both radio and retail with the hit “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” and “Til I Was A Daddy Too,” both off Tracy’s current CD, For The Love.

(L-R) Back: Attorney Wayne Halper and Manager Laney Lawrence. Front: Zona Jones and Tracy Lawrence.