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Jason Roberts: Texas Fiddle Man |
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“We've worked together for the past 10 years…and I consider Jason the most talented musician I've ever worked with. At 26 years old he has mastered the art of western swing fiddle, mandolin and guitar…I was impressed when I first met him at 15 and he continues to impress me today.” - Ray Benson Track List 1.
Fiddlin' Around You can find more information, sound clips and ordering information at:
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Jason Roberts is no stranger to the Texas country music scene. At the
young age of 26, he's already racked up a pretty impressive resume, having
played or recorded with a full roster of well-known artists and musicians.
At the age of fourteen he snagged a regular gig with Don Walser's 'Pure
Texas Band,' staying with them for two years. Over the years he's found
himself in the company of Clay Walker, Hank Thompson, Johnny Bush, Lyle
Lovett, George Strait and Willie Nelson, just to drop a few names, but his
biggest break would come via an invitation from Ray Benson to take to the
road with the renowned, Grammy award winning band, Asleep At The Wheel. One of the most commendable qualities of 'Asleep at the Wheel' is how the extraordinary individual talents combine to make one of the tightest bands playing today. An integral part of that cohesive unit for the past few years has been Jason Roberts and his fiddle; and his promising solo venture comes as no surprise to those who've been fortunate enough to catch the legendary Texas show band live. Jason's on equally solid footing whether the song is solid country or one of an array of notable instrumental standards the exemplify the variedness of western swing's historic influences. Accompanied by a stellar roster of players, there's plenty of fiddle, steel and honky-tonk piano to last the entire 12 tracks. Joining Jason for the instrumental duties are: Ray Benson (acoustic and electric guitar); David Miller, Terry Hale (bass); David Sanger (drums); Johnny Gimble, (fiddle, mandolin); Rick McCrae (fiddle, electric/acoustic guitars); John Michael Whitby and Floyd Domino (piano) and Jim Murphy and Cindy Cashdollar (steel guitar.) Proving that good country music never goes out of style, he and co-producer Ray Benson demonstrate their knack for picking a great mix of gems to showcase in this solo debut. A fitting tribute to his own country music pedigree, Jason kicks off the album with the standard 'Fiddlin' Around,' written by the legendary Johnny Gimble, who just also happens to be his second cousin. 'You Done Me Wrong,' is already starting to garner attention and was recently pegged by Bill Mack (host of XM Radio's Overdrive Country Music) as the Dynamic Discovery of the week. Co-penned in the 1950's by destined-to-be country legends Ray Price and George Jones, Jason lays instant claim to the classic honky-tonk song making the listener instantly aware of what a rarity it is these days when vocals compliment the music, not compete with it. George Strait may soon be cashing a few songwriting royalty checks. For the second time this year the western swing of his self penned 'I Can't See Texas From Here,' makes an appearance on a debut release by a young, up and coming Texan. Makes you wonder what would have happened if George hadn't given up songwriting. Jason's smooth vocals effortlessly revive the infamous Lefty Frizzell/Sanger D. Shafer hit: 'Bandy the Rodeo Clown,' while at the same time, as an added premium, Jimmy Murphy and his steel guitar downright shine on this classic country tune. "Last call" comes too soon with Bob Will's 'End of the Line,' (Bob Wills/Jack Gimble) but fortunately you don't have to shuffle reluctantly out of the dance hall - the experience is only one hit of the replay button away. From the unadulterated country to it's jazzy western swing, Jason Roberts' Texas Fiddle Man' is an outstanding solo debut in the midst of one of Texas' most outstanding careers.
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Laurie Joulie
Take Country Back August 2002