Under the helm of Pappy Daily, D Records put many a familiar name on the signature line of a record deal, turning virtual unknowns into household names and giving young, energetic talent the support and hand up that's needed in the dog eat dog world of the music business. Pappy Daily had knack for recognizing potential and a vision of supporting and nurturing talent. During D Records heyday, amongst the roster of burgeoning talents he showcased were the names of George Jones, Willie Nelson, The Big Bopper, Clay Baker and George Strait just to mention a few.

Speed ahead a few decades to 2004. In 1975 after pressing 3 singles of a then unknown Texas singer, George Strait, Pappy retired and his sons Bud and Don concentrated on the publishing branch of the family business, Glad Music. The label wouldn't see action again for over two decades until Wes Daily re-commissioned the legendary label. Like his grandfather, Wes Daily's patience and his belief in the talent and potentials of his small roster is what makes this label unique. The Daily family realizes that a career isn't built on one song - but a solid foundation of talent and good records. What also sets them apart in the ability to recognize real country music - rather than take the easy road and copy the flavor of the week. D Records seems to be able to balance the corporate reality of bottom lines and promotion with the creative realities of building a fan base, developing talent and creating solid albums from the opening track to the last.

Within a short time of each other, the label signed two virtual unknowns to the roster and from them came two remarkable, critically acclaimed debut albums: Jamie Richards with No Regrets and Jason Allen's Something I Dreamed. Both albums showcased solid country music and soon made Texas radio stations sit up and take notice. Both albums had more than one single climbing the Texas Music Chart with Jason pulling in a number one spot with Lucky Arms. The Daily Family's hard work and perseverance was paying off and the family's longstanding reputation remained impeccable. The label's most recent addition to the roster is Beaumont, Texas native Zona Jones. At the time of this writing all three artists are represented on the Texas Music Chart - Jason at #18 , Jamie showing at #21 and Zona Jones' debut single making an appearance in the Top 30 at #29.

Zona Jones cut his teeth on a string of hometown alumni who've already left their own distinct marks on the country music scene, George Jones, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chestnut and Clay Walker. As with many new generation traditionalists, he was also influenced by the early career of another fellow Texan.. “I’ll never forget the first time I heard George Strait. It was unbelievable, my friends and I finally just wore out our copy of Strait Country. That rekindled the childhood flame of wanting to be a country singer. I knew then, that this is what I wanted to do.”

After years of paying his dues in dim lit honkytonks it was time for Zona to step things up a notch. In search of a strong Texas label that would help get his music out to a wider audience, along with his knowledge of the Daily family's legacy and the recent success of Jamie Richards and Jason Allen on the Texas Music Charts, he decided to approach the staff at D Records. Recognizing Zona's potential, a deal was struck and so far it appears that all have benefited. Zona's straight ahead approach to a song and his vocal abilities fit in perfectly with what was already happening at the D Records office in Houston.

On February 10th Harleys & Horses was released. The first single to radio, House of Negotiable Affections, is garnering immediate adds, which in this day and age is an impressive feat for a new artist.

The music on this album is gutsy and straight forward, there's no sitting around after the last tune's played and wondering where it fits in broad spectrum of country music - it's smack dab, dead centered bulls-eye. Buoyed by a solid roster of songwriters and musicians the album stands toe to toe with the impressive early releases of George Strait, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt and Brad Paisley.

One of the most notable elements of this album is its versatility. The album boasts a healthy dose of honkytonk, a little Texas swing, two-steppin, toe tappin, uptempo tunes and a great offering of ballads that are a far cry from today's usual sugar coated fare. The album is solid, the music is fresh and the tradition is tangible and it all mixes to make one of the best album's to debut this year.

Album highlights include:

One Fool On A Stool: alternatively titled, Greensnakes on the Ceiling, this song is probably sung somewhere in a Texas honkytonk on any given night. It's hard to compete with previous recordings of the tune, particularly when one of them is the Texas cult classic version from the legendary Johnny Bush, but Zona makes this tune his own and proves it timeless.

Whiskey Kind of Way  It's been awhile since there's been a new adult themed cry in your beer song. Whiskey Kind of Way fills the bill while Zona's first rate, twangy vocal inflections echo the pain.

House of Negotiable Affections Texas swing's the thing with the album's first single House of Negotiable Affections. The first single from the album it's a fun, toe tappin way to introduce Zona to country radio.

Back In Your Arms The Keith Gattis' tune Back In Your Arms is solid honkytonk of the floor filler style its healthy dose of twang and steel and showcases Zona's knack for vocal phrasing that recalls more than one of his Beaumont , Tx counterparts. This Keith Gattis tune has been recorded on a number of debut albums out of Texas recently - and one listen tells you why -- this is a hit waiting to happen - a tune where twang and steel guitar take the forefront with no apologies. .

My Hat's Of To Him - Another potential hit - this fiddle and steel drenched ballad garnered some attention from Doug Stone's version a few years back - it's ready to be brought into the spotlight again and Zona's rendition may be just the one to do it.

All Of Me -  Country's ready for another traditional revolution and this one could help lead the way! This classic and classy uptempo tune conjures up the same fresh excitement that George Strait did in the early 80's and its a perfect cap to a perfect album.

It's refreshing to hear an album that shows no fear in embracing solid, straight ahead country music. Zona enthusiastically delivers all of what country has always been with a promise that there are many more years of tradition to come.

Drop in to www.zonajones.com for more info and sound clips. You won't regret it!

Laurie Joulie TakeCountryBack February 2004