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Autoharpoon, Bakersfield Sound, Bart Angel, Brad Williams, Buck Owens, Cheap Trick, D.J. Fontana, Dwight Yoakam, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Johnny Darrell, Kiss, Little Rock Free Press, Mike Nelson, music, Nick Devlin, Percy Sledge, The Salty Dogs
Dubbed the “Kings of Little Rock Honky-tonk” by local musician Kevin Kerby, The Salty Dogs are promoting their new album “Autoharpoon,” a 12-song compilation of new and used cuts that fits like your favorite T-shirt.
The band’s second full-length offering provides another welcome reprieve from the slicked-up Nashville sound dominating the country music airwaves. Brad Williams provides lead vocals, plays lead guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin, and writes the vast majority of tunes played by The Salty Dogs. Bart Angel plays drums and percussion, pairing with Mike Nelson on bass to form a formidable rhythm section. Local legend Nick Devlin rounds out the quartet on electric guitar, lap steel and autoharp. Angel and Devlin often provide backing vocals.
An independent label out of Colorado that that focuses on traditional country, country rock and a couple of bluegrass bands, Big Bender Records picked up The Salty Dogs in February, providing full distribution so that country music fans can grab the album at Best Buy, Sam Goody’s and iTunes. Of course, the album can also be found on the band’s Web site and MySpace page, or by emailing Miles of Music.
However, don’t think the band intends to change to attract the major record labels.
“I think if the opportunity came available where we could do something else, we’d have to think about it long and hard,” Williams says. “I don’t see us beating any doors down (to land a contract from a major label).” Continue reading