LOUISVILLE, KY. (Top40 Charts/ ear X-tacy Records) - ear X-tacy Records announces the signing of singer/songwriter Mickey Clark and the February 17, 2009, release of his label debut CD, Winding Highways, produced by acclaimed producer Jim
Rooney (Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Iris DeMent, Townes Van Zandt). The CD is being distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution. Backing Mickey Clark on the sessions is an all-star band of some of Nashville's finest musicians, including Sam Bush (mandolin), Tim Crouch (fiddle, mandolin), Al Perkins (dobro, pedal steel, slide guitar), Dave Pomeroy (bass) and Pat McInerney (drums), augmented by such guests as
Robin and
Linda Williams, Tim Krekel, Turley Richards, Barry Walsh and Kirk 'Jellyroll' Johnson. A special vocal treat on Winding Highways features Mickey Clark joined by John Prine, Kinky Friedman and Jerry Jeff Walker on the instant cowboy/barroom classic sing-along penned by Clark and Jim Zerface, 'Don't Piss on My Boots (and Tell Me It's Rainin').' Walker also contributes vocals and harmonica to Clark's passionate rendering of 'Utah' Phillips' 'Goodnight-Loving Trail,' which closes the album.
Winding Highways is driven by Mickey Clark's songs (10 of the 14 tracks he either wrote or co-wrote) that speak of characters real and honest, told with the heart and soul of a cowboy poet in a setting that's equally at-home in a folk club or honky tonk roadhouse. Producer Jim Rooney captures the words and sounds in the perfect organic studio setting, with a musical compassion and clarity missing from so many of today's albums.
Louisville native Mickey Clark moved to New York City early in his career and became a regular in the Greenwich Village folk clubs and coffeehouses of the '60s, crossing paths with Bob Dylan, Ian Tyson and Leo Kottke, among others. In a 1974 interview, Bob remarked after hearing Clark perform in Chicago that he wanted him as an artist on Dylan's own Ashes and Sand label that he was considering at the time. In the liner notes for his 1997 anthology album, Kottke said after hearing Mickey perform the song, 'Louise' (which is included the new album): 'Mickey was the real article, and he knocked me out. He was a great singer, and I haven't heard anyone who could do what he did.'
Mickey Clark has performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Smithsonian Folk Festival and National Folk Festival. He was also featured on two National Geographic albums: Cowboy Songs and Songs of the Civil War. Clark's songs have been recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys, Tompall and the Glaser Brothers, Glenn Yarbrough and Jerry Lee Lewis.
After stepping away from music full-time for many years to help raise a family, Mickey Clark got the itch again to record and perform in 2004 and began doing local shows in and around Louisville. His meeting with Jim Rooney in early 2008 brought together two people of similar backgrounds and paths, and the idea of Rooney producing a new Mickey Clark album was born.
'I hadn't talked to Mickey for five minutes when I knew we were kindred spirits,' remembers Rooney. 'If anything, he's more focused than ever. The songs he sings are about real people, their ups, their downs. They are full of compassion, love of life and laughter. Mickey has kept company with some of the best. When he called, they did not hesitate. They were ready to join their friend in this celebration of a life lived in song. I was proud to join them. They probably realize more than most what it means to live such a life without losing faith. Mickey Clark has kept the faith.'
About ear X-tacy Records: John Timmons founded and owns the ear-X-tacy record store in Louisville, one of the most successful independent music stores in the country. Besides selling CDs and having numerous in-store performances, ear-X-tacy has a small record label, and John recently was honored by the state of Kentucky with the 2007-08 Governor's Award in the Arts for his support of local music. When Mickey told John of his plan to do the CD, and to pursue Jim Rooney as producer, he told Mickey he wanted to help out with the project, and would like to release the CD on the ear-X-tacy label.
Radio promotion for Mickey Clark's CD, Winding Highways, is being handled by Al Promotion in Nashville.
For more information, visit www.mickeyclark.com
