Brad Davis I'm Not Gonna Let My Blues Bring Me Down CD

One can certainly point to the high-profile guest stars who are heard on the debut album of journeyman guitarist Brad Davis, and a sticker on the shrink wrap of the CD does just that, noting the presence of Earl Scruggs (banjo on "The Clock Strikes Twice"), Tommy Shaw of Styx (vocals on "Tell Me Son"), Sam Bush (mandolin on "Old Number Nine"), and actor/singer Billy Bob Thornton (vocals on "Tell Me Son"), among others. But the guest shots give a false impression of the contents of the album, which is a solo tour de force by Davis, who overdubs several instruments on most tracks, playing guitar, mandolin, bass, drums, and percussion in addition to singing lead vocals and handling all the technical aspects of producing, engineering, mixing, and even mastering, having written or co-written all the tracks except the traditional "Rank Stranger." Davis' prominent guests are also his employers; he has served as lead guitarist for the likes of Scruggs, Thornton, and Bush, not to mention a longstanding association with Marty Stuart. And it is Davis' acoustic guitar-picking that stands out on many of these tracks, which reveals a distinctive instrumental style on his part, but one steeped in country and bluegrass tradition. Davis' songs border on the generic, but they serve as good platforms for him to pick, either with himself or one or more of his guests. He may not be ready to join his friends as a frontman quite yet, but I'm Not Gonna Let My Blues Bring Me Down is a good beginning for his solo career. ~ William Ruhlmann

Having spent the last fifteen years performing on stage as a member of Marty Stuart's road band, playing lead acoustic guitar with Earl Scruggs and Friends, and playing lead electric and acoustic guitar with Billy Bob Thornton's rock band, Brad Davis now brings his acoustic guitar and songwriting talent to the forefront with the release of his new solo recording I'm Not Gonna Let My Blues Get Me Down. This album not only presents Brad?s unique blend of acoustic blues, rock, country, and bluegrass and highlights his vocal, songwriting, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and bass talents, its real excitement is the interaction between Brad and some of the world's most talented musicians from the bluegrass, newgrass, country, and rock genres. Brad's concept on this recording was to write and record the music that he loves with the musical friends and heroes who he knew could help him get the most out of each song. Guest artists on this CD include: banjo legend Earl Scruggs, movie star Billy Bob Thornton, Sam Bush (Newgrass Revival, Nash Ramblers, Sam Bush Band), David Grier (3-time IBMA guitar player of the year), Rob Ickes (Blue Highway), Greg Davis, Tommy Shaw (Styx, Damn Yankees), John Jorgenson (Elton John, Desert Rose Band, Hellecasters), Jon Randall (Nash Ramblers, Sam Bush Band), bluegrass fiddler legend Glen Duncan, and Kelly Nolf.In addition to playing lead electric and acoustic guitars on the road with Marty Stuart for over ten years, Brad Davis also played on Marty's gold selling album "This Ones Gonna Hurt You," the Marty Stuart "Hit Pack," and Marty's latest MCA recording "The Pilgrim." Brad played on the soundtrack of Steven Seagal's "Fire Down Below," and performed music for Billy Bob Thornton's upcoming Miramax releases "Daddy And Them" and "Waking Up In Reno." Brad also recorded two new album projects featuring Billy Bob Thornton on Mercury and has toured both Europe and the United States as the lead guitar player for Billy Bob Thornton's band. Additionally, Brad has worked for, or recorded with, Willie Nelson, Emmy Lou Harris, Pam Tillis, The Forester Sisters, The Sweethearts of the Rodeo, and currently tours with Billy Bob Thornton, and banjo legend Earl Scruggs as the lead guitar player for the band Earl Scruggs & Friends. Additonally, Brad will tour extensively in 2003 as the lead guitar player for the Sam Bush Band and play select solo dates to promote his new CD "I'm Not Gonna Let My Blues Get Me Do