Americana, Folk and Acoustic Music - New CD by Doug Spears on Cypress Moss Records Celebrates Heart and Soul of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 28, 2009 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Doug Spears
Cypress Moss Records
36 Interlaken Road, Orlando, FL 32804
407-257-4242 - Doug@dougspearsmusic.com
www.dougspearsmusic.com

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Americana, Folk and Acoustic Music - New CD by Doug Spears on Cypress Moss Records Celebrates Heart and Soul of Florida

Welcome visit Our WebSite:

http://www.dougspearsmusic.com

December 21, 2009 - Orlando, FL – For those who think of Florida as simply a neon vacation spot full of tourist attractions, palm trees and northern retirees arguing over hanging chads, think again. Doug Spears' deep sense of place and love of his native Florida stride to center stage of the national Americana, folk and acoustic music scene with Welcome Home, his star-studded new release on the Cypress Moss Records label. “When you think of any other southern state, you think of some aspect of their landmarks, their culture, their food, their history,” says Spears. “But when most folks think of Florida they think palm trees (most of which aren’t native), golf courses, beach resorts and theme parks. That’s just the commercialized “crust” of Florida and it ignores the rich culture, history and heritage rooted deep in our sandy soil. I’m working to break through those shallow preconceptions of my homeland.” Fourteen original songs, including a special bonus track, deliver vivid images, colorful characters and fascinating tales of the largely unknown and unsung side of Florida in the words of a master storyteller and the music of a latter day minstrel. This music isn't about the Florida of Disney World, Margaritaville and spring break. These songs speak of the real Florida, seen through the eyes of a fourth generation native son. It is the Florida of the tenacious “cracker” that finds a way to survive and thrive no matter what in Yellow Butter Moon and Marker 26. It's a state with a fascinating history of achievement, tragedy, hardship and even shame revealed in Steam Train, Hemingway's Hurricane, Teppintine and A Mother's Tears. It is the great beauty and natural wonders celebrated in Withlacoochee Dreamer and Big Bald Cypress. It is the disappearing wild paradise lamented in On the Other Side and Okeechobee. It is a very personal view of Florida as home, not destination, in This Old House.

Welcome Home is the masterful result of the collaboration of Spears, the songwriter, storyteller and performer, and Jason Thomas, the consummate musician, arranger and producer. Conceived as an album to portray Florida as it truely is, not as it is often perceived, the album blends the finest from Florida's considerable reservoir of musical talent with some of the most celebrated acoustic musicians that Nashville has to offer. As fiddle and mandolin player for the Grammy nominated Claire Lynch Band, Jason Thomas brought his own talents as well as those of Claire Lynch, Missy Raines, Rob Ickes, Jim Hurst, Mark Schatz and Kenny Malone to the project to compliment the contributions of Florida musicians Lis & Lon Williamson, Gabe Valla, Bob Rafkin and many more. The result is a show piece of exceptional musicianship, tight arrangements and varying styles produced superbly to elevate and support the songs delivered through Doug's distinct, rich vocals and guitar. Slated for release nationally to acoustic music radio in January 2010 by Kari Estrin Management & Consulting in Nashville, TN, the album is already garnering significant national attention in preliminary reviews. Al Kniola, host of The Back Porch on 88.1 WVPE Public Radio, South Bend, IN predicts that Welcome Home is likely to be a top 30 pick for 2010. Steve Jerrett of KOPN's Sunday Morning Coffeehouse radio show in Columbia, MO (A Sing Out! Radio Partner) says “this CD is a treasure delivered by a master storyteller and true artist.”

A seasoned performer, touring annually throughout the South, Atlantic coast and the Mid-West, Doug Spears has invested more than 35 years honing his craft and with each song bite, the rich flavors penetrate the listening palate. Born in Leesburg, a small town in West Central Florida, Doug's best childhood memories tie back to the farm house his grandfather built in the 1920's (the cracker house depicted on the cover of Welcome Home). He took up the guitar at age 12, learning on an old Gibson J-45 loaned to him by a family friend, and soon began writing his own songs heavily influenced by the wealth of songwriter poets of the time. The finest blend of musician and storyteller, Doug's native southern roots flow through his music revealing the history, values and perspectives that define him.

Spears has a busy schedule through the holidays and early 2010. On Sunday, December 27th he will join Bob Rafkin and others in a special holiday concert at Leu Gardens in Orlando beginning at 2:30 pm. On January 16 and 17, Doug will perform as part of Broward Folk’s two day Round Up event in Ft. Lauderdale, followed by a performance at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, January 19th. A CD Release Event will take place on January 23rd in Keystone Heights, FL where Doug will be joined by many of the artists that appeared on the album. Then in February he takes the CD on the road with shows in AL, MS, TN and GA, incuding showcase performances at the North American Folk alliance Conference in Memphis, TN. After that Spears returns to Florida for Steve Fest, in Punta Gorda, FL Feb. 26 - 28, staged in memory of Florida educator and songwriter, Steve Blackwell, for whom the title track of the album, Welcome Home, was written and to whom the album is dedicated.

“This album is about the Florida I was born and grew up in,” says Spears. “It is the Florida of Patrick D. Smith, Zora Neele Hurston and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. My Florida has its own deeply rooted culture,history and heritage – some of it good, some not, but all part of what makes Florida a special and unique place. That Florida still exists if you know where to look.” Doug has been described as having “sand in his boots and orange blossom honey in his throat” and Welcome Home proves the point taking his Florida music to a national audience. “Great stories, great characters, strong vocals, wonderful ...” Steve Gillette, Compass Rose Music. The CD is available at CDBaby.com and dougspearsmusic.com and will soon be available through iTunes, eMusic, Napster and all major digital download distributors.

For more information contact:

Doug Spears
Cypress Moss Records
36 Interlaken Road, Orlando, FL 32804
407-257-4242 - Doug@dougspearsmusic.com
www.dougspearsmusic.com

Kari Estrin
Kari Estrin Management & Consulting
PO Box 60232
Nashville, TN 37206
615-262-0883 - Kari@kariestrin.com
www.kariestrin.com

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More information can be found online at http://www.dougspearsmusic.com

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