Artist Information Biography Markus Rill writes about The Things That Count. He sets intelligent, moving  lyrics about dealing with the winding ways of life & love to atmospheric folk  music, stark country, driving rock'n'roll, or a fascinating amalgam thereof. His unique sandpaper-and-gravel voice adds another layer of depth and character. The German-born singer-songwriter has won awards and accolades for his songwriting, he has toured all over Europe and played some of the biggest festivals & finest clubs in the USA (SXSW, Folk Alliance, the Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN., the Cactus Café in Austin, Tx.), he has recorded with the most in-demand players on the Americana scene - Duane Jarvis, Steve Conn, Fats Kaplin, Dave Jacques, Bryan Owings to name but a few -, and he has shared stages with the incomparable Townes van Zandt, Tom Russell, Chris Knight, Steve Wynn, Hal Ketchum, and countless others. An impressive resume. And yet The Things That Count, Rill's sixth studio album, is his finest work to date - even though its predecessor The Price Of Sin ended up on numerous year-end best lists. His songwriting packs punch and insight, Richard McLaurin's production opens up new soundscapes, and Rill's vocal delivery goes right under your skin. There's lines that will resonate, melodies you'll be singing along with, and stories that'll keep you thinking. Sarah Stein, a story song about a famous ballet dancer who escaped yet couldn't forget Nazi Germany, is simply the most moving song you'll hear in a mighty long time. Rill is all about substance. There's no gloss nor make-up, there's no paint-by-numbers wanna-be hits - there's only twelve truly great songs and plenty of inspired musicianship. The Things That Count is an album that counts. What the critics are saying: "Songs shimmering beautifully with ambiguity ... brilliant lyrics" (Rolling Stone/Germany) "First-rate songs ... he could give those guys in Texas a few lessons" (Village Records/USA) "Sharply drawn flesh & blood-characters - a songwriter with boot-dirt authenticity" (Miles Of Music/USA) "The songs are exquisite, not a false note or word, but it is definitely the singer who sells them." (Dale Jellings recommends/USA) "If voices were highways, Markus Rill's would be gravel ... like Steve Earle, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams, he excels at songwriting" (PureMusic/USA) Awards: - 1st prize winner International Narrative Song Competition 2007 for "The Price You Pay For Sin" - finalist International Sonwriting Competition 2007 with "Me & Bonnie Parker" - finalist International Sonwriting Competition 2006 with Dying Bed - finalist American Songwriter magazine competition 2006 - finalist South Florida Folk festival 2006 - honorable mention Unisong Contest 2006 & 2007 Instrumentation solo: acoustic guitar, vocal, harmonica acoustic duo with: Andi Obieglo - piano, accordion, acoustic guitar, harmony vocal or with Robert Hasleder - dobro, Weissenborn, mandolin, banjo Markus Rill & The Gunslingers: 6-piece band with electric guitar, guitar/mandolin/accordion, piano, upright bass, drums & vocal/acoustic guitar/harmonica Discography albums: The Things That Count (January 2008, Blue Rose) Live (2006, self-released) The Price Of Sin (2006, Blue Rose) Hobo Dream (2004, Blue Rose) The Hobo Companion (2004, self-released) Nowhere Begins (2001, Music Network) The Devil & The Open Road (1999, Blue Rose) Gunslinger's Tales (1997, self-released) Songs: "Hobo Dream" and "Hope I'll Get To Heaven" featured in the US independent movie "Last Stand" (2005) "Haunted House" featured in the US independent movie "Lost On The B-Side" (scheduled for release in 2006) Links http://www.markusrill.net Markus on myspace Blue Rose Records