Flatt & Alvis

These boys offer contemporary country music with a definite Southern Rock influence. Their harmonies are stand-out as well as their song-writing abilities, ten of the album's twelve tunes were penned by Flatt with "Rollin' Down the Highway" co-written with Alvis. Excellently produced by Dustin Michael for the independent Nashville Noir label, the CD showcases talent that should be commercially viable and headed for stardom. You'll want to own this one, so look for it at your favorite record store.

Brad Fischer 6/7 Stars - Nashville Music Guide

For nearly a century, the city of Nashville has been known as the “Music City of the World” - home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, and the magnificent sound of Country Music itself. But more than anything else, Nashville is known for its unending succession of artists that always seem to break every rule in the book – and Nashville certainly has a lot of rules to break! In 2006, there is a new chapter being written in the pages of Nashville’s lengthy music history. Our story begins as two young artists are poised on the brink, taking one final breath before the biggest plunge of their lives - Two artists that have the weight of a family legacy on their shoulders… Nashville born and raised singer/songwriters Stephen Flatt and Shane Alvis have just completed their long-awaited debut album entitled “Fields of Fire” (Nashville Noir 2006) with the help of celebrated producer/director Dustin Michael. Using traditional live/acoustic recording techniques, and focusing on the duo’s ingenious harmonies and presence, the album presents Flatt & Alvis’ dark and soulful music in a most unforgettable way. Also accompanying Flatt & Alvis on “Fields of Fire” is an all-star cast of legendary Nashville musicians: Peter Hyrka (Human Radio, Sixpence None the Richer), Dave Roe Rorick (Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam), Mike Headrick (Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis), and Guthrie Trapp (Patty Loveless). Flatt & Alvis are already packing-out venues in the region (even before their first CD is released) and it seems that the duo have a long road ahead of them. - Sony Acid Planet

The Bottom Line Take two guys with some impressive talent, give them a chance to stretch their skills as singers, pickers, and songwriters, give 'em some awesome backup players, and what you end up with is one sharp debut disc. It's easy to believe this is a duo who have been working together for several years, writing up an impressive catalog of original music before even entering college. These two, Stephen Flatt and Shane Alvis, are boys to watch. Kathy Coleman - about.com - about.com

Don’t worry: Flatt & Alvis is not some cross-pollinated parody of Flatt & Scruggs and Elvis Presley. Rather, it’s a young Nashville duo with a spirited debut release — Fields of Fire.
Singer/songwriter Stephen Flatt is the great-nephew of Lester Flatt and naturally, a guitarist. He met singer Shane Alvis in school, and they forged a musical partnership, honed their harmonies, and racked up enough failed romances to amass a repertoire before they entered college. Fields of Fire finds them fronting a standout studio cast consisting of Mike Headrick (pedal steel), Peter Hyrka (fiddle, mandolin), Dave Roe (bass), Guthrie Trapp (guitar, mandolin) and Mike Walters (drums).
The backing bolsters an Americana mix that begins with the rockin’ road song “Rollin’ Down the Highway” and proceeds to country and newgrass hit-the-road songs “Not with Me” and “Sister Pain “ In between, the memories range from the jamband-flavored “Yesterday’s Gone” to ballads, “Fallen Rain” and “Calling of the Crows.”
“Carry On” captures a coal miner faced with the mine’s closing, and affords momentary respite from the heartache and broken dreams that eventually run together like the liner notes’ nearly illegible lyrics. Nonetheless, Flatt & Alvis should carry on and command a devoted following. TW
- Bluegrass Now Magazine

The Nashville duo of Stephen Flatt and Shane Alvis dip into country, folk and bluegrass with equal fervor and quality on Fields of Fire . Whether doing conversational tunes (“Rollin’), introspective pieces (“Yesterdays Gone, “Calling Of The Crows”) or more emotional and intense material (“Where Were You,” “Sister Pain,” “Fallen Rain”) their leads and harmonies are appropriately tough, tender, anguished or sentimental. They’re assisted by a fine band whose members include violinist, mandolin ace and accordionist Peter Hyrka, bassist Dave Rorick, drummer Mike Walter, acoustic/electric guitarist Guthrie Trapp and pedal steel player Mike Headrick. Flatt and Alvis will have you deep in thought one moment, and then engaged and dancing the next in this fine set that merges several styles, while featuring solid originals, polished and proficient vocals and topflight playing.

By Ron Wynn - The Nashville City Paper