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Press
New, Long-Awaited Nug Jug CD Elicits
Squeals of Delight, Glee Among Jug Faithful
“Those Singing Americans” debuts April 1, 2006; CD Release Party At Barley’s in the Old City
February 1, 2006—Knoxville, Tenn [for immediate release] Nug Jug, Knoxville’s favorite Americana rock band, is back with a brand new album--Those Singing Americans—which is scheduled to premiere on April 1, 2006, at Barley’s in Knoxville’s Old City. Americans, the follow-up to the 2003 local best seller The Jug Giveth More Than You Deserve, captures the signature Nug Jug sound in this high energy, guitar-driven rock-n-roll original.
The band, always exploring each nook of their Southern heritage for inspiration, puts their song-writing talents into overdrive to deliver their flavorful, tongue-in-cheek perspective on life in America. On the sophomore CD, Nug Jug presents fourteen original songs, including the inverted love song "Never" written by Steve Smith (guitar/vocals), the Appalachian-rooted "Carolina Rope” penned by Chuck Watt (guitar/vocals), and the no-holds-barred rocker "Escape Pod” that details the trials and tribulations of Southern love. In addition, a bluegrass-style cover of Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf” and a well-harmonized homage to “Political Science” by Randy Newman round out the mix of new tunes.
As band members Chuck Watt, Steve Smith, Tom Pryor (guitar/pedal steel guitar/vocals), Bill Ardison (bass) and Jason Ratliff (drums) continue to create their recordings in a reflection of their spirited personal lives, Nug Jug offers a glimpse of what life is like as a Jug Brother with the earnest and reflective "Anything Blues," the how-to-get-by number "How Do You Do" and the soon to be classic vignette, "The Arrival of Herrick Finkelstein, Nug Jug Publicist."
Blending Appalachian roots, a country swagger and raw Americana power, Nug Jug has honed its unique southern style into a well-oiled, live-entertainment machine. Boasting regular shows across the southeast and local and regional television appearances, The Jug (as fans call them) have a wide appeal with music lovers by bridging several traditional musical genres. With over fifty originals and dozens of covers from which to chose, Nug Jug has successfully wowed audiences ranging dramatically in age, socioeconomic status, and political affiliation.
Nug Jug formed in 2000 when guitarists Chuck Watt and Steve Smith returned home from South Carolina and drafted Knoxville drumming legend, Jason Ratliff into their new project, tentatively named “The Next.” Ratliff enlisted the help of friends from two former bands in the form of pedal steel and guitar wizard Tom Pryor, and bassist Bill Ardison. Over the next few years, the quintet would build on their southern foundations, developing the influences brought in by Pryor’s bluegrass background, the flexibility of a well-rehearsed rhythm section, and the song writing prowess of Smith and Watt.
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Contact: Amy Gibson, Manager, at 865-216-3618 or amygibson76@yahoo.com
- Nug Jug publicist
Discography
"The Jug Giveth More Than You Deserve...", featuring local radio hits 'Tie Another One On', 'I Don't Mind', and 'Jasper', was released in 2003. This album was a local best seller and a favorite on cdbaby.com (tracks are available there for downloading). Nug Jug is days away from releasing the follow up album "Those Singing Americans".
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Nug Jug formed in 2000 when guitarists Chuck Watt and Steve Smith returned home from South Carolina and drafted Knoxville drumming legend, Jason Ratliff into their new project, tentatively named “The Next.” Ratliff enlisted the help of friends from two former bands in the form of pedal steel and guitar wizard Tom Pryor, and bassist Bill Ardison. Over the next three years, the quintet would build on their southern foundations, developing the influences brought in by Pryor’s bluegrass background, the flexibility of a well rehearsed rhythm section, and the song writing prowess of Smith and Watt.
Blending Appalachian roots, a country swagger, and raw Americana power, Nug Jug has honed its unique southern style into a well oiled, live entertainment machine. Boasting regular shows across the southeast, television appearances and providing tunes for Turner South's hit show 'Yokel', The Jug (as fans call them) has a wide appeal with music lovers bridging several traditional musical genres. With over fifty originals and dozens of covers from which to chose, Nug Jug has successfully wowed audiences ranging dramatically in age, socioeconomic status, and political affiliation.
Band members Chuck Watt, Steve Smith, Tom Pryor, Bill Ardison and Jason Ratliff create their recordings in reflection of the spirit and essence of their personal lives.
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