Ringo Starr’s listening to Billy Burnette’s Current CD, Memphis in Manhattan –

Are YOU with Him Baby?

Nashville, TN ~ Sept. 22, 2006)  Billy Burnette’s current ‘live' CD Memphis in Manhattan, is gaining momentum in the U.S. and Europe and it’s no surprise why – it’s rocking, authentic, gritty, real, and recorded without overdubs, pitch-corrector and the more modern tools used to ‘mask’ real music.  The follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Are You With Me, Baby? is attracting the attention of famed musicians and music lovers alike. And, Ringo Starr is just one of the many Billy Burnette fans who get it. 

Ringo Starr has a current update on his site (dated 10-08-06), where he offers up comments on the many CDs he’s listening to.  One of Ringo’s favorite picks is none other than Memphis in Manhattan:

“…thank you Billy Burnette.  Barbara Orbison’s sent me (Memphis in Manhattan) because she knows I like country and country rock and it’s really great.  And, what is great is that he did it “live” like at Sun Records, where we used to do this stuff and I had a sign in the studio that says ‘we don’t make demos and we don’t make mistakes because we’re making (music), so that’s what it is.”

"I love the way Billy sings, he's great at coming up with perfect rhythm parts." - Rick Vito, guitarist, Fleetwood Mac

"Burnette now fits more comfortably into the country music scene than he ever has, and with out sacrificing his soul to do it." - Brian Mansfield, freelance journalist, USA Today

"Billy is an ardent team player who gets his inspiration from the song. He has actually rekindled the electric spirit of music." - Pete Brown, Guitar Magazine.

"The immaculately groomed Billy Burnette, has an incredible solo catalog, and has generated much well crafted country, R&B and rock material." - Timothy White, Billboard Magazine

Ed Salamon/Country Radio Broadcasters

“The songs on "Memphis in Manhattan" were written to be played live, loud and raw; and that's just how Billy Burnette serves them up on his latest CD. If you have not been fortunate to see Billy's live show lately, this will make
you want to go.”

BILLY BURNETTE BRINGS MEMPHIS ROCKABILLY TO MANHATTAN
 WITH NEW CHESKY RELEASE

(February 28, 2006) Chesky Records is proud to announce the release of acclaimed artist/musician Billy Burnette’s first “live” album, Memphis in Manhattan. On Memphis in Manhattan, Burnette pays tribute to his songwriting forbearers: his father, Dorsey Burnette and uncle, Johnny Burnette - both rockabilly legends (of ‘Rock and Roll Trio’ fame). The former member of Fleetwood Mac gives the Memphis treatment to songs penned by Burnette and Bob Dylan as well.  Memphis in Manhattan was recorded of all places at an altar in St. Peter’s church in Chelsea, NY.

Burnette is probably best known for his association with Fleetwood Mac. He recorded four albums with the band, including Greatest Hits, Behind the Mask, The Chain and Time, and spent eight years on the road with them from 1988 to 1996. He actually started at the tender age of 13 on a USO tour with Brenda Lee.  Billy Burnette’s current successes as a songwriter and guitarist have proven him worthy of bearing the family name. Burnette’s songwriting accolades include penning tunes for; Jerry Lee Lewis, Fleetwood Mac, Ringo Starr, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, Tammy Wynette, Christine McVie, Faith Hill, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles to name a few. Burnette co-wrote most of the songs on Memphis in Manhattan: five of which were co-written with Nashville songwriter/guitarist Shawn Camp.

Memphis in Manhattan also contains some well-known covers including Bob Dylan’s “Everything is Broken” (Oh Mercy, 1989) and “Big Hunk of Love” recorded, most notably, by Elvis Presley (1959) and Paul McCartney (1969). Burnette covers “Oh Well” by original Fleetwood Mac leader Peter Alan Green. Burnette gives his father’s song “It’s Late” (made famous by Ricky Nelson), a warmly reverent treatment. Another Dorsey Burnette tune appears on the album: “Tear It Up”, co-penned by Johnny and Paul Burlison, and was recorded by Rod Stewart in 1981 for his smash hit album Tonight I’m Yours. Memphis in Manhattan closes with the treasured Everly Brothers’ hit “Bye Bye Love.”

Nashville guitarist Kenny Vaughn, drummer George Ricelli and bassist David Roe make up the smokin’ backing band for the project, which was completed in just 48 hours during an old-fashioned New York summer heat wave. “The album is basically what I do live,” says Burnette, “and it was a fun record to make!”

More recently, Burnette toured with Bob Dylan in Australia.  Memphis in Manhattan is Billy Burnette’s 11th album.

JOHN FOGERTY'S FALL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

John Fogerty will perform on December 1 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Tickets go on sale October 6 at 11:00 a.m. He will perform on December 2 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut; tickets go on sale October 14 at 10:00 a.m.

"THE LONG ROAD HOME LIVE" TO BE RELEASED

John Fogerty's new live CD set, "The Long Road Home Live", will be released on October 31. Look for it!