Well folks, it's taken a while to get it all together, but my new CD, THE MAN THAT I CAN'T BE is slated for release on July 21. That is actually the web and retail distribution date, I will have the CD available at shows starting with our June 20 date at the Purple Onion in Saluda NC.

I am really happy with the album, and hope that you will agree it's been worth the wait.

I had the opportunity to work with some really great folks this time around: Mark Lynch (Lou Ford, David Childers) produced the CD, and we recorded with engineer Chris Garges at Old House Studio between Gastonia and my hometown, Clover SC. Mark and Chris helped me connect with some great local players whom I had not worked with before, and it was a privilege to work with them on this project: two great horn players Jon Thornton (trumpet) and John Alexander (saxes), David Kim (drums), Jason Atkins (keyboards), Bob Barone (steel guitar), and it was really a thrill to work with one of the top vocalists in our region, Beth Chorneau, on vocals. You will also notice the voice of my esteemed friend David Childers on a couple of cuts, and that's Randy Saxon that you will hear on banjo.

Also, my old Rank compadres Ray Mitchell (drums, vocals) and Tom Khun (bass), were on board as well, and I love it that we are all still working together over what is adding up to be many years now.

The CD release will also mark the debut of my new live band, the Fallen Gentlemen, which features producer Mark Lynch on bass, David Kim on drums, and Chris Peace on guitar and vocals. We are playing a few gigs around the region in June before the CD release show at Snug Harbor in Charlotte on July 11. David Childers and his new band, the Overmountain Men, open the show, and we'll also have Beth Chorneau and the horn section from the CD on board that night as well.

So, I am happy to finally have this one out the door, and am looking forward to the upcoming shows...hope to see you out there...meanwhile, drop us line anytime. Thanks - BN