Radio Kudos

I can't believe how long since I last posted. Just not enough hours in a day.

Well, as you may or may not know the CD "Playin' with Fire" was released Jan. 30th at our Cabin Fever Musicfest with us and Nick Moss. The show was a rousing success with approximately 500 people showing up to party and support the bands.

We sold so well in that initial push that the CD made the local soundscan charts for the mid-michigan area. There we were at #10 right on the same chart with Bruce Sprindsteen, Taylor Swift and Pink! I laughed hard at that. Ok, so it only means that in Genesee county we sold as well as the majors so I'm not buying a tux for the Grammy's or anything but it did show that we have the right idea and the public will get fired up about what we do.

So after that we began the long arduous job of radio promotion. Laurie & I have spent almost 2 years researching and compiling data on radio stations all over the world to figure out how the big guys get "air" for their artists. Most radio promoters who can do a national campaign are very expensive. 2500 to as much as 20,000 to do major commercial rock stations so we knew as an indie label it was pretty much up to us to figure it out and pull it off.

We got our list to 278 blues friendly stations around the world. We had to research each station through websites, online directories and of course emailing and phone calling the stations to ask questions.
Then the mail out. 278 CDs with product sheets describing us and our music and cover letters to each Music Director and Show host. You can imagine how much that cost...ugh.

Then 278 emails and phone calls asking if they got it and, "what do you think", "will you play it?", "can you send me a playlist when it airs?"

Then the knuckle biting and worry as we waited for the first radio chart we had targeted to come out and......POW! We debuted on Roots Music Reports national blues radio chart at #34!

We were elated. Sure, it's not #1 but we're just starting this campaign and we broke into the top 50 blues CDs being spun in the country. We're on the same chart with Shemekia Copeland who was recently on David Letterman and Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks etc. so we are elated at the chance to be in such good company.
There are other charts to make yet and hopefully wer can move up a bit as the weeks progress. We'll see.

But the biggest pleasure is all the people from around the country and all over the world who are hearing our stuff and coming to our website to sign up for the mailing list or drop us a message.

One of the coolest messages came from a radio DJ in Spokane, WA. He wrote us to say...

"Please let me set the scene: I went in to KPBX studios here in Spokane WA to pre-record my weekly show, "Down Home Blues", and, just like every week, there were 4 or 5 CD's in my mailbox for airplay consideration.
I looked at this one with great artwork, and saw that it was a cd by the Rusty Wright Band.
Now I have been doing radio for many years, and hear a lot of cd's by artists I haven't heard of before, and truthfully, A LOT OF THEM SUCK! Well, I put on the RWB cd and was immediately blown away! What a great sounding band-I knew right away that this band was going to be one of my new "push" bands. I like to turn people on to great music that doesn't get played regularly in our area, and I plan to play the hell out of this band on my show!
On the website I watched the live videos, and I am truly impressed! Hopefully someday the band will make it up here to the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area. I will be playing music from the CD "Playin' With Fire" on my show for some time to come!"

Now that's the reason to make music. If you can put a fire in a complete strangers heart then you know it's what you're meant to do. All the other stuff is nice but the fire is the real reason to do it. That fire is passion, love, joy... and if you can spread it to others it's the best feeling in the world.

Wish us luck and help us spread the love by contacting your favorite radio station and saying "HEY" play some fire from the Rusty Wright Band!

See ya soon,
Rusty

Blue Monday Monthly review of "Playin' with Fire"

The Rusty Wright Band'Playin' With Fire'This is simply scorchin' southern rockin' blues from the heart of the rust belt, Flint Michigan. Folks, this CD can be very useful as a test to see if there is any life left in yer bones. If it don't get you up and dancing; call the morgue 'cause you MUST be dead! It is a rockin' tour d'force from beginning to end.

World Upside Down features a great duet between Rusty and Laurie.

Pretty Little Lies features stellar blend of sax/ piano/ guitar for real good time.

Lost Souls is as powerful as a steamroller.

Messin 'Round Laurie's beautiful vocals weaves this cautionary tale around your heart; Rusty's guitar tightens that ribbon.

Make A Liar Out of Me A beautiful ballad that captures your soul with sweet melody and haunting lyrics.

Last Days of Whitey Malone A Molly Hatchet-esque start on steroids with full, rich and textured ambiance with dead on stops and flourishes that drive this heavy bottom smoker.

You Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout Me A Born on the Bad side beat with slice and dice B-3 and dizzying change ups.

A Change In The Weather Infectious southern tinged Lynyrd Skynyrd-ish romp that will inspire you to get up and dance.

What A Ride WOW it ended way to quickly, I was into it!

Playin' With Fire I was leaning into this one and it will hold you up! Powerful runner!

The band consists of Rusty Wright (lead guitar/vocals); Laurie Wright (guitar/vocals); Dave Brahce (keyboards); Andy Barancik ( bass); Pete Haist (drums ); and Eddie Lester ( Sax).

As I listen closely it has elements that remind me of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet,Pat Travers and The Allman Bros., only with much more texture and depth to the melodies. Rusty's guitar work is impeccable demonstrating a style that is honed by years and years of 'playin' his dues' while still embodying the exuberance and playfulness of a fearless youngster. Rusty's voice is as smooth as molten molasses as he weaves his way thru the heartfelt stories of life on this offering. Laurie's vocals are angel sweet and dead on. They complement each other in beautiful harmonic perfection. But it ain't just about the front side of this band. The boys 'in the back' are tighter than a tutu on a sumo. The hooks and embellishments they thread throughout this project will cause yer jaw to drop and spread a ten inch smile 'cross yer eight inch face. I didn't realize I was leanin' into it until I pitched forward after the last note. For you Bluesers that are closet Rockers, this is one CD that will SATISFY!I guar-on-tee! You can pick this up directly from Rusty and Laurie at rustywrightband.com

~ Review by 'Blueshammer' of Blue Monday Monthly