SAM HOLT BAND
''SOUTHERN ANGELS''
DECEMBER 2012
40:01
1. Down in Flames/4:14
2. Southern Angels/5:20
3. Jesco/6:27
4. Fix It Up Man/5:27
5. No Surrender/5:04
6. Moral Decline/5:16
7. Cattle Drive/8:19
Sam Holt/Guitar, Vocals
Michael “Spanky” McCluer/Bass, Vocals
Adam Stern/Pedal Steel, Electric Guitar
Andy Clapp/Drums
REVIEW
While Southern Angels is a debut for the Sam Holt Band, Sam Holt is no newcomer to the scene. The guitar tech for the late Mikey Houser of Widespread Panic — who sat in several times with Panic after Houser’s passing — has created a new group following the 2010 parting of ways of his group Outformation. This group, it seems, is collaborative beyond belief and not afraid of highlighting and staying true to Holt’s Panic family roots. The album features appearances by John Bell of Panic, as well as Danny Hutchens of Bloodkin, with whom Holt shares writing credits on “Fix It Up Man.” The track “”Down in Flames” was written by Stoney LaRue and Brandon Jenkins, and “Cattle Drive” is a Toy Caldwell song that appeared on the Marshall Tucker Band album Tenth.
All of the other arrangements are Holt originals and they work to take a solid step forward in Southern rock, where Outformation left off. — BFJ
BIOGRAPHY
"Sam's got that hypnotic thing. He kinda gets into that trance when he plays, and all my
favorite guitar players have that ability to somewhat become hypnotized themselves. Mikey
(Houser) and Junior Kimbrough - there was a hypnotic thing, and I think Sam has that. It's
a big part of what drew me to him. Sam Holt Band is heavy Americana, somewhere
between The Marshall Tucker Band and Black Sabbath,” relates Sam’s former producer
and Widespread Panic keyboardist JoJo Hermann.
“I’ve always wanted the songs to come out the way I hear them in my head, when the
inspiration is the freshest and most pure,” says Sam Holt. “This record captures the songs
the way I envisioned.”
The debut album from Sam Holt Band, Southern Angels, contains Holt’s most honest and
accomplished songs to date. The album features guest appearances from Widespread
Panic’s John Bell and Danny Hutchens of Bloodkin. The emotional honesty in the lyrics
came from experiencing the bittersweet nature of life. “Many events and emotions in the
song ‘Southern Angels’ are from my time with Widespread Panic. Having John Bell on
this tune is an honor, but also makes perfect sense,” he states.
There are themes of finding positivity in the wake of tragedy running through the record.
‘Fix It Up Man’ co-written with Danny Hutchens addresses this subject. “Danny’s lyrics
paint a positive picture of someone who left us too soon. The track is a tribute to someone
we both love and miss very much,” reveals Holt.
Sam is known for his on stage appearances with Widespread Panic and his national
touring band Outformation. Sam Holt Band formed in late 2011 after Holt relocated to
Colorado. “I’m so lucky to have these guys in the band. Everyone is a great player, and
we listen to each other,” says the transplanted Southerner.
The chemistry was palpable the first time they played together. Sam Holt Band quickly
gained a devoted following from their tremendous live show. “Whether it’s a rocker or an
improv jam, seeing the audience react confirms the connection we have goes beyond the
band.”
The band has shared the stage with Shooter Jennings, Keller Williams, 7 Walkers, New
Mastersounds, North Mississippi Allstars, Jason Isbell, and Jerry Joseph.
With a national touring schedule falling into place and a new record, Sam Holt Band is
ready to take their music to the masses. “The journey is the thing, and I’m excited to be
on it with these guys,” Holt declares.
''SOUTHERN ANGELS''
DECEMBER 2012
40:01
1. Down in Flames/4:14
2. Southern Angels/5:20
3. Jesco/6:27
4. Fix It Up Man/5:27
5. No Surrender/5:04
6. Moral Decline/5:16
7. Cattle Drive/8:19
Sam Holt/Guitar, Vocals
Michael “Spanky” McCluer/Bass, Vocals
Adam Stern/Pedal Steel, Electric Guitar
Andy Clapp/Drums
REVIEW
While Southern Angels is a debut for the Sam Holt Band, Sam Holt is no newcomer to the scene. The guitar tech for the late Mikey Houser of Widespread Panic — who sat in several times with Panic after Houser’s passing — has created a new group following the 2010 parting of ways of his group Outformation. This group, it seems, is collaborative beyond belief and not afraid of highlighting and staying true to Holt’s Panic family roots. The album features appearances by John Bell of Panic, as well as Danny Hutchens of Bloodkin, with whom Holt shares writing credits on “Fix It Up Man.” The track “”Down in Flames” was written by Stoney LaRue and Brandon Jenkins, and “Cattle Drive” is a Toy Caldwell song that appeared on the Marshall Tucker Band album Tenth.
All of the other arrangements are Holt originals and they work to take a solid step forward in Southern rock, where Outformation left off. — BFJ
BIOGRAPHY
"Sam's got that hypnotic thing. He kinda gets into that trance when he plays, and all my
favorite guitar players have that ability to somewhat become hypnotized themselves. Mikey
(Houser) and Junior Kimbrough - there was a hypnotic thing, and I think Sam has that. It's
a big part of what drew me to him. Sam Holt Band is heavy Americana, somewhere
between The Marshall Tucker Band and Black Sabbath,” relates Sam’s former producer
and Widespread Panic keyboardist JoJo Hermann.
“I’ve always wanted the songs to come out the way I hear them in my head, when the
inspiration is the freshest and most pure,” says Sam Holt. “This record captures the songs
the way I envisioned.”
The debut album from Sam Holt Band, Southern Angels, contains Holt’s most honest and
accomplished songs to date. The album features guest appearances from Widespread
Panic’s John Bell and Danny Hutchens of Bloodkin. The emotional honesty in the lyrics
came from experiencing the bittersweet nature of life. “Many events and emotions in the
song ‘Southern Angels’ are from my time with Widespread Panic. Having John Bell on
this tune is an honor, but also makes perfect sense,” he states.
There are themes of finding positivity in the wake of tragedy running through the record.
‘Fix It Up Man’ co-written with Danny Hutchens addresses this subject. “Danny’s lyrics
paint a positive picture of someone who left us too soon. The track is a tribute to someone
we both love and miss very much,” reveals Holt.
Sam is known for his on stage appearances with Widespread Panic and his national
touring band Outformation. Sam Holt Band formed in late 2011 after Holt relocated to
Colorado. “I’m so lucky to have these guys in the band. Everyone is a great player, and
we listen to each other,” says the transplanted Southerner.
The chemistry was palpable the first time they played together. Sam Holt Band quickly
gained a devoted following from their tremendous live show. “Whether it’s a rocker or an
improv jam, seeing the audience react confirms the connection we have goes beyond the
band.”
The band has shared the stage with Shooter Jennings, Keller Williams, 7 Walkers, New
Mastersounds, North Mississippi Allstars, Jason Isbell, and Jerry Joseph.
With a national touring schedule falling into place and a new record, Sam Holt Band is
ready to take their music to the masses. “The journey is the thing, and I’m excited to be
on it with these guys,” Holt declares.