Somewhere Under The Rainbow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


JOE STAMPLEY'S BACK ON RADAR!

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CD:                         "SOMEWHERE UNDER THE RAINBOW"
RELEASE DATE:     OCTOBER 2nd
LABEL:                   CRITTER RECORDS/NAVARRE
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(Nashville)   --   With the release of JOE STAMPLEY's new Critter Records CD,
"Somewhere Under The Rainbow," comes the return of one of country music's
most distinctive signature voice -- and one of the industry's most innovative
'music men.'

The single of the same name has brought Joe back to the airwaves and back to
one of the 'positives' in the face of the current state of the industry --
the re-emergence of Joe Stampley to the legions of fans that have loved his
music.

"Man, I am on fire over this project," Joe commented from the Critter offices
in Nashville.  "It's self produced and I really got to go into the studio
with the players, the music and the feel I wanted for my music -- it was an
awesome feeling -- and I think it comes through on the grooves."

With a unique career that has roots in pop/rock, R&B, and country, Joe's new
CD cross sections all influences into a project that is uniquely "Stampley."

From the title track making noise at radio for it's "real slice of life"
lyrics, to classics like "Boney Maronie," and "If You Don't Know Me By Now,"
to a highlight track that features a duet with Stampley's son, Tony, (whose
own career is following the family tradition) the Joe Stampley creative
imprint is as distinct as his fingerprints.

Joe Stampley is by any standard one "good ol' boy" who has taken his music
seriously -- and the proof is back home in Nashville -- covering his walls.  
Among his trophies:  Sixty charted records -- which ranks him 30th in Radio &
Records "Twenty Years Of Excellence" magazine.  His teaming with buddy Moe
Bandy, shone a different light on Joe's career as the duo garnered several
wins in the "Vocal Duo Of The Year" category.

With "SOMEWHERE UNDER THE RAINBOW" hitting at radio and retail, Joe Stampley is
a 'legend with a cause these days -- that cause:  to bring his brand of
country music back to the mainstream.  Obviously, a lot of fans couldn't be
happier.

For further information:
Jackie Monaghan
615-777-6995


Joe Stampley:
Somewhere Under
The Rainbow
Album Review


Some voices simply never go out of style.  Joe Stampley's ruggedly soulful baritone is one of those voices.  Since his start back in the 1960's, when he was the lead singer for the pop/rock group The Uniques, he's been in and out of the charts, he's collected numerous awards for his efforts, and he has also helped others, like new independent artist Billy Hoffman, in their own climb to the top.

One influential mentor in Stampley's background was country legend Hank Williams, Sr.  During a chance meeting, Williams gave the young fan a piece of advice that would be remembered as the aspiring artist rose to his own legendary status.  "Be yourself, sing like yourself," Hank had told him.  And that is exactly what Joe's entire career has been about — being himself.

With the Unique hits, such as "I'm Still Loving You", "Roll On Big Mama", "If You've Got Ten Minutes (Let's Fall In Love)", and the ever-popular "All These Things" to name only a few, behind him, Stampley later teamed up with label mate, Moe Bandy, and formed the notable duo sound of Moe and Joe in the 1980's.  Some of their memorable cuts include "Just Good Ol' Boys", "Hey Joe, Hey Moe", and the Boy George-inspired "Where's The Dress".

His latest contribution to the music arena is the soon-to-be-released Somewhere Under The Rainbow, an 11-song collection produced by Stampley for Critter Records.  Radio has already felt the hard punch of the album's title cut, which revels in the simplicity of living on love rather than on a "yellow brick road", and the rest of the ensemble proves to be just as powerful.

Listeners will enjoy covers of such classics as "If You Don't Know Me By Now", the seriously country rockin' "Boney Maronie", and the re-recording of "All These Things".  A couple of standout tracks are two separate duets.  One is the soft tones of "You're What Love's All About", performed with singer Rocki Rachal, and the driving rhythm of "If It Ain't One Thing (It's Another)" with son, Tony Stampley, who also co-wrote several of the album's brand new songs — the aptly titled groove of "Brand New Song" being among those numbers.

Joe's skill with a pen gives a good idea where his son received his ability to write a tune.  "How Lucky Can One Man Be", a sentimental appreciation of love in one's life, was written solely by dad, with three others having been honored by his presence as co-writer.  The upbeat "Knock Down Drag Out" is one of the three and goes well with the party rage that seems to strut hand-in-hand with the distinctive variation found in Stampley's music.

Of the album, Joe has said, "Man, I am on fire over this project.  It's self-produced, and I really got to go into the studio with the players, music, and feel I wanted for my music.  It was an awesome feeling, and I think it comes through on the grooves."

Not only does it come through, it's heard loud and clear by a voice that will never go out of style.  His talent, his experience, all that spells "Joe Stampley", is what keeps the fans going back for more.  And more is just what they'll get with this upcoming new album.  Look for Somewhere Under The Rainbow to hit store shelves next month on October 2nd.   

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