Steve Azar joins Midas Records
Thursday, February 16, 2006 – Former Mercury artist Steve Azar, who had a hit with "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)," is on new label Midas Records, the label announced Thursday.
Azar becomes the third signing for the fledgling label, which recently inked Emerson Drive and newcomer Lindsey Grant.
Azar's first project as a joint venture with his new label will be "Indianola," scheduled for a summer 2006.
Azar, 41, had a number 2 hit in 2001 with "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)." He had a semi-hit with "Waitin' On Joe."
On "Indianola," Azar served as producer and writer/co-writer on all 14 songs. ExxonMobil will sponsor Azar's 2006 tour promoting the new CD.
Azar said in a statement, "I'm really looking forward to this partnership between Midas Records and my new imprint label, Dang Records. Both (Midas executives) Keith Follese and Brad Allen have given me the creative freedom I've always hoped for."
More news for Steve Azar
CD reviews for Steve Azar
Waitin' On Joe
It's been a long time since Steve Azar was heard from - a record at the failed River North label was the last time. But out of the shoot, the Mississippian is doing quite fine with a big hit single, but there is more than one catchy, but quality song on the full length.
Azar, who wrote every song, many with producer Rafe Van Hoy, shines on "Damn the Money." The acoustically-based song , in effect, the guitar player, the bank teller and the story teller to live the way they want without worrying about greenbacks. »»» |
Heartbreak Town
Steve Azar has the looks and voice, but he needs some different material. It's not bad, and the crowd at a live performance would be tapping their toes, but it's not strong enough to carry its weight on radio. The hooks just aren't there, and the riffs don't stick with you. This is definitely new country - more Billy Joel than Billy Anderson. Then you get to "As Long As Harley Gets To Play" with a killer lap steel; too bad he doesn't turn it loose. Imagine a fusion of Jim Croce and a mellow John »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Music City goes (Boston) Pop(s) –
On the face of it, the idea of top shelf country songwriters coming up from Nashville to play with the Boston Pops may seem incongruous. The idea of the venerable Boston institution and fixture on the July 4 scene, playing patriotic songs doesn't have all that much to do with country.
The idea isn't without precedent, of course.... »»»
Concert Review: O'Donovan goes home –
Aiofe O'Donovan had plenty of reason to be filled with good cheer. This was a hometown gig, after all, and only three days before the release of her first full-length solo debut, "Fossils."
Joking that the audience was filled with people she knew from high school and her parents' friends, O'Donovan made it clear that Boston... »»»
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