|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 In memory of Tom Wilkes, 1939-2009, photographer/designer of The Smith Sisters albums, "Bluebird" and "Roadrunner." For many years Tom was Art Director at A&M Records, and has designed album covers such as Rolling Stones' "Flowers" and "Beggars Banquet;" Neil Young's "Harvest;" and George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh" and "All Things Must Pass." He received a Grammy Award in 1974 for Best Recording Package for The Who's rock opera "Tommy." Personally, he was a warm, caring man, with a great sense of humor and adventure. We will miss him dearly.
 Is that Debi's Bodhran-playing (Irish drum) you hear on Ken Burn's new
PBS series, "The National Parks?" Yes! The cut, which also features
Al Petteway on guitar, is one of the main theme songs in the series,
and is called, "Sligo Creek." Debi and Al have performed together, and
Al is a featured guitarist on Debi's albums, "More Than Once", "In My
Dreams," and on the Smith Sister's "Canary's Song."  He is also featured on my CD "The Soprano."
- The Babes' new CD, DIVA NATION, is here! With their wildly funny,
entertaining originality and stellar harmonies, the Four Bitchin'
Babes' take you on a royally hilarious journey to a land where
chocolate is a vegetable, wine is in the food pyramid, and shopping for
shoes medicinal. Welcome to DIVA NATION, where all songs are sung with
pride, attitude and terrific accessories! To order, go to: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/fourbitchin8
- Debi's song, "Italy and France", is being used by the Department of Educational Psychology at The University of Michigan and Rutger's University as music on course websites and instructional CD's. It is also currently being considered by a professor emeritus of special education at University of Virginia for use on his special ed text website, which is widely read and used for national training.
- The Smith Sisters are writing a cookbook together! (Pictured here at writer's convention in San Diego in January 2007.) A couple publishers have indicated an interest. Stay tuned!
 - I am on a new compilation put together by Christine Lavin called "One Meat Ball," which includes songs on the topic of food, and includes a cook book!
- My song on it is "Pie" which also features Doc Watson (This song is also on my "Cupid" CD). My recipe is Custard Pie. To read about "One Meat Ball" and order it, go to:
www.appleseedrec.com. and click on "One Meat Ball"!
- Wayne Newton makes an appearance at the Birchmere, a 500 seat club where the Babes play. Now this I had to see! AND afterwards, not only did someone snap this pic of me with him but he gave me a kiss... ON THE LIPS! Take that, Ann Margaret!
 - The Smith Sisters had a chance to catch up with the Shaw Brothers in April.
The Shaws were on their way to perform on a European cruise, and The Smith's
lured them out for some Chinese food en route. There was much reminiscing
and tale telling (Rick had a bear story that I will have to share on stage
soon!).
- The Four Bitchin' Babes are currently recording a new album to be released spring '06! The current lineup of Babes is Debi with Sally Fingerett, Deirdre Flint and Nancy Moran. The album will be called "Hormonal Imbalance", which is the title of their new show on tour. Debi's cuts on the recording are "Pass it On", "Walk the Walk", and "Just Ask Your Doctor".
- The group Debi tours with, The Four Bitchin' Babes, is putting together a new show called 'Hormonal Imbalance', which will be begin touring in September 2005. For more info, go to www.fourbitchinbabes.com.
- Tom Paxton's album, "Looking For The Moon," contains the song "Marry Me Again;" which Debi co-wrote with him, is nominated for a Grammy for Contemporary Folk Recordings!
- Lyrics to Debi's new song, "Pass it On" which many audience members have requested (thanks!)
- The Four Bitchin’ Babes have released their latest CD, Some Assembly Required, on the Shanachie label. Debi's tracks are: "Bob Dylan's Poetry," "I Don't Think I'm Gonna Like It" (both of which have been included in her solo concert setlists in recent months) and the beautiful ballad "He Believed In Me." The title of the CD refers to the unique process the group employed to produce the project. Each Babe independently produced three tracks for the recording in her own favorite studio. Next, the group met in Nashville to lay down the Babes' signature harmonies. The project then moved to Washington D.C. where final mixing and mastering was done. The end result is a collection of songs that reflects each member's artistic personality, while retaining the ensemble's collective voice. For more info: http://www.fourbitchinbabes.com/boutique.htm
- Debi appears in a new book which has just been published by Random House, called "Life's a Stitch," described by Amazon.com as "an anthology with a twist: humorous short stories, poetry, songs, and cartoons--all from the pens of women, and all donated to benefit charities. It will entertain readers, sustain them, and provide hours of reading pleasure." The book is edited by Anne Safran Dalin, and you can read more about it right here
- Tom Paxton records Debi & Tom's, "Marry Me Again." More info at: http://www.tompaxton.com/discography.html
|
|
|
|
