Ricochet (CD - 1996)

Ricochet: Heath Wright (vocals, guitar, fiddle); Jr. Bryant (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle); Eddie Kilgallon (vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone, keyboards); Greg Cook (vocals, bass); Jeff Bryant (vocals, drums);

Teddy Carr (steel guitar, dobro, lap steel).

Additional personnel: Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar); Larry Franklin (fiddle); John Hobbs (piano); Mike Brignardello, Joe Chemay (bass); Lonnie Wilson (drums).

Recorded at The Money Pit, The Music Mill and Westwood Sound Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: Heath Wright (vocals, guitar, fiddle); Junior Bryant (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle); Eddie Kilgallon (vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone, keyboards); Jeff Bryant (vocals, snare drum); Gregory Cook (vocals); Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Teddy Carr (steel guitar, lap steel guitar, dobro); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar); Larry Franklin (fiddle); John Hobbs (piano); Lonnie Wilson (snare drum).

Audio Mixer: Ed Seay.

Recording information: The Money Pit And Music Mill; WEstwood Sound Studios.

Photographer: Matthew Barnes.

This is the self-titled debut for Ricochet. It was released under the Sony/Columbia label in 1996. The album went on to be certified gold. Songs like "Daddy's Money," "What Do I Know," and "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" are all listed in the tracks, and all landed in Top Ten spots on the Billboard music chart. The same year the debut was released, Ricochet's music earned it awards such as top new vocal group from the Academy of Country Music, top new country artist from Billboard magazine, group of the year from the Radio & Records reader's poll, and favorite new group or duo by the Country Weekly Golden Pick awards. Ricochet -- the group and the album -- offers contemporary country fans some great harmonies that are showcased on ballads like "What Do I Know." There are also some great up-tempo numbers with plenty of guitar action. Overall, the debut is a pretty impressive contribution. Members of the country group are fiddler and guitarist Junior Bryant, bass guitarist Greg Cook, steel guitarist Shannon Farmer, drummer and harmonica player Keith Mellington, keyboardist Steve Paxton, and lead guitarist Heath Wright. All members serve vocal duties, but Wright is the lead singer. Some of the members also handle songwriting. The country band tours a lot, even doing USO shows for the armed services. ~ Charlotte Dillon minimize