Comin' to Your City (CD - 2005)

Personnel: John Rich (acoustic guitar); Paul Worley, Adam Schoenfeld (electric guitar); Mike Johnson (steel guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (dobro, banjo, harp, mandolin, fiddle, cello, strings); Connie Ellisor, Karen Winkelmann, Carolyn Bailey, Zeneba Bowers, Gerald Greer, Denise Baker, Erin Hall, Chris Teal, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Alan Umstead, David Angell, Catherine Umstead, Cate Myer, Janet Askey (violin); Kathryn Plummer, Kris Wilkinson, Monisa Angell, Gary VanOsdale (viola); Felix Wang, John Catchings, Sarighani Reist (cello); Maxwell Abrams (saxophone); Mike Rojas (piano, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards, synthesizer); Howard Laravea (piano, synthesizer); Dennis Burnside (keyboards, synthesizer); Wayne Killius, Brian Barnett (drums); Samuel Bacco, Eric Darken, Ron Sorbo (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Clarke Schleicher.

Recording information: Blackbird Studios, Nashville, TN; Ocean Way Nashville; SONY-ATV Studio; Starstruck Studio.

Photographer: Kristin Barlowe.

Unknown Contributor Role: Nashville String Machine.

Arrangers: Paul Worley; Gretchen Wilson.

After the runaway success of Big & Rich's 2004 debut, HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR, the quirky Nashville duo was in serious demand, both producing and appearing on albums by numerous artists. Despite their busy itineraries, Big & Rich's second full-length, COMIN' TO YOUR CITY, doesn't disappoint, offering up more of their wild and wooly rock-tinged country antics.

A sonic fusion of Brooks & Dunn and Barenaked Ladies, John Rich and Big Kenny wear their whimsy like well-fitted cowboy hats, as is apparent on "The Freak Parade," the record's outrageous opener, and the following title track, which is sort of a 21st-century riff on Hank Snow's "I've Been Everywhere." Boasting great vocal harmonies, energetic production, and clever nods to various musical styles, COMIN' TO YOUR CITY is a worthy successor to HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR, and is sure to please the faithful while winning over even more Big & Rich converts. minimize