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Subtly entrancing. An achingly pure country voice. Tremendous artistry. A passionate performer. Those are just a few ways in which Jon Randall has been described.
He is best known as writer of the hit song "Whiskey Lullaby", co-written with Whisperin' Bill Anderson, and recorded by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, which earned him a Country Music Association (CMA) award for Song of the Year in 2005. In addition to that honor, he also received an Academy of Country Music (ACM) nomination, and Music Row, a Nashville-based industry publication, presented the writers with Song of the Year honors.
Randall has spent the past few years promoting his latest record, "Walking Among the Living", which was produced by George Massenburg and released on Sony/Epic Records in 2005. Those that have heard it are almost reverent in speaking of it, and it has received rave reviews in newspapers across the world. Mario Tarradell of the Dallas Morning News states: "On Living, which hits stores Sept. 20, he writes acoustic-based, bluegrass-tinged country tunes characterized by splendid roots musicianship, melodic vocals and homespun elegance". At the end of 2005, The Tennessean praised the album as one of the best releases of the year; meanwhile, Jack Leaver of The Grand Rapids Press listed it as the top album of the year. Two singles from Randall's Walking Among the Living were released to country radio: the first, "Baby Won't You Come Home", with an accompanying video that aired on CMT and GAC; the second, "I Shouldn't Do This", a cheating song that featured backing vocals from Patty Loveless. The record has received support from both XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.
He has gone on tour with and opened for the likes of Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Nanci Griffith, and Emmylou Harris. Most recently, he has opened for Grammy and CMA award-winning country singer Trisha Yearwood, alongside his fiancé, Jessi Alexander. He has participated in the CMA Music Fest on more than one occasion, and has been a regular in Earl Scruggs' touring band on guitar and vocals.
Randall is no stranger to television appearances, as a former member of Emmylou Harris' Nash Ramblers band; in the past years, he has appeared on several television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and A&E's Breakfast with the Arts. He performed with singer-songwriter Jessi Alexander on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and backed up Trisha Yearwood on The Late Show with David Letterman and Martha. In 2006, he provided backup for actor/singer John Corbett on The View, Martha, The Tony Danza Show, and Emeril Live. In radio land, he taped shows for Sirius Satellite Radio, XM Radio, NPR, the BBC, and country, Americana, and community radio stations.
In 2005, he launched his official website, www.jonrandall.com . The site provides news, tour information, merchandise, videos, photos, a journal, audio clips, and a message board. In embracing new technology and trends, a MySpace page was also setup to promote him.
Lots of good things are happening, but it's also time for us to make things happen. Let's make some noise, share the excitement. Turn all your friends and family on to Jon Randall, and let's keep them informed. There may be other ways to get involved too - watch for future posts.
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P.S.- Anyone have those Merlefest 2002 sets? Anyone? Anyone? Contact lynn jonrandallfans.com
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