On the Euro Americana Chart you'll find that Drew Landry's release, on Blue Rose Records, debuted at No. 14. You'll also find other noteworthy labels such as Nonesuch Records and Sugar Hill Records, there, too.
Right there on the Euro Americana Chart with names like Marty Stuart and Loudon Wainwright III you'll find the name of Scott's own Drew Landry and his 2008 album, Sharecropper's Whine.
Also on that chart you'll find that Landry's release, on Blue Rose Records, debuted at No. 14. You'll also find other noteworthy labels such as Nonesuch Records and Sugar Hill Records, there, too.
So while patience may be a virtue, it can also net you a record deal as it did with Landry's fourth release.
"It's an album that I did all the work for in 2008 and I didn't have the money to put it out," says Landry. "So, you know, I gave a few copies to KBON (radio) and kicked around a little bit, but the copies that did get out did really well."
Landry says the feedback from deejays was pretty good as were the reviews from those who received a copy.
But finances kept it as a limited release. Fortunes changed when Landry's "BP Blues" was used as a charity single by the Warner Brothers label and that in turn had Landry working with Dr. John and other musicians on the "Deepwater Memorial" EP (extended play), as well as the ongoing the "Solution To Pollution" project inspired by the late Bobby Charles.
In addition, when Landry attended the Americana Music Festival in Nashville and met a rep with the U.K.'s Blue Rose Records. The album cover has been changed a little, three bonus tracks added and now Blue Rose is licensed to distribute it in the European market.
When Sharecropper's Whine was released in England last month, Landry held a record release party at Bourque's Social Club in Scott that he owns the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend to commemorate it.
And when the Euro Americana Chart came out for June, Landry's long-time coming project debuted at No. 14.
"So that's pretty good, you know?" he says. "It's having some success there and getting some radio play."
With an ensemble cast of musicians, including Jason Meaux, Sam Broussard, Richard Comeaux, Jonno Frishberg, Andrew Duplantis, as well as friends from bands like Mamou, Ossun Express and Red Stick Ramblers, Landry tailored his songs to the musicians.
"What I did was try to fit the musicians to the song," he says.
For instance, Dennis Paul Williams (Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas), and Michael Juan Nunez played on the rock song.
Landry says while Sharecropper's Whine is categorized as Americana, he calls his latest recording "just music."
"I think Americana is this all-encompassing genre where you can have folk, blues, rock - all these different types of music - and I guess Americana is saying it's American music," he says. "But really, man, [Sharecropper's Whine] is pretty reflective of the music of southwest Louisiana."
Which, you might have to say, is also a healthy slice of Americana. Anyway, here's an explanation of the Euro American Chart from the folks themselves:
The Euro Americana Chart is a joint projection. Monthly compiled by our reporters. Each month is a reflection of their 6 personal favorite records. You might say: "Music has built this chart." Music that crawls under your skin, music that has grounded its roots deep in the mud. Music that constantly keeps changing like a chameleon, but is based upon tradition. This chart represents the various music styles that have been captured under the name "Americana." Brought together by publicists, journalists, promoters, distributors en radiomen throughout the Euro zone. Even though some of them are businesswise involved, this is the place where they let their heart speak. The single idea is to give an impression of what has moved, impressed or pleasured them recently. You might say it's a reflection of what is living in Euro Americana land.
Go here for more information.