Outside The Lines

Here's the low down on Nancy Apple From her original material to her live performances, NANCY APPLE inexplicably reminds her audiences how special it is to be in the presence of such individuality. From classic country tunes to memorable ballads and honey-flavored cheatin' songs, Nancy rocks-and-rolls with a twist that is twangled up in the blues. It's genuine y'alterna-honk that is outside the lines and far from ordinary. Her journey to the present has been as eclectic as she is. Born and raised a Navy brat, Nancy Apple's immense talent became clear at a very early age, she went from crawling to dancing to Fats Domino. She plays drums, guitar and dabbles in the accordion, and has played in several notable Memphis bands and even did a road stint with blues man Willie Cobb's on drums. Her own band was selected as one of the top three regional bands years ago in the Memphis Flyer Stand By Your Band Contest. She's played at Todd Snider's What the Folk Fest, and now hosts a Memphis Songwriters Stage each month, in addition to a weekly Pickin' Party (when she is in town) that gives newcomers a place to perform and chance to play with seasoned pickers. She is also a top draw for area festivals. Her songwriter nights have become so popular that she was invited to host and evening in the round at the Bartlett Performing Arts Center for their 2001 season finale. Nancy and her group got a gig in a feature film that was released May 1999 on CINEMAX. Finding Graceland stars Harvey Keitel and Bridget Fonda - look for Nancy and her band backing up both stars in the movie's show stopping Elvis Impersonator contest scenes. Much of Nancy's latest release was recorded fast and live, going for feel and fun. Nancy spent two days in October of 1999 laying down basic tracks at Sounds Unreel in Memphis with friends Reba Russell and Dawn Hopkins of Blue-Eyed Bitches Productions co-producing with her. Going for spontaneity, some of the songs were so new that the band (nor co-producers) had not even heard them. They slammed through 8 songs in 2 days. Nancy then took her canvas to friend and neighbor Keith Sykes to finish everything at his studio, The Woodshed, conveniently right next door to her home. Nancy's band (Jay Harrington/guitar, Roy Brewer/guitar, fiddle, mandolin, Ronnie Vandiver/bass, guitar and Jason Hatcher/drums) outdid themselves. They had fun, and you can hear it in the songs. Reba Russell (Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison) added background vocals and Keith Sykes (John Prine/Todd Snider, Jimmy Buffett) even lent his talents on a couple tunes on guitar and baritone guitar. There is also a guest appearance from George Bradfute (Paul Burch) on the title track, and Nancy's old drummer, Robert Hall took time off from playing with Jerry Lee Lewis to join in on a couple songs for old times sake. All but three songs were written or co-written by Nancy, and she is proud of her friends who co-wrote with her on this album. They did not set out to 'Write for the next record,' but just hang out and write from the heart, and Nancy picked her favorites. Co-writers include Duane Jarvis (Lucinda Williams, Greg Trooper), Carla Taylor (Curb Records), Joe McLeary (Nervous Wrecks), James Eddie Campbell (aka Lamar Sorrento), Joe Sanders (Memphis Sheiks). She even managed to work in writing with her long time friend Deb Smith... and even has a tune she wrote with her ex. Prominent DJs and critics (as well as several seedy weasel types) have commented that Apple could be just a record away from making a huge impact on the Americana/roots scene. Who really knows, but she doing something that is fresh and entertaining. Take note of Nancy Apple. She is the real deal, she plays your heart strings and leaves you feeling energized, encouraged, refreshed. And she still likes to dance to Fats Domino. More About Nancy Apple Films Finding Graceland - starring Harvey Keitel and Bridget Fonda / Cinemax 1999 Played band leader/guitar player that backed up both Bridget and Harvey in several scenes Great Balls of Fire - starring Dennis Quaid - Played several characters as loca