Gilbert releasing first solo CD
Kerry Gilbert, leader of the Kerry Gilbert Band (KGB), is celebrating the May 1 release of his first solo album, The Song Remembers When, a 13-song collection that emphasizes the lyrics and his vocals.
“The Song Remembers When is a stripped-down, laidback, easy listening album that reflects back. I want the listener to feel my voice,” said Gilbert, who has been performing in northwest Alabama since 1985.
The CD includes three original songs. One was written by Muscle Shoals hit songwriter Billy Lawson (“Her”); another by guitarist and instrument maker Hugh Banks (“Because You Love Me”), of Lauderdale County.
Russellville songwriter/recording artist Eddie Martin produced the album on Gilbert at Brian and Luke Waldon’s B&L Studio. Martin and Gilbert, both University of North Alabama graduates, mixed the project at fellow alumnus Daniel Beard’s studio in Harvest.
The title cut was written by Nashville songwriter Hugh Prestwood and originally recorded by Trisha Yearwood. Prestwood also penned Gilbert’s version of “Ghost In This House,” which was originally recorded by Muscle Shoals band Shenandoah. Gilbert includes covers of Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”
Other songs are Paul Davis’ “I Go Crazy,” Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again,” Conway Twitty’s “Crazy In Love,” Ray Price’s “For The Good Times” and Dan Seals’ “One Friend.”
He caps off the album with “Amanda” which was recorded earlier by Don Williams and Waylon Jennings.
Gilbert, a bass singer, formed Mountain Breeze with former Russellville High School classmates at Northwest Alabama State Junior College in Phil Campbell in 1985. The following year the group released In Dixie. The group competed on The Nashville Network’s You Can Be A Star. The group dissolved in 1991.
The singer formed KGB in 1992. The band expects to issue a CD of all original tunes later in the year.
Gilbert invites the public to a CD release party for The Song Remembers When at the Roxy Theatre in Russellville from 6 – 8 p.m., Saturday, May 1.
