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Shelly P. Waters returns home to release new CD during March 14 Legion concert

Rayne’s own Shelly Waters will return home on Saturday, March 14, when she will release her latest CD, “Drive” in front of a home-town crowd at the American Legion Home in Rayne.

“I’ve always wanted to come home and perform for all those people who have supported me from the beginning,” Shelly says of her upcoming show in Rayne. “I’ve gotten several requests from old friends and family to have a home-town show and it’s finally going to happen. I’m looking forward to the show and sure everyone will have fun, including me.”

Shelly’s musical journey started early in her hometown of Rayne. From those early days of playing with a Cajun French music band (J.B. David and The Muleskinners), then fronting her own band (Shelly Pellerin & Southern Spice) to her Southeast coastal lifestyle today (Shelly and her husband actually live on a sailboat!), there’s a lot of life in the songs Waters writes and sings. When asked to name influences she runs down a list of names drawn from country, rock and Americana, but then she gets a little antsy. “I never wanted someone to hear me in concert and say ‘wow, you sound just like so-and-so,’ she says. “I’m Shelly, that’s who I am.”

From intimate coffee shops to festival crowds of +10,000, Shelly has become a polished entertainer. She has performed in the same line up as Kitty Wells, Mel Tillis, John Anderson, Mickey Gilley and JoEl Sonnier (another Rayne native).  Most recently, Shelly has shared a stage with Loretta Lynn, Randall Bramblett, Hooray for the Riff Raff, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Kim Simmonds, Savoy Brown, Jim Kweskin, Geoff Muldaur, John Primer, Drink Small, Beverly Guitar Watkins, Billy Boy Arnold and Robert Lighthouse. Shelly is an active member of the Americana Music Association and Nashville Songwriters Association International.

In bringing her musical vision to life, Shelly has been assisted by a kaleidoscope of talented sidemen, from Grammy-nominated Joe Taylor (who lends his formidable guitar skills), to wellknown session pros Blair Shotts (Rihanna, The Roots) on drums, and Sean O’Bryan Smith (Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum) on bass and Randall Bramblett (Widespread Panic, Bonnie Raitt) on Hammond B3 and Rhodes piano. Perhaps as a testament to Shelly’s writing, singing and musicianship, the respected trio of Joe, Sean and Blair are leaving the cozy confines of their usual studio habitats to hit the road with Shelly.

Shelly has truly revitalized her musical career and is thrilled to be coming home to Rayne for this special event. Experience their energetic show on Saturday, March 14, at the American Legion Home in Rayne…it’s going to be a great time!

Shelly’s new “Drive” CD, along with other cool merchandise will be available for purchase, in addition to refreshments and beverages as provided by members of the American Legion. NO outside concessions permitted. Admission is $10 per person (minimun 18 years of age). Show time is 8 p.m. until midnight. (Acadia Parish Today)

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Exclusive Video Premier / GUITAR WORLD

We’re excited to share Shelly Waters’ new video for “Drive,” the title track from her new release out now on Moonwatcher Music.

Waters’ strong, deep Americana and Country sound and distinct voice are showcased here. This twangy, soulful song expertly conveys the lyrical meaning. That sense of longing, of knowing there’s gotta be more.

Waters shares, “I was inspired to write Drive by a story about a man who dreamed of taking a road trip. He worked, he planned, he dreamed, life happened…but so did cancer. Reflecting on his father’s life, the man’s son realized his father left him more than a car and an unfulfilled dream, but a life lesson. The son put his busy life on hold to take that trip…to find some answers…to Drive!”  Check out the video here.

Waters hails from the Cajun town of Rayne, LA. She picked up the guitar at an early age and hasn’t stopped strumming since.

Drive is her first album of all original songs, mining a deep Americana/Country vein. Featuring a wealth of amazing session musicians (Joe Taylor, Blair Shotts, Randall Bramblett and Sean O’Brien Smith), the first single ‘Drive’ highlights Shelly’s soulful croon with a low-slung bluesy sound. (Guitar World / Acoustic Nation)

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Well-known Rayne Native Releases Debut Album

Signs record deal, revitalizes musical journey

The early years — a little, blonde-haired Rayne girl performing at local festivals and special events —- local fans still remember Shelly Pellerin belting out popular tunes as she fronted a live band.  Today, Shelly Pellerin Waters can be found singing songs from her new “Drive” CD under Joe Taylor’s Moonwatcher record label.

The first time Shelly Waters met the Moonwatcher Records’ owner, she found herself facing an impromptu audition. The veteran producer had heard Waters’ demos but needed to hear the voice devoid of home-production trappings. So he said, “play something for me and sing.”
Waters briefly flashed back to judging panels at youth beauty pageants, but quickly complied.  “She got two bars out and that was enough,” recalls Taylor, who signed on to produce Waters’ Moonwatcher label debut, Drive. “For me her voice has that indefinable ‘it factor.’ I don’t know how else to describe it. She’s got what Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris and other great, iconic singers have — a voice with such distinctive character that you can easily recognize it.”

The uniqueness of Waters’ voice may have something to do with the twists and turns of her story.  From a childhood in south Louisiana Cajun country to her Southeast coastal lifestyle today, there’s a lot of life in the songs Waters writes and sings. When asked to name influences she runs down a list of names drawn from country, rock and Americana, but then she gets a little antsy.  “I never wanted someone to hear me in concert and say ‘wow, you sound just like so-and-so,’ she says. “I’m Shelly, that’s who I am.”

Waters’ songwriting mines experiences for universal emotions. Inspired by a tiny bird that perched on her boat while she was miles out to sea, “Need To Rest” uses the metaphor to point to life’s little resting places.  “Drive” is a poignant seize-the-day reminder, inspired by a never taken father-son road trip and a personal metaphor for Shelly’s revitalized musical journey.  “Little Old House” conjures up childhood memories of a simple, humble upbringing.

The songs are rootsy, soulful and catchy, with “great hooks,” as Taylor notes, while Waters’ sultry voice smolders at the center of the mix. It’s truly impossible to put Drive in one stylistic camp, owing to Waters’ gumbo of disparate influences.  Both “Reaching for You” and “One and Only” (an homage to Patsy Cline) hearken back to the “swamp pop” of Waters’ upbringing — a regional subgenre perhaps best known for Phil Phillips’ 1959 hit “Sea Of Love” (later covered by Robert Plant and the Honeydrippers.)  On the other hand, “State Line” is mid-tempo rock with just the right touch of funkiness, while “She Waits” is a storytelling, acoustic-based ballad comparable to any big Nashville hit.

While there may be resonances with other iconic female singer/songwriters (both Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams come to mind) the product is “pure Shelly,” and a product of her undeniable creativity and soul.  In bringing her musical vision to life, Waters has been assisted by a merry cohort of copacetic sidemen, from Grammy-nominated Joe Taylor (who lends his formidable guitar skills) to well-known session pros Randall Bramblett (Widespread Panic, Bonnie Raitt) on Hammond B3 and Rhodes piano, Blair Shotts (Rihanna, The Roots) on drums, and Sean O’Bryan Smith (Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum) on bass.  Famed New York City recording engineer Mark Richardson (Alchematic Productions) captured the sound at Salt Creek Recording Studio and Grammy-winning mix/master engineer Chris Theis (Theis Mix) put the final touches on the project.

Perhaps as a testament to Waters’ writing, singing and musicianship, these respected musicians are leaving the cozy confines of their usual studio habitats to hit the road with Shelly, playing dates that include shows with Loretta Lynn and Hooray For the Riff-Raff.
“These players just love Shelly,” Taylor enthuses.

And surely Acadiana locals will enjoy Shelly’s new CD, “Drive.”

(Shelly is the daughter of Jimmie and Charlene Pellerin of Rayne and a 1986 graduate of Rayne High School.)

By Lisa Soileaux, Assistant Editor, Rayne Acadian-Tribune
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Shelly Waters releases new record – Drive is out November 4

In August, local country music songstress Shelly Waters opened up for Loretta Lynn at Boone Hall Plantation, and now she’s releasing a brand-new album. Drive features Charleston musicians including Joe Taylor, Randall Bramblett, Blair Shotts, and Sean O’Brien Smith. Recorded at Taylor’s Charleston studio and released on his own Moonwatcher Records, the 10-track album is slated for a Nov. 4 release on Amazon and iTunes. (Charleston City Paper)

Posted by Kelly Rae Smith on Fri, Oct 31, 2014 at 5:12 PM

 

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Bluegrass with a twist and a view at Edisto Island festival

While most people are heading to Halloween-related events or driving north to leaf-peep this weekend, one of the most laid-back festivals of the fall takes place Saturday at a picturesque coastal plantation.

The music at Edisto Island Mostly Bluegrass Festival shares the starring role with the grounds of Westbank Plantation, where the sea breeze wafts through centuries-old live oaks with tidal creeks winding in the background.

In that location, a bunch of kids playing kazoos might be enough, but festival organizers recruit performers to equal the stunning location.

The headliner is Hurray for the Riff Raff, which is Alynda Lee Segarra’s take on Americana music. Segarra’s rootsy folk sound has landed gigs on “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Conan” and NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

Shelly Waters with the Joe Taylor Group brings a Creole-Country flavor to the festival, while the rest of the lineup is more bluegrass oriented – Southern Flavor Bluegrass, Blue Iguanas, Flatt City, Blue Plantation, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, and Lonesome River Bank.

Doors open at 11 a.m., music starts at noon, Hurray for the Riff Raff takes the stage at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the gate. Bring your own chair, but leave the cooler at home. Dogs are allowed on leashes. Beer and wine is available at the festival. Concessions feature the Roti Rolls food truck and Po Pigs Bo-B-Q. More info: www.edistobluegrass.com (The State)

Joey Holleman

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Shelly Waters to Release Moonwatcher Records’ Debut DRIVE

Shelly Waters to Release Moonwatcher Records’ Debut DRIVE Stable of pros backs rising Americana songbird on this soulful, sultry release The first time Shelly Waters met Moonwatcher Records’ owner, Joe Taylor, she found herself facing an impromptu audition. The veteran producer had heard Waters’ demos but needed to hear the voice devoid of home-production trappings. So he said, “play something for me and sing.” Waters briefly flashed back to judging panels at youth beauty pageants, but quickly complied.

“She got two bars out and that was enough,” recalls Taylor, who signed on to produce Waters’ Moonwatcher label debut, Drive. “For me her voice has that indefinable ‘it factor.’ I don’t know how else to describe it. She’s got what Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris and other great, iconic singers have—a voice with such distinctive character that you can easily recognize it.”

The uniqueness of Waters’ voice may have something to do with the twists and turns of her story. From a childhood in south Louisiana Cajun country to her Southeast coastal lifestyle today, there’s a lot of life in the songs Waters writes and sings. When asked to name influences she runs down a list of names drawn from country, rock and Americana, but then she gets a little antsy.

“I never wanted someone to hear me in concert and say ‘wow, you sound just like so-and-so,’ she says. “I’m Shelly, that’s who I am.”

Waters’ songwriting mines experiences for universal emotions. Inspired by a tiny bird that perched on her boat while she was miles out to sea, “Need To Rest” uses the metaphor to point to life’s little resting places. “Drive” is a poignant seize-the-day reminder, inspired by a never taken father-son road trip and a personal metaphor for Shelly’s revitalized musical journey. “Little Old House” conjures up childhood memories of a simple, humble upbringing.

The songs are rootsy, soulful and catchy, with “great hooks,” as Taylor notes, while Waters’ sultry voice smolders at the center of the mix. It’s truly impossible to put Drive in one stylistic camp, owing to Waters’ gumbo of disparate influences. Both “Reaching for You” and “One and Only” (an homage to Patsy Cline) hearken back to the “swamp pop” of Waters’ upbringing—a regional subgenre perhaps best known for Phil Phillips’ 1959 hit “Sea Of Love” (later covered by Robert Plant and the Honeydrippers.)

On the other hand, “State Line” is mid-tempo rock with just the right touch of funkiness, while “She Waits” is a storytelling, acoustic-based ballad comparable to any big Nashville hit.  While there may be resonances with other iconic female singer/songwriters (both Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams come to mind) the product is “pure Shelly,” and a product of her undeniable creativity and soul.

In bringing her musical vision to life Waters has been assisted by a merry cohort of copacetic sidemen, from Grammy-nominated Joe Taylor (who lends his formidable guitar skills) to well-known session pros Randall Bramblett (Widespread Panic, Bonnie Raitt) on Hammond B3 and Rhodes piano, Blair Shotts (Rihanna, The Roots) on drums, and Sean O’Bryan Smith (Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum) on bass. Famed New York City recording engineer Mark Richardson (Alchematic Productions) captured the sound at Salt Creek Recording Studio and Grammy winning mix/master engineer Chris Theis (Theis Mix) put the final touches on the project.

Perhaps as a testament to Waters’ writing, singing and musicianship, these respected musicians are leaving the cozy confines of their usual studio habitats to hit the road with Shelly, playing dates that include shows with Loretta Lynn and Hooray For The Riff-Raff. “These players just love Shelly,” Taylor enthuses.

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Shelly Waters prepares to open for Loretta Lynn

Waters traded Louisiana swamps for Lowcountry marshes

Shelly Waters moved from the Louisiana Gulf Coast to Charleston about eight years ago when her husband’s work brought the pair here. Now the singer/songwriter is a regular fixture on the Chucktown music scene, and she’s even landed a spot opening for Loretta Lynn at Boone Hall Plantation this Friday. Though Waters formerly had a swamp-pop kind of sound, Waters’ music now falls more in the country or Americana genre .

Waters has been a singer and rhythm guitarist since she was 11 years old, but she always preferred covering other artists or playing music written for her. “I learned way back when I was a little kid, but I just never had never tried to write my own music,” Waters says. “About two years ago, I just decided to start putting things on paper.”Now Waters is preparing to release her second studio album, the first with her own music. With the new album Drive, Waters has had the chance to establish herself as an artist. “I wrote all of the songs on this record, with a co-writer on one song, so all of the music has a real taste of me and the genres that I like,” Waters says. “And each of the songs has its own little story.”

The song “Need to Rest” is one track off the new record with a story behind it worth telling. A few years ago, Waters and her husband traveled on a sailboat, and it was just the two of them running the boat night and day.

“When I woke up after one of his shifts, he told me this story about a little bird that landed on the boat and was tired, so she couldn’t fly away,” says Waters. “And she struggled a second, then just rested a few minutes on our deck — just sat there until she was ready to go.” The bird’s simple break struck Waters and she wrote “Need to Rest” to remind herself that it’s okay to just take a breather sometimes.

The new record’s namesake was inspired by an article that Waters read on a friend’s Facebook page. The article spoke of a man who died of cancer without fulfilling his lifelong dream of a cross-country road trip, but passed his car on to his son, who eventually took his father’s trip.

“It’s a seize-the-moment song. Like if there’s something you want to do, just drive — just do it,” says Waters. “It’s also a metaphor for my music career, because there was a spot in the middle of my life when I stepped away from it. Then two or three years ago, I just realized, ‘This is what I’m mean to do, and I need to just do it.’”

As Waters prepares to share a bill with Loretta Lynn this week, we’d say she’s on the right track. “The Loretta show is a very big deal, and it’s quite an honor to be able to do, so we’ve been working really hard to prepare,” Waters says, as she attempts to tone down the excitement in her voice. The show will take place Aug. 22 at the Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, with the doors opening at 4 p.m. Local singer/songwriter Ronnie Johnson will open at 6 p.m. before Waters takes the stage at 7:15 p.m. Lynn goes on at 8:30 p.m. (Charleston City Paper)

Posted by Michaela Michienz.

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