Patty Loveless to tour in support of “Mountain Soul II”

With just a few weeks to go before the release of the highly anticipated “Mountain Soul II” record, Patty Loveless is hitting the road for her first in a series of concerts around the country. The tour will begin tonight in St. Louis at the Sheldon Concert Hall and will continue through the fall and winter. Patty and band will be playing tracks from the new record as well as some favorites from years past.

Mountain Soul II (in stores September 29) is the follow up to the original Mountain Soul, which was named a Top Ten record of 2001 by both USA Today and Entertainment Weekly.

As part of the record launch, Patty is taking the opportunity to support the Christian Appalachian Project. By logging on to http://www.christianapp.org/ users can make a donation to the organization and will receive a free download of “Working on a Building” from Mountain Soul II. All donations will help bring real change to the lives of the men, women and children of Appalachia living in poverty. Patty is pleased to be able to give back to the people of the Appalachia, and as a tax-deductable gift, the funds will help provide meals to children suffering from hunger, shelter to seniors living in unimaginable conditions, and so much more. The issues facing families in Appalachia was brought to the forefront in a featured special report by Diane Sawyer on 20/20 called “A Hidden America”, in February of 2009.

Growing up in Pikeville, Kentucky, the music of the Appalachians has always been near and dear to Patty. Nearly nine years ago Mountain Soul introduced Patty to an even larger fan base, attracting listeners in the Bluegrass and Americana genres while also proving to be a favorite amongst her long-time fans. Like its predecessor, the new album will feature Patty’s crystalline country vocals amid bluegrass-tinged instrumentation.

This will be the second record Patty has done with Saguaro Road Records, following 2008’s Sleepless Nights, which was nominated for a Grammy.

The repertoire on Mountain Soul II ranges from the traditional gospel tunes “Working on a Building” and “Friends in Gloryland” to contemporary compositions such as Jon Randall’s gorgeous ballad “You Burned the Bridge” and Barbara Keith’s soaring folk ode “Bramble and the Rose.” The daughter of a Kentucky coal miner, Patty restores the original mining lyrics to Harlan Howard’s 1962 classic “Busted.” On the Emmylou Harris song “Diamond in My Crown,” Patty’s vocal is accompanied by a harmony part from its originator. The lovely melody of “Fools Thin Air,” penned by Susanna Clark and Rodney Crowell, is drenched in bluegrass harmony. The throbbing “Prisoner’s Tears” is backed by a sighing steel guitar.

To date, Patty has issued eight Gold Record albums, four of which have gone on to Platinum status. She is noted for such chart-topping hits as “Timber I’m Falling in Love,” “Chains,” “Blame it on Your Heart,” “You Can Feel Bad” and “Lonely Too Long,” as well as such enduring fan favorites as “I Try to Think About Elvis,” “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye,” “I’m That Kind of Girl” and “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am.” Look for Patty in the November issue of People Country, on stands November 13. To learn more go to www.PattyLoveless.com

TOUR DATES*:

10/10/09 Orpheum Performing Arts Centre Wichita, KS

10/14/09 Georgia Mountain Fair Hiawassee, GA

10/23/09 Bijou Theatre Knoxville, TN

10/31/09 Ram’s Head On Stage Annapolis, MD

11/01/09 The Birchmere Alexandria, VA

*More to be added soon