Kristian Booth’s story reads like a movie: at age 7 his parents divorced leaving his father to raise him as a single parent. Kristian’s father worked overtime as a mechanic in their hometown of Picayune, Mississippi. Kristian would spend hours at his fathers shop, and during down time, Kristian’s dad would pull out his guitar and sing. It was that playing and singing that sparked a dream in Kristian to pursue a career in music. When Kristian was 12 his father woke one morning hurting in his side. Never being sick a day in his life, Kristian dialed 911. As his father left for the hospital, it would be the last time Kristian would see his father alive. Kristian bounced between different homes until his grandparents made a pact to raise him. He continued his love for song by sitting daily with his grandmother at the piano and singing old gospel hymns for hours. After high school, he attended Pearl River Community College and worked as a DJ at the local radio station. When he wanted to move to Nashville, his grandmother urged him to get a music education in order to better assimilate into the music community; he enrolled at Belmont University. Kristian soon fell into the groove of Music Row, interning for Kenny Rogers and later for the largest Southern Gospel music booking agency in Nashville. He began writing and recording gospel music, and within 4 months, he had his first gospel radio hit and became the youngest male soloist on the gospel charts. Since graduating from Belmont, he has kept a busy touring schedule and has released five gospel albums. He has recorded duets with award winning artists Dottie Rambo, Sheri Easter, and Susan Ashton. He has also opened concerts for artists like, LeAnn Rimes, Sawyer Brown, Toby Keith, and Ricky Skaggs. In 2006, Kristian met producer Andrea Zonn and the two began a friendship rooted in their mutual love for classic gospel and country music. Zonn a talented vocalist and violinist(James Taylor, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett), began producing Kristian’s music in 2007. To date they have recorded two projects together and are quickly creating a buzz in the Nashville music community. Kristian is represented by the Beckie Simmons Agency and Pam Browne Management in Nashville, TN.

Just a group of boys who loves southern rock, rock and roll, and definitely country music! All the members in the band (Kustom Kountry) are from the same Mississippi county, (Stone). They have grown up listening to country music their whole life and playing in many different bands with their family during their lifetime. Trying to keep the tradition going and trying to make a name for their self while doing so. The group plays a variety of originals that are written by lead singer (Michael Bond) which include (8x10, I'm a redneck, Mississippi moonlight, and eternity) just to name a few. Dexter Mcqueen (drummer) has played drums for his dad (A.K.A. Butch Mcqueen and the Silver Dollar Band) his whole life. He and his dad have opened up for many well known headliners during his life. JJ Savage (rhythm guitarist,lead, and vocals) has been playing in bands his whole life with his family and he just loves any kind of country music. Allen (OP) Amend (Base guitar) also has played in many numerous bands and playing music growing up with his family. Michael Bond (Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and lead guitar) has also played in many different bands. Michael has sang in numerous programs and has won a lot of programs. Micahael has opened up for country music singer Kevin Sharp, has sang in front of Jeff Cook "Alabama's lead guitarist, has sang with award winning songwriter and friend Thom Shepherd who has written songs for Buddy Jewel "O'reily luck", "Riding with Private Malone" sang by David Ball, a parody of Private Malone for Cledus T. Judd, and his most recent number one hit "Redneck Yacht Club" sang by Craig Morgan. Michael and Rhythm guitarist JJ Saveage recently opened up for legendary Earl Thomas Conley with an acoustic performance. With all of that said, Plain and simple, these boys just love country music. Whether it be a local gig, a private party or opening up for headliners, it doesn't matter as long as they are playing country music they are the most happiest. So come on and check out Kustom Kountry, they will be coming to a town near you.

NEXT GENERATION. We have been playing together for almost two years and we have come a long way in sound quality. We hope you enjoy the website. For any information about booking gigs please contact Micah Ladner at (228)493-3404.

Every now and again a group seems to pop up from obscurity and into the limelight, and capture the imagination of those who thrive on Gospel music, Bluegrass Gospel, that is.

At the center of this Bluegrass Gospel band, stands the Moeller brothers, their voices blending in a way that only brothers can, to produce their own signature sound, a sound that is rarely heard in these days.

Born and raised on Shallow Creek Farm near Picayune, MS, they began singing together many years ago in the dairy barn, on the porch, and in their church. Brent, plays the bass, Jonathan, the guitar, and Farron, sings the lead. They all still live on Shallow Creek along with their families, parents, brothers and sisters, still using that great God given talent.

Things are moving quickly for the Bluegrass Gospel band, having been blessed with a bus, and consistent weekend concerts. They attribute this success to three of the best musicians in the Deep South: Kenny Dawsey on the mandolin, Gene Stone on the 5-string banjo, and Jarrod Harris on the Martin guitar. With the addition of these three fine musicians, Shallow Creek has come into its own.

The other members of the band also have their bragging rights. Jarrod Harris, a musical prodigy, has amazed his peers with his musical talents, and is recognized as a personality in his own right, delivering his own special guitar sound. Gene Stone, with an impressive musical history, began playing at the age of four, and has played almost every bluegrass instrument with impressive skill, and has always played bluegrass gospel. He has hosted his own television show, and performed with the legendary Walter Bailes of the Bailes Brothers fame. He has played with the well-known Sullivan Family, logging over 150,000 miles last year alone. Kenny Dawsey, on mandolin, is well-known to bluegrassers as one of the most in-demand performers in the Mid-South. Kenny, with a history in Gospel and Bluegrass, adds a certain rhythm that cannot be duplicated.

Driving rhythms and soaring vocals describes this up and coming modern country quartet. Infusing country, rock, and original material Autumn Rise-N delivers a unique breed of good feeling music, sure to bring the house down.  Emerging from local clubs and casinos, Autumn Rise-N is striving to branch out.  With a line up built around a hard-driving rhythm section, layered by sun-kissed vocals.  Being described as a “Good Times Band” is but an understatement, they are the good time band with a mission of delivering the audience an exciting time. This is not your mama’s country band, but she wouldn’t mind getting down to it.  Autumn Rise-N supplies music to an Audience that wants to kick off their shoes and get down to having a good time. Want to see more catch a show.

Glenn Dale Fontenot, vocalist and rhythm guitarist, along with the talented vocalist and keyboardist, Ms. Kitty, form a duo that utilizes a laptop computer to generate a mixed live and computerized music format. The live vocals and instruments that are blended with the computer generated music gives the look and feel of a live act and the sound of an entire band. Both artists alternate singing lead and backup. Glenn plays an electric/acoustic rhythm guitar with a wireless rig that allows him to leave the stage when not singing and stroll amongst the audience; talking to them, while not missing a strum on his guitar. Kitty is equipped with a wireless microphone that also allows her to leave the stage area and stroll through the crowd. Clientele are caught off guard, and always impressed, by this unique and very entertaining feature of this duo act. The duo's PA and stage equipment take up a very small space and can be placed in as little as an eight-foot square area. But don't be fooled, their sound can fill an auditorium thus making them available for large or small venues. These talented artists can perform hundreds of songs, all styles, from many eras and can almost instantly respond to patron's request. From country and oldies to classic rock, some blues, and a little rock-n-roll, there are not many standards that this act can't cover. Even if they don't have a requested song in their computer, they probably know it anyway, and will perform it "ad lib" with just acoustic guitar and keyboard. This is a request-taking-dance-band for a thirty to sixty year old age group. They don't offer much alternative and have no rap material.

New Orleans-based singer songwriter Lynn Drury's powerful wail and sultry singing have been compared to such performers as Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, Janis Joplin, Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star and even Norah Jones.  But this Mississippi girl is making her own name for herself, belting out a breath of fresh air into the New Orleans music scene and beyond and winning over fans with a style all her own.  

Her music blends the funky sounds of New Orleans with the countrified roots of her rural upbringing, creating a sound that escapes easy classification. What's sure is that people are taking note. In 2004, readers of the Louisiana roots music magazine Offbeat named Drury as the best emerging singer/songwriter.  In 2003, Offbeat named her third album, Spun, one of the best new releases of the year.

With her Southern-tinged drawl and infectious melodies, Drury and her band continue to attract interest and build their reputation both in New Orleans and around the region.  The group has performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Festival and venues through the southeast and the West Coast. An album of all new material is also in the works.

Drury's natural songwriting talents are evident in her original material, which can move from heartbreaking to hilarious as quickly as life itself.  Her current band has a truly stellar cast: Casandra Faulconer, recently nominated for an OffBeat award as New Orleans’s best bassist; guitarist Brian Seeger, Stanton Moore & Quintology alum; and drummer/vocalist extrordinaire Chris Pylant. They lay down solid grooves and weave ambient textures, allowing the sound of Drury's voice and the meaning of her songs to float above.

Here is what the music writer Michael Dominici of Offbeat Magazine had to say about a recent Lynn Drury performance:

"I was taken aback with the beauty of her voice.  Drury's powerful, Mississippi-honed voice has a sort of soulful, burnished twang (similar to Lucinda Williams) tempered with that same southern sweet sincerity that makes Nora Jones so appealing.  One of the strongest performances that I've heard all summer."

To hear for yourself, click on the Music link from our homepage to download song samples or see the Schedule section for a list of upcoming live gigs.

Di Anne Foxx Achievements keep Growing

Independent Artist, Di Anne Foxx, a native of Picayune, MS, has done something that few major artist can claim credit to. Di Anne has signed an agreement for Warner Brothers Studio to use her music vocals in the motion picture entitled "Lucky You". This film is directed by Curtis Hanson who is also known for such box office hits as " L.A. Confidential," Wonder Boys " and " 8 Mile ". Drew Barrymore, Eric Bana, Oscar winner Robert Duvall, and Debra Messing round out the all-star cast for this production. Screenplay written by Oscar winning screenwriters, Curtis Hanson and Eric Roth. This film is the story of a professional poker player ( Eric Bana) who gets a lesson in life from a struggling singer played by Drew Barrymore, as he collides with his estranged father played by Robert Duvall. The story is centered around the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Di Anne was notified that the scene, using her voice, was deleted along with the scene next to it, and would only be included in the "Deleted Scenes" on the DVD. "Lucky You" was released on DVD, September 18th, 2007. Debra Messing lip-synchs to Di Anne’s version of "Bartenders Blues", written by James Taylor, while doing a mermaid scene underwater. Di Anne released this song on her last album, "Tainted Rose". The album has won Di Anne numerous awards in Nashville, two of which are from the ICMA for "Entertainer of The Year" and the "American Heritage Award". The last award was for active roll by performances Di Anne has taken for our Veterans, the disabled and the elderly. The album has also achieved the status of "Airplay Platinum" from Radio Station Airplay and product sales through ICMA. Di Anne is also a strong and well known advocate of saving our planet and her album included a song supporting "Earth Day" which has become a standard for that cause and is played nationwide every year on Earth Day. Di Anne has been a friend of Turtle Pond for many years now. She was a favorite of the Late Earl Phelps who was our talent scout and " Uncle Earl " to all who knew him. No one here was at all surprised to hear of this accomplishment.

Paul B. Pellegrine

Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Paul was born in Mississippi and has had several "careers", including private industry, twenty-five years as a Police Officer, and singer / songwriter.  While he has been involved with music for most of this life, this is his first entry into the field of Christian Country music.  All of the songs on his new CD were written by Paul.  About a year ago he was asked to write just one Christian song and after doing so, the words to more songs began to come almost on a daily basis.  When asked recently where the songs were coming from, Paul replied, "God is writing them, I'm just writing them down!"

Paul and his wife Kathy live on a ranch in Mississippi and enjoy their horses and the country life.

GodSpeed3 is a dynamic Christian rock group born out of the desire for good quality Christian style entertainment. The band is based out of south Mississippi and is a blend of Rock, Blues, Country, and Alternative styles of music. The members have been playing in different bands for years, but have recently come together to form an exciting partnership that is destined to do good things. The lead singer, Michael Clogher, has a unique, modern rock voice that really packs a punch and gives the band its identity. The rhythm section is laid down like a ton of bricks by Geri Grubbs and Mark Beech. Jennifer Drennan’s backing vocals blend seamlessly with Michael’s for an ethereal quality unheard of in other bands. Travis Kennedy and Chris Speir handle the guitar and keyboard workload for the band. They work together to make the music the best that it can be. The band writes, records, and performs their own music, as well as popular Christian rock music.

The popularity and success of the band Witness is based on their musicianship, vocalization, and the ability to play many styles and artists that appeal to audiences of all ages.  With over a decade of experience and many performances, the band Witness has become one of Louisiana’s own musical professionals.

Among the variety of engagements in which Witness performs, weddings are their specialty, but they also bring their excitement and spontaneity to any special event.  Witness is especially known for involving the audience in their performances and making participants a part of the fun.  The band’s well rounded repertoire makes them well suited to functions of any type.

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