MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE The son of a teacher and a Baptist preacher, one would assume that Jerry Lee Surber would tend to paint inside the lines most of the time. Even so, there's a very eclectic feel to the music that he presents on WRANGLER. There's a little bit of Texas Roadhouse sounds on the CD's opener, the title cut. Then he takes a turn on the light-and-easy "Keep On Dancin" which should be a favorite on many dance floors in the Lone Star state. Vocally, I prefer the ballads on this disc, and he's got some good ones. There's a vulnerability in the story song "He Left Her Standin" that he pulls off quite nicely, and strikes a romantic chord in "Kiss Me Back". The uptempo fare stands up pretty well though. "So There" adds a little bit of funk to his style, and "Try To Go The Distance"..the albums best cut..tips a hat to 70's acts like Poco, America, and the Eagles. I don't know if Surber would be as effective delivering this material ten to twenty years ago, as he hadn't lived these experiences yet. With his age and wisdom, these songs definitely sound like they are coming straight from the heart......and that's what sets them apart!!!!

The eagerly awaited follow-up to HEY---GUITAR has arrived from veteran native Texan singer/songwriter/guitarist JERRY LEE SURBER. Jerry and his producer Chip Martin have pushed the musical envelope a little further across the table with this outstanding new CD entitled WRANGLER. From the first song...entitled "Wrangler"...you know you're in for an emotional rollercoaster ride on this...Jerry's second solo CD...released a little over a year since the release of his debut HEY---GUITAR CD. This is an amazing collection of country, country-rock, southern rock and Americana genres...all rolled into one CD. Each song tells it's own story and each song pulls you in....and never let's you go. From the upbeat "Keep On Dancin" and "Just Like That" to the very heartstring tugging "He Left Her Standin" and "Leavin Only Lina" to the rockin' "Come On Rosey", "She's The Reason I Left Texas" and the insightful "She's In Love With Bein In Love" and "Memories Of Home".....you're in for lots of musical and emotional treats!!! You won't want to stop listening to this sixteen song collection. It's a wonderful example of outstanding songwriting....delivered with a unique, one-of-a-kind voice that will haunt your soul from the first time you hear it. This artist is here to stay.....just a country boy....with true GOD-given talent who shares it freely with all of us. Don't miss this soon to be "classic" example of blue-eyed Texas soul at it's best. You'll never be able to stop listening to WRANGLER. Combined with his first release (HEY---GUITAR)......Jerry has exploded onto the Texas music scene with a musical "bang" and will be in all our hearts forever. Thanks Jer!!!!

Here is the deal. Surber doesn't write songs...he paints them. The songs that he writes are the kind that play in your mind's eye as a movie would...you see his songs and emotions as they play on this sixteen song disc. Sometimes you are smiling from the feel good light-hearted melodies and sometimes you are left silent...imagining the pain that the song reveals...but no matter what...you are in the songs...and they are in you. The production is absolutely top notch, as producer Chip Martin and Surber combine perfectly on this disc entitled HEY---GUITAR. An example of this is in the song "Don't Have To Love Me Back".... a great song, enhanced but not overshadowed by wonderful production. Other highlights include: "Down In Mexico", "He Don't Matter To Her No More", "I've Been There", and "Hard Luck". Very nice work in producing an All-American "Original Southern Music" compilation album that is well-worth listen after listen!!!

HEY---GUITAR is a great CD! Each song is different but has the same flavor from this insightful artist. From inflections and emotional expressions to good old rock and roll..this sixteen song disc doesn't miss a beat. It fits into all genres, can and will be appreciated by all music lovers. This is one of those rare gems from Surber, a native of Shamrock,TX... that you can put in, press play, and let it go. There's not a bad song on it...it's all great stuff! The words, the music, the obvious expertise of the musicians and the expert songwriting skills make this disc a great one to add to your collection..and tell all your friends about. There are so many intricacies in the music that compliment the song lyrics...incredible harmony vocals... we have definitely found a new fave! This CD has is all and it will blow you away! Looking forward to much more from this artist!!!

With a name like Jerry Lee, you would have to figure that you would be in for a dose of Southern music mixed with a little bit of blues. That's what you get on this disc entitled HEY---GUITAR. Surber, a native of Shamrock,TX, assembled quite an interesting collection on this sixteen song disc. First of all, the instrumentation is nothing less than first-rate all the way through. Whether it be Surber, Chip Martin, Brian Pruitt, or Jason Roller, there's some awfully nice picking all the way through. Vocally, to suggest that Surber's vocals are clean and pristine would be stretching things a little. His voice is one that has been lived in, a trait that is very apparent on tracks like "Hard Luck", and "Ev'ry Town", which is an ode to small town life. He's better on the uptempo cuts, such as "Educated Redneck", which benefits from some strong dobro playing from Martin. His vocal approach brings to mind someone like Chris LeDoux, who had a style all his own. Is is Country? Well, that could be debated. Is it Blues? That could be debated as well. Is it entertaining? That, I can tell you most assuredly, it is!!!

With a name like Jerry Lee, you would have to figure that you would be in for a dose of Southern music mixed with a little bit of blues. That's what you get on this disc entitled HEY---GUITAR. Surber, a native of Shamrock,TX..assembled quite an interesting collection with this sixteen song disc. First of all, the instrumentation is nothing less than first-rate all the way through. Whether it be Surber, Chip Martin, Brian Pruitt, or Jason Roller, there's some awfully nice picking all the way throughout. Vocally, to suggest that Surber's vocals are clean and pristine would be stretching things a little. His voice is one that has been lived in, a trait that is very apparent on tracks like "Hard Luck", and "Ev'ry Town",which is an ode to small town life. He's better on the uptempo cuts, such as "Educated Redneck", which benefits from some strong dobro playing from Martin. His vocal approach brings to mind someone like Chris LeDoux, who had a style all his own. Is it Country? Well, that could be debated. Is it blues? That could be debated as well. Is it entertaining? That, I can tell you most assuredly....it is!!!!

Jerry is a true storytelling musician, and in this release he shows us several different musical plots. Yet, no matter which direction the songs take you, they are consistently well written, thoughtful, and produced wonderfully. Cheers and keep marching Jerry.

Just wanted to thank everyone at LSM(especially Isis) for adding my new HEY---GUITAR CD. As a Native Texan (from Shamrock,Texas in the Texas Panhandle) I am so fortunate to have grown up in an area where many story tellers have dwelled and flourished..from whom I learned so much. I appreciate everyone listening. I'm proud to be a Native Texan and my songs are 'pure' Texas music with all their variety as well as the passion that comes from writing about what I know..and singing them from my soul. Thankyou again for listening to HEY---GUITAR. Jer a.k.a. the ever-grateful songwritin' Native Texan Jer dude