Backyard Records

A label devoted to deserving independent artists

Latest News - You can now pre-order Holly McCormack's debut album"So Far From Reality" for just $12.00 plus shipping. To see the album's complete track list, visit our music page. To order the album just click on the buy now button below the cover. We also want to thank Christine Lewis for her excellent cover photography.

- We have been hard at work on Holly McCormack's debut album "So Far From Reality." Just to give you a little tease, for the next couple of weeks you can go to our music page and listen to the complete first track titled "That Look."

- Holly will be back in the studio to cut the last track on her debut album "So Far From Reality" on January 21st. Holly has been working with jazz musician and producer Bryan Anderson to finish up the recording. Bryan is from Charlotte, NC and has released several albums of smooth jazz, his latest efforts "Slow Your Roll" and "Beaufort Avenue" have been dubbed acoustical jewels by critics and fans. To check out Bryan's music visit www.bryanandersonmusic.com 

- Holly McCormack was recently in the studio doing some recording with the Christian rock band "Red Letter Disciple." We all had a great rocking time. Thanks guys.

- Congratulations to Brian Minshew. His video for "Take Me To Heart" charted in the top ten for the month of October for "Ourstage's" Pop video competition. We also want to thank Monte Wilson at Wilson Art Media and Kevin Kruger for thier work putting the video together.

 - Welcome to our redesigned website. We have been busy making some upgrades to the site so our visitors will have an easier time accessing our music and videos. The new site also gives us a better platform to display future content to our viewers. So feel free to look around and give us some feedback on any areas we can still improve on. We would love to hear from you.

- For the next couple of weeks we are giving our listeners a sneak peak of Holly McCormack's new song "That Look." The track will be included on "So Far From Reality" her upcoming album. To check it out go to Holly's reverbnation page.

- Holly McCormack will be performing at the Wine Over Water Festival on Saturday October 1st in Chattanooga TN. For information and showtimes visit www.wineoverwater.org.

- Congratulations to Michelle Holder. Her video for "Hurtin' and Blue" charted in the top ten for the month of July for "Ourstage's" country video competition. We also want to thank everyone at Dreamwind Studios in Joplin Missouri for thier help putting the video together.

 - Holly McCormack was recently in the studio working on her song "Let Me Breathe" with drummer Danny Lastinger, on loan from the "Doc Holiday Band." Holly hopes to include the track on her as yet untitled album, due out in early 2012. Thanks go out Danny and everyone for their hard work on the track. For up to the minute information please visit Holly's facebook page at Holly's facebook page.

- Backyard Records is proud to annouce that we have signed Chattanooga native Holly McCormack to our roster of artists. Holly is an up and coming singer/songwriter within the Folk genre and has performed at many of the area's music venues. She features evocative, smoky vocals cut from the same vein as Patti Griffin, with a hint or two of Janis Joplin mixed in for good measure. We plan to begin working on her first fully produced album in June and hope to release it in early 2012 if not sooner.

Left to right - VP A&R-Michelle Holder, CEO-Michael Harris, New Artist-Holly McCormack, and VP Information Technology-Stuart Wooden 

- June’s segment of “Live from the Backyard” features our own Brian Minshew. Brian has been a long time regular at the Chattanooga Choo Choo entertainment complex and was voted the best male vocalist in the tri-state area in 2010. Brian sits down with our host Lyn Isbell and talks about the recording of his debut album “Notes on the Human Condition” and also finds time to deliver a live studio version of a new song titled “Tonight.”  To check out the show just click on our music page.

 - May's segment of "Live from the Backyard" features southern blues artist Barry Darnell. Barry cut his teeth by playing juke joints and honky tonks all over the southeast, and even sang for spare change on the streets of Underground Atlanta. For his first real studio effort, Barry adopted the moniker of "Mobile Slim" and gathered a group of Macon all-stars to record "The Return of Mobile Slim" his debut album. Barry sits down with our host Lyn Isbell to comment on his musical background and the origin of "Mobile Slim." Along the way he delivers a live studio version of "24 Hours a Day" a song he hopes to include on his next album. To check it out visit our music page.

- April's segment of "Live from the Backyard" features folk singer Kate Klim. Kate recently won the 2010 Kerrville new folk competition and has been busy recording her second album "Kamikaze Love." She sits down with our host Julie Steele to discuss the inspiration behind her music and also talks about several songs off of "Up and Down and Up Again" her first album. She also performs an excellent acoustic rendition of "Ripple." To check it out just go to our music page.

 - We are saddened by the passing of blues legend Eddie Kirkland. Eddie was killed in an automobile accident Sunday morning near Tampa Florida. He was 87 years old and had been performing since the age of twelve. Eddie played with many great musicians during his life including Otis Redding, John Lee Hooker, and most recently the rock group Foghat. Lyn Isbel and I had the rare opportunity to meet Eddie and see him perform with Macon blues man Barry Darnell at the historic Douglass Theatre back in March of 2009. His guitar work was at times breathtaking; the music world will miss him more than we know. For more information please visit www.eddiekirkland.com.

- March’s segment of “Live from the Backyard” features Canadian singer/songwriter Elaine Ryan. Elaine offers up thoughtful lyrics coupled with soothing organic vocals which are sure to captivate listeners. Elaine sits down with our host Chrisann Parr to discuss some of the inspiration behind “Songs from the River” and also performs a new song “The Secrets of Girls” live in the studio. To check it out just go to our music page and click it. 

 

- February's segment of "Live from the Backyard" features our own artist Michelle Holder. Michelle sits down with host Julie Steele to discuss her debut album "Heartfelt" and also performs a live studio version of her new song "Salted Destiny" which she co-wrote with Jack Gray and Erika DeRossier. Be sure to check it out on our music page.

 

  - Michelle Holder and "Live from the Backyard" host Julie Steele were recently in the studio working on a small project. While there, we got to meet "Dingbat" a slightly updated character from the old "Shock Theatre" show. It seems that a movement is a foot to revive the show with our friend Jack Gray playing the role of Dr. Shock.

  

- Backyard Records and Sanders Ridge Vineyard will be reviving the "Live from the Backyard" interviews for 2011. January's show will feature folk singer/songwriter Kristen Leigh. Kristen sits down with our host Chrisann Parr to discuss her new album "Making Friends with Ghosts" and she performs a rare live studio version of her song "Day Off." To hear the interview just go to our music page and click on it.

- Backyard Records will be sponsoring a performance by Canadian Folk singer/songwriter Elaine Ryan at The Sanders Ridge Vineyard in Booneville, North Carolina on Sunday December 5th at 2:00 pm. Elaine will be performing cuts from "Songs from the River" her recently released album. So everyone come on out and have a glass of wine and a good listen.

- Congratulations to Jeff Leyerle on his recent win for his film "Contactee." Jeff's film won the Best Okie Film at the Southern Winds Film Festival. Jeff was also the cinematographer for the "Take Me To Heart" video. For more information on Jeff and his upcoming projects visit http://jeffleyerle.blogspot.com 

- Congratulations to Monte Wilson, Brian Minshew and the cast and crew of the "Take Me To Heart" video for winning the Best Music Video at the Southern Winds Film Festival. We also want to thank Kate Joyce and Dennis Dyer for their help with organizing the pre-screening cast and crew party. It was wonderful to see everyone again.Thanks for coming out and we hope you enjoyed the party.                           

Michael Harris and Pamela Cross at the pre-screening party

- The Southern Winds Film Festival in Oklahoma has selected "Take Me To Heart" to screen during the 2010 festival. The video will be featured on Saturday September 11th at 10:00 pm. Backyard Records and Wilson Art Media will also be sponsoring a pre-screening cast and crew party at the Shawnee Senior Center adjacent to the festival. This is a great opportunity  for anyone in the area to come out and meet many of the artists, actors, and production associates who helped produce the video.

- We are proud to announce the music video for "Take Me To Heart" has been selected as a finalist in the music category for the Action/Cut Short Film Competition. Action/Cut is ranked by Move Magazine as one of the top ten short film competitions in the world. The winners will be announced on September 1st, 2010.  For more information please visit www.actioncut.com/sfc/competition.htm 

- Brian Minshew's music video for "Take Me To Heart" has been selected for screening by the AOF Film Festival in Pasadena California. The festival will run from July 23rd to July 30th, 2010. AOF Pasadena is rated as one of the top 25 film festivals in the country by Moviemaker Magazine and enjoys strong support among the film industry. Director Monte Wilson will also be present at the festival, so if your in the Southern California area, this is a great opportunity to come out and meet Monte and view the video.

 - Backyard Records has recently released a promotional video for artist Brian Minshew. The video contains live footage from Brian's concert at the Roland Hayes Concert Hall and is narrated by our good friend Lyn Isbel. To see the video, just click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5IlMIGec24.  We also want to thank Michael Clark from Clark Video Productions, Jelani from Quantum Beats, and Tom Rowan from the Sound Lab in Greensboro for all their help putting it together.

- Several key folks from Backyard Records were able to accompany Brian Minshew and Monte Wilson to the Tupelo Film Festival for the Mississippi premier of Brian's video "Take Me To Heart."  We want to thank festival organizer Pat Rasberry and all the great folks in Tupelo for extending such warm hospitality to us all and for putting on a wonderful event. We had a great time and really enjoyed the festival.  

From left to right - Artist Brian Minshew, Director Monte Wilson, 

 

- Backyard Records and Wilson Art Media are pleased to announce that Brian Minshew's music video"Take Me To Heart" has been selected to be included in the Delray Beach Film Festival. It will be screened at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at the DeBilzan Gallery on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. If you are in the area, get out to the festival and be one of the first to see this poignant video.             

  - Michelle Holder has just recently finished recording her new single "Blue Sky Love" with violinist Ueli Schweizer. A big thanks goes out to Goose and the rest of the session players for all the help putting the track together. 

  

 - Michelle Holder will be heading back into the studio on February 21st, to record a new single written by emerging Folk artist Kate Klim titled "Blue Sky Love."  Michelle hopes to add her characteristic country feel and stylistic vocals to the arrangement.

 

- The video for “Take Me To Heart” has been awarded the Royal Reel Award by the Canada International Film Festival, which is set to take place in Vancouver Canada from March 19th through March 21st, 2010. Congratulations to Director Monte Wilson, Brian Minshew, and everyone involved in this project. If you are in the Vancouver area, make sure to check out the video and the festival.

 

- Backyard Records has released a new Barry Darnell video of Barry's song "Too Big For My Britches."  The video was captured live at Barry's recent performance in Chattanooga.  Click here http://www.clarkvideoproductions.com/darnell.html to view the video.

  - Congratulations to Brian Minshew. His song "Take Me to Heart" charted in the top 20 for October's soft rock channel on www.ourstage.com.  

- Michelle Holder and Brian Minshew of Backyard Records presented Connie Patterson a check to benefit the local "Santa for all Seasons" charity in Chattanooga. The proceeds came from Brian's recent benefit concert at the UTC-Roland Hayes Concert Hall. 

 

  -Brian Minshew will be appearing on the radio show "Around and About" which will be broadcast on WUTC 88.1 FM radio July 22nd at 10:00AM and 2:00PM. The show is hosted by Julie Steele and highlights news and happenings in the Chattanooga area. 

Brian Minshew will be on location in Oklahoma City shooting scenes for his up coming video for the song "Take Me To Heart." The video will be filmed on July 10th, 11th and 12th and is being directed by Monte Wilson. For more information about Monte please visit www.wilsonartmedia.com. 

Brian Minshew's debut album "Notes on the Human Condition" is now available for purchase at www.cdbaby.com/cd/brianminshew2 

Michelle Holder has been busy recently in the studio helping to produce her friend Brian Minshew's debut album "Notes on the Human Condition."  Michelle has also been helping out with some of the backup vocals. A couple of early cuts are now posted on Brian's my space at  www.myspace.com/brianminshew09. So be sure to stop by and check them out.

Michelle Holder will be appearing with pianist Fred Mayes at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library on October 18th from 7:30-11:00 PM to help raise funds for the library. Michelle will be performing material from her album "Heartfelt" along with other timeless classics. Club Lib is a one night only event in which the library is transformed into a "happening club" featuring food, music, and fun for all. The event is co-sponsored by local radio stations Sunny 92.3 FM and The Mountain 96.5 FM. So everyone come out and help support the library.

Michelle Holder and Brian Minshew will be performing at the Siskins Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday September 17th. There appearance will help celebrate Siskins annual 70's event. Siskins Hospital is the region's leader in medical rehabilitation services and is located across the street from Erlanger Hospital.

To shop for unique "Heartfelt"  t-shirts click on the link below.
www.cafepress.com/michelleholder   

Michelle Holder will be appearing with fellow singer Brigget Smith at the Strawberry Festival May 17th in Dayton TN. The show starts at 6:00 PM, So everyone come out and enjoy the festival. 

Michelle Holder's song "In Another Life" is listed in the top 25 for American Idol Underground radio's country chart for the week of April 21st.  

 -Michelle Holder and the rest of the Station House Singers will be appearing at the 2007 Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga Tennesee. The show will be June 10th at 6:30 PM on the Unum Provident Stage and features some of the best in classic Rock/Pop and Country tunes.  Everyone mark your calendars and come out and help support the festival.

Michelle Holder's song "In Another Life" now listed in top 75 Country songs for March 2006 on American Idol's Underground Radio.

"Heartfelt" is now available for digital download at Apple iTunes, Napster, Yahoo, and MSN Music for just 99 cents per song.