Country Ghetto [CD]

ALSO AVAILABLE ON VINYL LP

All songs written and arranged by JJ Grey, and published by JJ Grey Music, BMI.
Produced and mixed by Dan Prothero.
Recorded by Dan Prothero and Jim Devito at Retrophonics Studio in St. Augustine, Florida.

JJ Grey - vocals, keys, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, twelve string guitar, harmonica, bass
Daryl Hance - guitar, slide guitar
Adam Scone - organ, organ bass
George Sluppick - drums

HORN SECTION: Ian Hendrickson-Smith (baritone and tenor saxophone), Cochemea Gastleum (tenor saxophone) and Dave Guy (trumpet). Arranged by Ian Hendrickson-Smith; co-arranged by Dave Guy, Cochemea Gastleum and JJ Grey.

STRING SECTION: Batya MacAdam-Somer (violin), David Medine (violin), Hayley Neher (viola) and Jessie Marino (cello). Arranged by Alex Mincek (strings on The Sun is Shining Down arranged by Alex Mincek and JJ Grey).

LADIES BACKGROUND VOCALS: Liza Oxnard, Hazel Miller, and Linda Lewellyn.

FAMILY BACKGROUND VOCALS (on The Sun is Shining Down): Harley “Uncle Sonny” Higginbotham, Shirley Higginbotham, and Elena Higginbotham. The Higginbothams appear courtesy of the good Lord.

Horns and strings recorded at Threshold Studios, New York City by Ariel Benjamin. Ladies Background vocals recorded at Coupe Studios, Boulder, CO by Greg McRae. Family Background Vocals recorded at Jam Preservez Studio, Valliant, OK by Eugene “Boogie” Tidmore.

Executive Production by Jesse Aratow. Cover artwork by JJ Grey. Graphic design by Dan Prothero and JJ Grey. Photography by Eric Sutton, Dan Prothero, and C. Taylor Crothers.

Our thanks to the following fine folks: Dan Prothero, Jesse Aratow, Jim and Nancy Devito, Madison House, Chris Delucchi, Jeremiah Tesh, Tom Windish, Jim Hance and family, Dave Guy, Ian Hendrickson-Smith, The Higginbothams, Linda Lewellyn, Batya MacAdam-Somer, Jesse Marino, Greg McRae, Dave Medine, Hazel Miller, Alex Mincek, Hayley Neher, Liza Oxnard, Mark Baxter, Ariel Benjamin, Brad and Mindy Mastrine & Baseline Gear, Savannah Buffett, Chowder Teds, Chris Carroll, Will Conner, C. Taylor Crothers, Bart Dahl, Brett Fitzgerald, Galactic, Shaun Gilmour, Willie Green, The Greyhounds, Jensen Hande, Eli Higginbotham, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Legendary JC's, Carrie Lombardi & Madison House Publicity, Megan McFann, Kinsey Miller, Suzi Matthews & New Sensor, Mudkidz, NMAS, Brian Presnell, Chuck Prophet, Spookie Daly, The Yearling, Michael Waggoner and Gibson Guitars.

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I grew up when the “root hog or die” days were still fresh in the minds of my parents and grandparents. I was brought up to earn it and not waste it, to respect and protect womanhood and promote manhood, and to be thankful for what you got. By today's standard we ourselves, and most of the folks we knew, lived below the so-called “poverty line”. We were land and culture rich and dollar poor but I wouldn't trade my upbringing for any other. I've always felt blessed to be raised here, to know so many larger than life characters, and to steep in the years of blood, sweat and the grim determination of my people before me.

My culture, life and love is here in this country ghetto.
—JJ Grey