The Dukes Of Dixieland - When Country Meets Dixie (2012)

Touchstones of Dixieland Jazz and country music genres, the DUKES of Dixieland and the Oak Ridge Boys, joined to collaborate and record a harmonious new project entitled WHEN COUNTRY MEETS DIXIE. A dynamic composition of big band New Orleans jazz meets barbershop, gospel country , the compilation is poised to inspire and entertain generations young and old with the masterful blend of trumpets, trombones, clarinets and sax (baritone and tenor). The impetus for the project came from a what if dinner conversation between music industry powerhouses John Shoup and Jim Halsey, and the N awlins Country project was born.

Current DUKES of Dixieland members (trumpeter Kevin Clark, trombonist Ben Smith, clarinetist/saxophonist Ryan Burrage, pianist Scott Obenshain, bassist Alan Broome and drummer JJ Juliano) joined the Grammy Award-winning Oak Ridge Boys (Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden) for the project, and producer James Stroud ( of Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and Chris Young fame) lent his talents behind the board.

The venture produced four songs recorded together: Elvira , Little Talk With Jesus , Bobbie Sue and Unclouded Day . Adding to the stellar collaboration are recordings from veterans and newcomers backed by the steady instrumentation of the DUKES of Dixieland. Music veterans Wesley Probst, Richard Scott Obenschain and Bobby John Henry all make their contributions with individual tracks; performances by country music s newest talents, Callaway McCord and Lathan Moore are also highlighted.

A New Orleans dynasty and Good Will Ambassadors for the City of New Orleans, the DUKES are the quintessential show brass band and have been active on the New Orleans scene and internationally since 1974. The Oak Ridge Boys have been together since 1973. The legendary group became a top act in country music and then crossed over to pop with Elvira in 1981; Elvira celebrates its 30th anniversary of success this year and became the group s fourth No. 1 country hit, reached No. 5 on the pop charts, won the group a Grammy award and went on to become one of only a handful of singles ever to go double platinum.