Hurricane Ruth - Ain't Ready For The Grave (2017)

Hurricane Ruth LaMaster’s new album, Ain’t Ready for the Grave, was produced by blues great Tom Hambridge, who also played drums on the record. The album features 12 tracks. Most were penned by LaMaster, Hambridge, and Richard Fleming. One song was written by Scott Holt.

Hambridge is a two time Grammy award winning producer. He took home the Best Blues Album Grammy in 2016 for Buddy Guy’s Born to Play Guitar, and won the Best Blues Album Grammy in 2011 for Guy’s Living Proof. He has produced albums for a “Who’s Who” of artists from Guy to Susan Tedeschi, to Delbert McClinton. Hambridge has had his songs cut by Buddy Guy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, ZZ Top, Billy Ray Cyrus, B.B. King, Rascal Flatts, Johnny Winter, and many others.

“Ruth is the real deal,” Hambridge said. “She really brought the goods to the studio. We started with great songs, and have some of the best players around performing with her on her album. I had a blast producing this record, and we are expecting great things from it.”

Along with Hambridge on drums, Ain’t Ready for the Grave, features Michael Rhodes on bass, Reese Wynans on keys, Pat Buchanan and Rob McNelley on guitar. Rhodes, in addition to his work with blues great Joe Bonamassa, has recorded and performed with artists including Larry Carlton, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, and Kenny Chesney, among others. Wynans, famous for his stint in the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan’s band Double Trouble, has recorded and performed with artists including Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, and Hank Williams Jr. Buchanan, 2006 Academy of Country Music Guitar Player of the Year, has worked with artists including Travis Tritt, The Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, and Ray Davies of the Kinks. McNelley has performed and recorded with artists ranging from Delbert McClinton to Lady Antebellum.

“With Ruth’s amazing voice, a track list of fantastic songs, the skillful producing of Tom Hambridge, and the backing of some of the best players around, we think Ain’t Ready for the Grave is going to bring Ruth the attention she deserves. We, at Galaxie, are excited to help her make that happen,” Hughes said. “Her performance at The Galaxie Agency Showcase, February 2, 2017 at B.B. King’s in Memphis will offer venue owners and buyers an opportunity to see her perform live.”