"It Don't Mean A Thang If It Ain't Got That Twang!" Charlie Ray is a songwriter, guitarist and singer -- raised on Rock & Roll, but knocked sideways by the music of Steve Earle and Dwight Yoakam and kicked over the alt-country cliff for good by hearing Gram Parsons. If you're a big fan of Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift or Kenny Chesney, you have definitely stumbled onto the wrong page. But if you prefer your country a lot less slick, and a little less good-looking, read on. Charlie is a long-time radio veteran, currently on-air at K-FROG Country, 95.1 in San Bernardino, California. First and foremost a songwriter, he's a storyteller who's been around long enough to know a good tale when he hears one. He currently has more than 100 songs to his credit . . . and a few that aren't a credit to anyone. Linda Washington is a schoolteacher, a gifted singer and a willing partner in crime. She has a crystal-clear alto voice, Emmylou's gift for harmony, Patsy's way with a lyric and -- fortunately for Charlie -- Tonto's sense of loyalty. Together they perform regularly in Southern California, especially in the High Desert area that they both call home. On any given night you can find them singing sad country songs in sweet harmony, with voices that seem to say . . . "Buy this CD. Now". ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suburban Legend is the second album by Charlie Ray & Linda Washington. Here's quick run-down of the tracks, by Charlie: SEVEN DEADLY SINS: An uptempo country-rocker. The chord riff is based on (OK, stolen from) the Flying Burrito Brothers' "Christine's Tune (Devil In Disguise)" THESE FOUR WALLS: Co-written with John Gibbons, and featuring some gorgeous steel guitar work by Ron Epperson. A romantic tune with a "Garden Party" feel. Written for my wife and our wedding anniversary. 18 MILES FROM HER MEMORY: An uptempo country-rocker, it's a lost-love story song -- with a little twist in the final verse . . . UNSAFE HEART: A traditional country weeper, composed in one sitting at 2AM. Sometimes there's just no sleeping until you get 'em out. DANCE WITH THE DEVIL: The music and the chorus lyrics are mine, but the verses are a poem by Bonnie Parker of Bonnie & Clyde fame. When she wasn't killing people she wrote poetry. Nice girl. LET IT BE ME: The classic Everly Brothers tune, featuring fine harmony work from Linda, and some tasty steel guitar. The only cover tune, this is a staple of our live performances. ROSES IN THE FIRE: A moody country rocker, and a cheatin' song too. The lyrics were inspired by Gram Parsons' version of "We'll Sweep Out The Ashes". SUBURBAN COWBOY: A pop-country stomper written one January afternoon on the back patio with a buddy, Dexter Carlson. Dex handles all the vocals on the track. LET'S TALK ABOUT US. Linda solos on this tongue-in-cheek "bimbo-in-a-bar" tune. It's last call for alcohol . . . and you're buying, Big-boy. MY FAVORITE WORD FOR BROKEN HEART (IS YOU): Inspired by an evening listening to Dwight Yoakam. I could hear him singing it in my head when I wrote it. And if I could hear him sing it on the radio I'd be in much better financial shape. WAYWARD ANGEL: My favorite track on the album -- three-part harmony; a bittersweet, nostalgic lyric, and a beautiful organ track by Dave Zierenberg. Sometimes everything just falls into place. Sometimes. AN ANGEL GRIEVES AGAIN: My tribute to Gram Parsons. GP fans should catch references to his band, two albums titles and other Gram-a-bilia hidden in the lyric. Written after a trip to Joshua Tree, CA. And my first attempt at playing lap-steel.