"As tall a Texan troubadour as Guy Clark or Joe Ely, the Kentucky-born Rhody employs deceptively simple techniques — acoustic guitar and rack harmonica — to keep the songwriting front and centre, his able voice ringing with just enough emotion to make an essential connection. Co-writes with Tom Russell (the exceptional "Ten Cent Lemonade") and Tim Krekel ("Backstroke Up Mainstreet") prove memorable, as covers by Dylan, Kristofferson and Paul Siebel illustrate his personal control over anybody's material. Siebel's "Louise" enjoys an element of swing in Rhody's care, underlining his subtle skill with what might appear at first a simple song, but it's the strongest selection on this, his eighth release." --Eric Thom, Exclaim.ca Alan Rhody is one of today's more effective and respected solo acoustic artists in that great expanse known as the singer-songwriter. "Boxcars Of Memories", the latest of his eight album releases, showcases his "pull you in" story telling, his uncommon honesty and poetic tenderness, as well as his deepseeded kick-out-the-jams side. His emotive guitar playing and wise and rugged vocals also demonstrate why this collection is destined to further validate his already solid reputation. Whether singing the disc's six new originals (including a co-write with Tom Russell) or the four covers by Paul Siebel, Bob Dylan, Freddie Pompeii and Kris Kristofferson, his singing, playing and message all shine. In the Kentucky native's thirty-year career, he's played virtually every kind of venue, be it festival, listening room, concert hall, night club or workshop. Rhody or his music have also been featured on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered as well as CBC and CTV Networks in Canada, AAA, Americana and satellite radio. After an eight-year Canadian residency, plenty of road work and two singles on London Records he returned to the U.S. in 1977 and settled in Nashville. His original songs were immediately picked up by other artists in country, folk, and bluegrass as he continued to travel and perform. He put out his own debut album, Stop The Rain in 1981, introducing his music to new audiences across Canada and the southeastern and midwestern U.S. Other albums of originals followed and in 2003 his Journey which features guests, John Prine, the late John Hartford and Irish songbird, Maura O'Connell drew great critical acclaim, introducing his music to a wider audience. Though Rhody quickly established himself in Nashville for his songwriting (Kevin Welch, Oak Ridge Boys, Del McCoury, Lorrie Morgan, George Jones, etc.) by the late eighties he returned to his folk roots concentrating on solo touring and writing on a more personal level. A New Folk finalist at The Kerrville Folk Festival in 1993, he has since been a mainstage performer numerous times and a member of their songwriting faculty as well. Other festivals in recent years have included the The Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Summer Folk, Live From The Rock Folk & Blues Festival, The Kentucky Folk Festival, The Shelter Valley Folk Festival, Kentucky Homefront and The Trout Forest Music Festival. "This album creates a gripping atmosphere where the listener feels like they are within an Alan Rhody performance. Each song exemplifies the Rhody trade- mark : a seamless mix of grit and softness with engaging lyrics and striking melodies." --Louisville Excentric Observer INTERESTED IN HOUSE CONCERTS? JUST ASK ALAN AT :alan@alanrhody.com “Always solid, tough, trim and clear as a bell. He is consistently head and shoulders above the pack.” --Kevin Welch