In the picture: Scott Hardin, Curry Weber, Lauren Jane Sanders, and Shea Hardin.

Memphis-born Lauren Jane Sanders has been in Studio A this week with engineers Curry Weber and Scott Hardin. Lauren started this project with Curry and Scott about 3 years ago, but has since moved to China to teach, model, write and recover from a vocal chord surgery. We're happy to say that she's back in Memphis tracking 5 new songs, which will amount to the first half of her new record.

This week on the Ardent Sessions we feature the soaring, lush melodies of Farewell Flight. These guys have been touring DIY style for the last year and just released their debut album, Sound. Color. Motion., on their own label. Check their tour dates to catch them in a city near you this fall.

Farewell Flight Live Dates

Nov 7 2008 The Powerhouse Columbia, MD
Nov 9 2008 The Whiskey Annapolis, MD
Nov 13 2008 3rd & Lindsley w/ Lorien Nashville, TN
Nov 15 2008 Bellarmine University (Horrigan Hall) Louisville, KY
Nov 17 2008 The Modern Exchange Southgate, MI
Nov 18 2008 The Crofoot (Vernors Room) Pontiac, MI
Nov 19 2008 Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI
Nov 20 2008 Skelletones Grand Rapids, MI
Nov 21 2008 Johnson Hall Muskegon, MI
Nov 22 2008 Dino’s Rock Room Kalamazoo, MI
Nov 23 2008 Musica (all ages) Akron, OH
Nov 25 2008 The Warehouse (ROCC) Carmel, IN
Nov 26 2008 Molly Malone’s Covington, KY
Nov 28 2008 Buccaneer Lounge Memphis, TN
Nov 29 2008 West Jackson Street Baptist Church Tupelo, MS
Nov 30 2008 The Warehouse East Ridge, TN
Dec 2 2008 Caledonia Lounge (18+) Athens, GA
Dec 3 2008 The New Brookland Tavern West Columbia, SC
Dec 4 2008 Tremont Music Hall Charlotte, NC
Dec 5 2008 Club Relevant Virginia Beach, VA
Dec 10 2008 Messiah College Grantham, PA
Dec 13 2008 The Annex (21+) New York, NY

Native son Nick Pagliari stopped by Ardent Studios in Memphis recently to share a few acoustic gems for our new show Ardent Presents, many from his brand new album Please and Thank You, which we always say down here in the south. Don't miss this very special performance and check out his new album to here the songs in their full glory!!

00:00 Ardent Presents Intro
00:34 Magazines
04:48 The Union Infantry
09:47 Carl's Revenge
14:40 Don't Want to Die Lonely
19:10 Play That Rock and Roll Loud
22:58 Carolina Skies
26:27 Interview with Nick Pagliari

Recorded and Mixed by Alan Bircham
Mastered by Kevin Nix

Nick Pagliari Live Dates

Nov 7 2008 Montreat College Montreat, NC
Nov 10 2008 APCA Conference Coralville, IA
Nov 13 2008 Orpheum Theater Flagstaff, AZ
Nov 16 2008 Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, CA
Dec 2 2008 Brevard College Brevard, NC
Jan 8 2009 Palmetto Acoustic Series @ Muddy Waters Coffee Bar Charleston, SC

Memphis, TN –Memphis bands who intend to apply for the International Folk Alliance Conference can save a few bucks by visiting the Memphis Music Resource Center. The Memphis Music Foundation will offer half-priced band registration to acts who visit the Resource Center on Wednesday, November 12. Bands can also express their interest in being part of the Foundation’s official Memphis music showcase that will take place during the conference.

Who: Memphis Bands

What: Half-priced band registration for the 2009 International

Folk Alliance Conference

When: November 12, 2008 from 8:00am - 9:00pm

Where: Memphis Music Resource Center, 431 South Main Street, Ste. 201

Scheduled February 18-22 at the Marriot Hotel in Memphis, the 21st Annual International Folk Alliance Conference consists of four days of industry workshops, panels, exhibits, showcases, and outreach concerts for members of the international folk music and dance community. Memphis music and music businesses will be showcased at the 2009 conference through the Memphis Music Foundation. The Foundation’s Memphis Means Music presence will include an official Memphis music showcase, VIP Party and exhibition space to promote the local music industry. The strategy is part of the Memphis Music Foundation’s Ambassador program, which takes Memphis talent to major entertainment industry events to advance Memphis music and position the city as an independent music center.

The Memphis Music Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to working with the community to cultivate a viable, economic engine for Memphis by providing musicians and the music industry with resources and opportunities for growth and independence. The Foundation‘s anchor program, the Music Resource Center is an interactive, living library that offers a dedicated staff, tools and resources to help area musicians and music professionals be successful in the business of music. The Foundation is funded, in part, by public and private funds provided through Memphis Fast Forward, a plan for economic growth and prosperity in Memphis and Shelby County. The Foundation is a part of the Memphis Economic Development (MemphisED) Plan, designed to ensure that Memphis/Shelby County has a strong and diverse economy. MemphisED is part of a broader growth initiative called Memphis Fast Forward, which also includes programs advancing workforce/education, public safety, and government efficiency.

Leon Russell with studio owner/founder John Fry.

Leon Russell surprised us with a visit this week. He and John Fry (Ardent's founding father) took a walk around the studios and reminisced about some of the work they had done together in the early 70s. Freddie King was one of the topics of conversation. King, Russell and Fry all worked together on Freddie's Texas Cannonball and Woman Across The River. The latter sessions included Jim Keltner and Carl Radle as the rhythm section and both were for Russell's Shelter label. When Russell confided in King that he was having trouble with his live band at the time, King told him that he replaced his every six months whether he needed to or not.

Other Shelter projects they worked on together include Russell's solo albums Leon Live and Hank Wilson's Back as well as Willis Alan Ramsey's one and only self titled LP release in 1972.

This song was recorded for Guitar Hero right here at Ardent Studios.

Ardent Presents - John Elliott - "Eulogy"

This week on the Ardent Sessions we catch up with two southern bands on the verge of making it big. Austin's Oh No Oh My and Knoxville's Royal Bangs landed in Memphis recently to play a charity event together and we were lucky enough to have them each come by and play a set for us! Oh No Oh My are currently touring Europe and have a brand new EP out and Royal Bangs spent the past weekend playing CMJ!

00:00 Intro
01:08 Our Mouths were Wet (Oh No Oh My)
05:56 Farewell to all My Friends (Oh No Oh My)
10:17 Walk in the Park (Oh No Oh My)
13:15 Be A Star (Oh No Oh My)
16:49 Wham Bam, Thank You Spaceman (Oh No Oh My)
20:50 A Pirate's Anthem (Oh No Oh My)
25:04 Go to Work (Oh No Oh My)
28:32 New Scissors (Royal Bangs)
32:23 Shit Christmas (Royal Bangs)
37:41 Maniverse (Royal Bangs)
41:17 Let's Get Even (Royal Bangs)
46:30 Who Am Kong (Royal Bangs)
50:20 Handcuff Killa (Royal Bangs)

MF: What is your title as it pertains to the "mainstream" Ardent Music label?
JS: A&R rep

MF: How do you think people (both the public and music critics) will judge what you put out on Ardent Music in the future against both the rich history of Ardent's past and Ardent Records' more recent success in the Christian music world?
JS: Music critics see things and make observations based on many different angles...the music itself, players history, label history...to add depth to a story. I think the average listener hears a song and it either connects or it doesn't. For me, there can be a pretty impressive history and story associated with a piece of music but the bottom line is ...does the song make some emotional connection? Not too different from how we respond to food..are we crazy about it and can't get enough of it, is it pretty good, ok? Or don't think I'll try that again. All the peripheral stuff doesn't really matter.

MF: As far as signing other artists in the future is concerned- are you looking locally, regionally, and/or nationally? Is there any other artist that you're looking at that you could tell me about?
JS: The band/artist personalities and music connecting with those here at the label are the primary factors in our deciding to work with a band. The economics of a long distance relationship will play a role as well.

MF: What does the future hold for Ardent (this could include any label or studio projects)?
JS: With regard to the studio, Jason Latshaw is currently working with an incredible 3 piece rock band called Super 400. They are all great players that benefit from a "traditional" studio like Ardent as the space allows them to set up as a band, have eye contact and inspire each other as they play. John Hampton is just beginning a mix project with Chikuzen, a pretty cool Japanese pop R&B artist. As music taste turn back toward "performance driven" players I think studios like Ardent will benefit.

As for the label, finding the right artist that both connects with us, makes economic sense, and most of all, connects with enough people (sales) so that we all can continue doing this is challenging. We will see how our taste line up with the general public's.