"Climbing a Mountain" is Stuart McNair's third full length release, with 14 songs and almost an hour of music recorded by many of Nashville, Birmingham, and New Orleans' finest players. It's real music, Americana that draws from Stuart's Southern roots. A gumbo of Country, Bluegrass, Zydeco, and Southern Rock, "Climbing a Mountain" is packed with information, emotion, and creation. "This project was a real labor of love", says Stuart. "It involved a lot of time, a lot of blood and sweat, and a lot of help from my friends. " Good friends, indeed. Many of the musicians on this CD have played hundreds of shows with Stuart, and have formed the core of his current full band. They have been through thick and thin, and they believe in the songs. "Jason (mandolin) and I formed a bond a long time ago, and when we met Sue (fiddle), a real chemistry emerged. Add a tight rhythm section, and you've got something." But is doesn't stop there. This disc features a horn section complete with New Orleans tuba sensation Danny Rubio, and some of Birmingham and Nashville's best players on banjo, pedal steel, flute, and additional vocals. "The guests add a lot to the sound that we can't always get live, at least not all in one night. In addition, I used this opportunity to play all sorts of instruments. I played several guitars and keyboard instruments, the cajun combo of accordion, washboard, and triangle, and harmonicas through an old gritty microphone and a tube amp. I was also able to stretch out my vocal range with harmonies, and add in a few surprises and extra touches". "Climbing a Mountain" features Nashville-ready Country tunes (Somewhere in the Middle, I Didn't Know You Then), driving Rock n' Roll (Ways of Nature, Sleeping Dog), and Zydeco/New Orleans Second Line sounds (Make Levees, Not War, Freedom). It is a true melting pot, a dazzling mixture of Southern sounds, with a very modern message. The CD will keep the faces grinning and the skirts spinning. Discover your new favorite CD. The Climbing a Mountain features: Stuart McNair - acoustic and electric guitars, piano, organs, accordion, harmonicas, trumpet, washboard, triangle, and other percussion. Susan Nuckols - Fiddle Jason Bailey - Mandolin Marcus Buckner - Banjo William Barnes - Pedal Steel Chad Fisher - Trombone Danny Rubio - Tuba Mart Avant - Trumpet Gary Wheat - Sax Mollie Garrigan - Backing Vocals Sarah Green - Backing Vocals Scot Self - Backing Vocals Eddie Jenkins - Backing Vocals This CD was recorded entirely at Woodshed Studios in Tuscaloosa, AL. Engineered, co-produced, mixed, and masted by Jim Corriher. Horn arrangements by Chad Fisher. Art by Chris Stewart Photo by Claudia Leverett All songs written by Stuart McNair, Copyright 2009, ASCAP. 1. Ways of Nature 4:01 2. Somewhere in the Middle 3:34 3. Out of Your Mind 3:20 4. Hearts Don't Lie 4:34 5. Long Ride 4:58 6. Sleeping Dog 1:35 7. Love and Affection 5:15 8. Don't Drop the Bomb 3:07 9. Didn't Know You Then 5:03 10. Season of the Hurricane 3:25 11. Make Levees, Not War 4:02 12. Freedom 3:23 13. Underground Song 5:03 14. Walking with Jesus 5:08