In southeastern North Carolina lies the Cape Fear Delta. Billy Roy is a songwriter from Wilmington, which is in the heart of the Delta region. His CD, "The Cape Fear Delta Sessions", showcases his songwriting abilities and exposes the the world to Cape Fear Delta music. Some of the best of the Delta musicians lent Billy a hand in making this CD. Bobby Britt, Open Road - Fiddle John Collins - Lead Electric Guitar Tim Corey, Blues Jam - Mississippi Saxophone John Korrel, Jam Sandwich - Percussion, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backup Vocals Chuck "Coyote" Larson, Solo Recording Artist - Guitar, Harmonica, Backup Vocals Jason Schroer, Jam Sandwich - Blues Harp Steven Vactor - Backup Vocals The CD was recorded and mixed at Swampworks Studio in Wilmington, North Carolina. Produced by Billy Roy and John Korrel encore Magazine December 21, 2005 by Ben Brown For the first time since I began writing for "encore", I was approached by a local who longed for an opinion on his music. An older gentleman, named Billy Roy, handed me a copy of his newly finished disc, "The Cape Fear Delta Sessions", and hung out for a minute to chat. He explained he was relatively new at songwriting and hasn't completely grasped the norms, tricks or what-have-you of recording and releasing your own music. This actually excited me. In one of the best lessons I've ever read, Frank Herbert wrote that an expert is the worst person to offer ideas; the expert will see everything through his/her own trained lens. An outsider can step back with fresh eyes and offer a different, and perhaps better, perspective. Maybe Billy Roy is doing something that has more charm than any certified tech musician out there. I hit play and immediately smiled. Roy is no Julliard vocalist. In fact, he's barely acknowledging that there are even any proper notes to sing that correspond with the music. I love it. Roy's delivery is far more appealing than any schooled singer, because there's complete honesty here, and it paints a visual of his lazy, yet dead-on delivery. When his lyrics imply a satirical mood, you get the picture right away and laugh along. When he's singing from a more tender part of the mind, the vibe is caught and you feel for the guy. My favorite lines are in the song "21st Century American Farmer", which contrasts the classic sense of Americana from the futuristic gadgetry that seems to have beamed its way into even the most rural farms: "Well, I got my degree from LSU/In quantum physics in double-o-two/When I plant a seed, I square the root/When I get home, I dust my boots". It's the kind of stuff I like to hear nowadays. Roy's music makes a fine point here and there but doesn't kill the mood by being overly serious. The first artist comparison I thought of while listening to the disc was Townes Van Zandt, and that one's sticking. Those who enjoy his song craft are going to find something to smile about with the music of Billy Roy. Thanks to him for having the courage to hand over his creation to a guy that could have easily beheaded its worth. To secure your own copy, visit him on the web: www.billyroy.com