Music is Philip Claypool’s life. When he’s working in anything besides music, there’s a huge music-shaped hole in his life. Luckily for his fans, this means they’ll never have to go very long without hearing fresh new material and performances from one of Country Music’s favorite artists. Once again with new hooks and melodies flowing through his veins, Claypool has just returned from the studio in Nashville loaded with new material recorded with Nashville’s top musicians and he’s ready to take the show on the road. For his new album “Come On Back Home”, Claypool wisely teamed up with multi-platinum producer Michael Lloyd. Lloyd has had immense success as a producer, accumulating more than 100 gold and platinum records and numerous number one singles and albums. Claypool and Lloyd are thrilled to be working together and their collaboration has created something special. “I’ve been a record producer for many years, and it’s been my good fortune to have been involved with many great artists and projects. It’s not often that an artist comes along who is special – but Philip Claypool is truly special”, said Lloyd. “I’m amazed by his talents, he has a unique way of touching you with his passion and emotion, and on his latest album he’s at his best.” As with his previous releases, Claypool is writer on the bulk of the album’s material and he teamed up with his pal and co-writer Jeff Silbar (“Wind Beneath My Wings”) on many of the key tracks. The project covers the gambit from modern country radio hits, stirring ballads, and honky-tonk dance tunes with Claypool’s own brand of humor. The album also features two additional cuts from top Nashville songsmiths and a stellar rendition of Eddie Arnold’s “You Don’t Know Me” that Claypool delivers with true Memphis soul. It’s been quite a journey, and on this most recent effort Claypool has definitely brought it all back home. “Come On Back Home”, the title track single and the entire album are set for release June 16th to radio and stores. To learn more about Philip Claypool and stay updated on the latest news, like him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @philipclaypool and visit his website at http://www.philipclaypool.com Come On Back Home Philip Claypool/John Swatner I conceived this song while away in Nashville during my radio station tour. On occasion I would speak to my dear friend whom I wrote “Strong One” for. She told me she was considering moving back home as things in the big city seemed to repeating the same old patterns of broken relationships and “keeping up with the Jones’”. I decided to forge the idea into a song where the guy in the story somewhat calls the girl out for her misguided aspirations, but at the same time he is calling her back home where she is still welcomed with open arms and caring hearts who are there for healing and compassion. Jerry Douglas is on the lap steel!!!! New Kind of Love Philip Claypool/Jeff Silbar I wake up often with a new song in my heart and head. One Sunday morning, I laid in bed for awhile feeling a real sense of blessing and grace in my life and thought to myself, I feel “new” in my desire and awareness of what real love is in my life and where it comes from. So carrying the melody the rest of the day in my head, I wrote an initial version that afternoon on the porch. I never recorded it, as it felt a bit unfinished and repetitive in concept. So, again I showed it to my pal Jeff Silbar during our sessions and he and I beat each other up over the lyric until we got it just right. I absolutely love the guitar riff too! Strong One Philip Claypool/ Jeff SIlbar I was working with Jeff Silbar on “Three More Beers”. When we finished, we laughed and had a whiskey or two - and I headed home after a long day. I stopped at a pal’s restaurant and upon seeing me he said, “Claypool you look like you could use a strong one” and went back behind the bar to make me one. As I sat there, I thought of what others and I really need sometimes…a strong one. A friend we can count on… There is someone dear to me (who remains a muse in my life to this very day). She was going through a tough period and I wanted to write something that would be an anthem to inspire faith, will, resilience and passion. When I got to Jeff’s house the next day he loved the idea and we wrote and recorded the song by late afternoon. It’s my favorite song. Three More Beers Philip Claypool/Jeff Silbar Let it be said again, that I am not afraid to have a little fun now and then with my lyrics. I was at friend’s house one day and their cousin was talking about his date from the night before. He could only say one thing about the evening and that was “three more beers and she’d have been Brittany Spears”. I fell out laughing and carried that title around forever, sometimes making up a funny song on the cuff at parties and such. I finally had a preliminary version I showed to Jeff Silbar. So again, over lots of laughter and painstaking work, this masterpiece is finally available for public consumption! It is a great one on the dance floor too! Way Out There Billy Montana/Brian Maher/Diana Maher/Randy Montana I was fortunate to have a number of people in my life, during the recording process, that influenced my choices of songs and performances. There was and continues to be that certain muse that has inspired me in many ways throughout this CD - and yes, “She’s Way Out There”. When I heard the song I knew I had to do it, and I think it really complements what I love in people. It’s the sense of wonder and freedom that takes us along for the ride, bumps and all. I think it brings a very special moment to the CD and I am grateful again to the writer’s of the song for allowing me to record it. Where’s the muse you ask? She’s somewhere “way out there”. God’s Very Best Philip Claypool/Jeff Silbar In this song I simply wanted to honor the amazing character of a woman and give the best compliment to a lady I know how to give. I’m Gonna Lie Gary Hannon/Ira Dean/Aaron Baker As my recording dates were getting confirmed, I decided to head out to Nashville to try a few co-writes and listen to some tunes by some great Nashville writers. My friend Melanie Howard was kind enough to hook me up for a listening session with publishing companies run by ladies who called themselves “Chicks with Hits”. They must have played me 100 songs that day and when “I’m Gonna Lie” came on I knew it would be a great fit for the project with its cool guitar riff, energy and sense of humor. My band just smoked it in the studio and it will be a monster for my live shows, too. God You Were Good Philip Claypool/Jeff Silbar Ok, don’t hate me for this but one Sunday at my church, the pastor asked me if I had written any new spiritual songs. Being the smartass I can be, I said, “Why I was working on one this morning and its called “God You Were Good Last Night”! I was immediately directed to the very first pew, where I couldn’t help but think what a great title it was. I showed my first draft idea to Jeff Silbar and we wrote and laughed the day away and walked out with a fun loving song. By the way, be aware the story is about a really cool married couple. Write You A Diamond Philip Claypool/ Billy Montana/ Jeff Silbar I was seeing a wonderful lady friend, but I thought my beer budget might not be enough to show how I really cared!. So one night in Nashville I dreamed up this title wrote it on a piece of paper by my bed. Next day I met with writer Billy Montana and we worked on a lyric and melody. Later, when Jeff Silbar and I looked at it, we reworked it to bring clarity to the message. It may not a big yellow 4-carat but I think it sure is a pretty song. Jack Daniel and Mr. Jim Beam Philip Claypool My family was driving from Memphis to Atlanta for my sister’s wedding. My dad, who never thought much of my desire to pursue music, suddenly turned around as we passed the Lynchburg Tenn. exit on the expressway and said, “Philip why don’t you write a song about Jack Daniel and Jim Beam hanging out together. How could I say no to my dad? So, as I working my loading dock job one night shift I wrote the song. It has become a favorite in my live shows. It felt like magic in the studio…I sang it one time live with the band and we decided to “keep the hood down” and not touch it. ”Feels just like a porch swing to me” You Don’t Know Me Eddie Arnold At the end of our recording session in Nashville, the band and I had some session time left so my producer said, “pick a tune and we’ll throw a chart together and do it”. Next thing you know, I am in the vocal booth and we ran half the song and my producer slowed it down a touch. When we finished this one take (and yes, in my mind I sang to my muse once again), Ed Seay my engineer called me in and said “Claypool you are one singing #$%^! I heard the playback and was without words. It was the culmination of a great session! Ray Charles “Modern Sounds of Country Music” remains one of my favorite albums.