Suzanne Karr The voice, passion and artistry of Houston, TX native Suzanne Karr have captured the attention of audiences nationwide. With the ability to effortlessly evoke emotion from stage and write songs with substance, Karr rightfully garners the title of both veteran performer and seasoned songwriter. Now, with the release of her self-titled CD, Suzanne Karr, the singer-songwriter delivers a something-for-everybody project with brilliant melodies and story-styled songs as the medium for her breakout album. Setting the stage for her solo career by fronting the well-known Texas touring band The Emotions, Karr moved to Nashville in 2002 with the intention of making her mark in the country music world. With musical influences such as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline, Karr’s blend of old and new country is best described as Country Evolution; the blending together of new, contemporary country and classic country, all while maintaining the integrity of the traditional. “I remember at a young age singing along with Dolly Parton on the radio, watching Coal Miner's Daughter about a thousand times and standing on the coffee table singing "Rhinestone Cowboy," Karr says. “Later on, Amy Grant and Whitney Houston were big influences and then of course Trisha (Yearwood) & Patty (Loveless) because of the way they can tell stories through their songs. I guess that's what makes me a country artist...I like to tell the stories, too.” With the recent release of her highly anticipated self-titled project, Karr’s infectious voice pairs beautifully with the production of Nashville’s own Rich Herring. The ten-track project features true-to-life songs that engage the listener and highlight Karr’s vocal range and ability. “The first time I heard Suzanne sing, I was hooked,” Herring says. “With her unique blend of power and emotion, she let's you know that she truly loves to sing. This is an album for the music connoisseur.” Featuring an elite line-up of some of Nashville’s top songwriters, including Phil Vassar, Annie Roboff and Monty Powell, Suzanne Karr kicks off with the catchy “Hypnotized,” followed by the touching and emotive “I Ain’t Made That Way,” co-written by Karr with Moke Cameron. The Vassar/Roboff penned “I’m Already Gone” is an instant favorite and showcases Karr’s ability to bring her multi-faceted talent and powerful performance to even the most delicate of songs. Recorded at Nashville's OMNIsound Studios (Faith Hill, Mindy Smith, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert), County Q and The Funhouse, Suzanne Karr features A-list musicians at their best, giving it that unique luster that only a Nashville born and raised record can offer. As a story-teller, performer and artist, Karr's brand of evolved country music begins through a fusion of traditional and contemporary influences, making certain along the way that the old is honorably integrated into the new. Undoubtedly poising it's name sake for much deserved attention, Suzanne Karr brings us something tangibly familiar, yet refreshingly new - a country evolution. Suzanne Karr Album Review December 2007 From the opening measure of Suzanne Karr’s self titled debut, it’s obvious: the stories we’ve heard about this girl are all true. For years, Karr has lived mostly in legend as the tiny Texas girl with an all-world voice. She has been a regular on the Nashville scene for several years, writing and working and preparing for what has turned out to be a terrific listen. This CD is filled to the brim with hook-laden melodies. From the Phil Vassar-penned ‘I’m Already Gone’ to her cover of Paul Carrack’s ‘Don’t Shed a Tear”, this major label sounding recording impresses and inspires, etching the tunes on the listener’s memory. After just one listen, I found myself humming the most memorable of these for days. Great pop recordings should do that, and this one definitely delivers. The jewel, though, on this record is the touching “I Ain’t Made That Way” a melodic and beautiful confessional of a woman who has grown weary of her hum-drum life. She daydreams about running away, but instead responds to her better angels and stays to do the right thing. Karr co-wrote this clever tale that, at least lyrically, completely defies the country songwriting formula. It is Karr’s best performance among many very good ones. It is hard not to wonder how with all of the pap that fills the country radio airwaves, it has taken so long for Suzanne Karr to break through to become a star of the highest magnitude. One can only hope that this well-produced and powerful debut changes all of that, and finally introduces this fine singer/songwriter to the world. by Dennis Welch