Big Sandy Singers honor artists of US23 with the release of their new album this Tuesday in Prestonsburg

The Big Sandy Singers, the elite, auditioned, student singing ensemble from Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC), will be releasing their 7th album, US23, at an Album Release Showcase this Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 PM, in Gearheart Auditorium on the first floor of the Pike Building on Big Sandys Prestonsburg Campus; an event coordinated by the Big Sandy Community and Technical College Music Dept. in conjunction with the BSCTC Presidents office.

Tickets are $6 each (available at the door), and the Little Sandy Singers (a junior group of the Big Sandy Singers) will open the show.

The Big Sandy Singers are directed by BSCTC Assistant Professor and Kentucky Opry veteran member Laura Ford Hall, with Timothy Cooley - album producer and technical director, as well as Clayton Case, assistant director. Auditions are held for the group annually and are open to BSCTC students or MSU at BSCTC students. The singers who are chosen receive a $2,500.00 scholarship to attend the school as well as in-studio recording experience.

We are so very excited about releasing this album, Hall said. This truly is a dream come true for the students. We have been so blessed by God to have received such wonderful support from our President George Edwards who has been involved in the making of the album and the decision making process. Without his vision and support of the music program this would have not been possible.

Hall also thanked BSCTC Provost Dr. Nancy Johnson.

The recording process began in October. We thought it was a great concept, added Hall. To have our students who live on US23 record songs by artists from their own counties along the US23 Highway.

The album features these 20 songs, each sung by the Big Sandy Singers: Dancin in Gods Country (original artist Rebecca Lynn Howard) by the full ensemble, Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Dwight Yokam) by Dustin Newsome, Im No Stranger to the Rain (Keith Whitley) by Andrew Hiner Dont It Make My Brown Eyes Blue (Crystal Gayle) by Sarah Adams, I Try to Think About Elvis (Patty Loveless) by Kandyce Hannah, You Aint Woman Enough (Loretta Lynn) by Rachael Hayes, Miami, My Amy (Keith Whitley) by Ryan Shepherd, Flies on the Butter (Wynonna Judd) by Ashley Taylor, Something in My Heart (Ricky Skaggs) by Ryan Shepherd, Brad Lafferty and Brandon Lafferty, Fast as You (Dwight Yokam) by Johnny Bryant, Talking in Your Sleep (Crystal Gayle) Emily Mills, Back to Tennessee (Billy Ray Cyrus) Brandon Lafferty, When You Say Nothing at All (Keith Whitley) by Charles Martin Mims, Dont Close Your Eyes (Keith Whitley) by Clayton Case, Forgive (Rebecca Lynn Howard) by Laura Ford Hall, Love Can Build a Bridge (The Judds) by the full ensemble, Some Gave All (Billy Ray Cyrus) by the full ensemble. There are also three bonus tracks on the albums that are sung by the full ensemble: Colder Weather (Zac Brown Band) feat. Mims, Free (Zac Brown Band) feat. Hiner and Ford-Hall, The Longest Time (Billy Joel) feat. Ryan Shepherd and Brandon Lafferty.

During the Album Release Showcase, the Big Sandy Singers will treat the audience members with a live performance of the album. In addition, the Singers will be signing autographs, and the album will be available to those who donate $10.00 or more to the BSCTC Music and Drama program.

If you cannot be at the event, you can order the album online on our secure, trusted site at www.bigsandysingers.com for $12.00.

The Big Sandy Singers are also available to sing for community and civic events. For information on booking, contact Laura Ford Hall at (606) 889-4764.

The Big Sandy Singers are sponsored by Premiere Sponsor Gearheart Communications at Harold. We could not do this without the help of Gearheart Communications and encourage everyone to use their services. The group is also sponsored by Gold Sponsor Jennifer Reynolds State Farm Insurance at Weddington Square, Pikeville.

CUT-LINE/CAPTION FOR PHOTO : The Big Sandy Singers, from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, will release a new album Tues. in BSCTCs Gearheart Auditorium, Pike Building Prestonsburg Campus at 6:30 PM. The album, US23 will feature covers of artists from the US23 area. Pictured are the Singers: (From Left) Charles Martin Mims, Clayton Case, Ryan Shepherd, Kandyce Hannah (seated), Ashley Taylor, Emily Mills, Brandon Lafferty, Laura Ford Hall, Brandon Lafferty, Rachael Hayes (seated), Sarah Adams, Andrew Hiner, Dustin Newsome, and Johnny Bryant.