New Artist Spotlight on Zane Lewis

5/1/2008 Bob Doerschuk Texas roots feed the wide-open textures, swaggering beat and rugged baritone vocals of Zane Lewis' self-titled, nationally-released debut album. Though it sounds like he was born with a rowdy song in his heart, he didn't strum his first chord until he got to Texas Tech in Lubbock, while earning an advertising degree on a diet of "Blue Spoon" margaritas and Dr Peppers and singing the best of Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard and George Strait whenever he hit the shower. Lewis narrowly dodged a career in journalism, going so far as to join with a partner in launching Western & English Today, a magazine for equestrians. Luckily for lovers of raw-boned rockin' Country, after having his first taste of performing in 2000, at the Garland Opry in Texas, he shut down his laptop, tuned up his guitar, sold the publication and invested his earnings into This Town, which he self-released throughout Texas in 2006. With LeAnn Rimes' road band providing the backup, this album whipped up a Lone Star storm that blew Lewis directly to his deal with Slant Records. Co-produced by Brett James and Lex Lipsitz, Zane Lewis includes two tunes co-written by Lewis, a hymn to the traveling life ("Fly") and a low-down, fiddle-sawed foot stomper whose title could function as his calling card ("Bad Ass Country Band"). His personality rings loud and clear on every song, which he delivers with a sound that mirrors myriad influences, from Brooks to Lynyrd Skynyrd and all the way back to his father's fiddle playing and beyond, through five generations of Lewis family history in Texas. Lewis achieves an especially appealing blend of bravado and sensitivity on the album's first single, "Come with Me," whose simple invitation to "hang out" promises a world of adventure and romantic possibility IN HIS OWN WORDS MUSICAL BACKGROUND OR FIRST START IN MUSIC "My first live performance was at the acclaimed Garland Opry in Garland, Texas, in the summer of 2000. The Texas Opry circuit is a terrific training ground for new singers.  I learned how to feel comfortable with audiences at the Garland Opry, which is where LeAnn Rimes got her start.  I was one of their regular guests, and I hosted on several occasions.  It wasn't until 2003 that I rounded up my first band and hit the Texas bars and dancehalls to promote my first self-produced album, This Town." MUSICAL HERO "Hands down, Waylon Jennings." INFLUENCES "I grew up listening to my dad play western swing on his fiddle. But it was his 8-tracks of Waylon and the Eagles that hooked me. Merle Haggard, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Elvis, Charlie Daniels, U2, Van Halen and Lynyrd Skynyrd all influenced me in many ways." DREAM DUET PARTNER "Merle Haggard." HOMETOWN "I was born in Lubbock, Texas, raised in Round Rock and now live in Allen." CD ON YOUR STEREO "Jack Ingram's 'Electric.' A 2002 release, but it still sits in my regular rotation with the new ones. I've been wearing out George Strait's 'It Just Comes Natural,' too." PET PEEVE "People who can't drive, which is pretty much anyone who's in front of me!" MODE OF TRANSPORTATION YOU PREFER "Driving when it comes to travel. You see more of the country and it's a great opportunity to free your mind up to think." SONG YOU WISH YOU'D WRITTEN "'Believe.' The song has incredibly powerful words. I get goose bumps every time I hear the emotion in Ronnie Dunn's vocals." MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE YOU'D RELIVE IF YOU COULD "The whole enchilada. I've loved every minute of it." TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY "Determined - and Too Ignorant to Know Any Better." WHAT YOU HOPE PEOPLE SAY, LOOKING BACK ON YOUR LIFE IN 50 YEARS "Encore!" ACTOR TO PORTRAY YOU IN YOUR BIOPIC   "If it's an ill-fated attempt to project my life as 'cool' it would be Brad Pitt. Otherwise, Will Ferrell's probably the best man for the job. I smell an Oscar!"   On the Web: www.zanelewismusic.com