Collin Raye performs in studio a track called 'Only Jesus' from his new album Never Going Back

COLLIN RAYE
GALVANIZES THE ERA OF THE
ROCK N ROLL N COUNTRY MUSICIAN
ON
NEVER GOING BACK

Due April 28th
(Time Life)

Fairfax, VA (February 11, 2009) --- The irony of naming his new album Never Going Back isnt lost on Collin Raye. His new songs may subtly recall the great, organic music of a bygone era but instead of stepping back in time he pulls the sound right up into the future. At a time when pop hits are built by teams of master songwriters and musicians, Never Going Back (released April 28th on Time Life) is a welcome return to the art of the artist.

Mixing up the laid back rock and folk of mid-seventies Southern California with country and rock n roll, Raye creates a sophisticated and diverse album for the music fan who cheered when The Eagles won a country music Grammy. Never Going Back evokes the spirit of the day when an artist could record an album and perform it just as it sounds in a smoky club or on a stadium stage. No dancers, no pyrotechnics, no backing tracks and overdubs, just great songs by a great artist. Before this, Id never done an album where Ive wanted to immediately go out and perform the whole thing, explains Raye. Recorded in Alabamas historic Muscle Shoals, the album feels guided by the ghosts of the country, rock, blues and pop albums that the region cultivated throughout the 70s.

From the roaring, feel-good romp of Mid Life Chrysler to the powerful reworking of Without You, a duet with Grammy nominee Susan Ashton, Never Going Back bears another trademark of the LP years; a great listen from start to finish. While every tune is as finely crafted as the next, one song, in particular, remains unforgettable. The intensely personal Shes With Me, written by Raye for his severely neurologically ill granddaughter, is a poignant song of unconditional love.

This is the album Ive always wanted to do, says Raye, a weighty statement from the man who has four #1 Billboard country singles, 21 Top 10, four platinum albums, three AC hits, several CMA and ACM nominations and years of sold out tours already under his belt. And true to his word, hell head out on tour right as Never Going Back is released, ready to play every single track onstage each night.

• Category

  Music

[Tim Fergel]

Colin Raye is USDA 100% COOL!!

[TimeLife]

- Thanks for the comment. Coin is a very cool guy. Great artist with terrific songs. It makes listening to the album an even better experience knowing he is such a nice guy.

[customkitt1]

Can anyone make out the chords they are using? I can make out the (E) and (Am)

I just ain't up on bar chords.

Fantastic Song.

Boy is it speaking to me, me and my short fuse. This song definitly gives the encouragement to try harder.

[TimeLife]

Not sure. I seem to remember they were Gibsons. I will have to find out for you.

[musicladyelaine]

Gotta love Bubba...he really knows how to put his heart and soul into a song.

[lullabyjen]

What a way to say it! What a way to be!  What a way to make us all think!

Hats off to M.A. Curtis and Collin Raye!