Out Among the Stars

The Modern Hicks' first CD is called Out Among the Stars. It was released in August 1999.

Out Among the Stars was recorded by Doug Jayne, Jackalope Recording. Mixed and Mastered by Paul White at Transformations. Label: Jackalope Records .

Here's a quick look at the songs on Out Among the Stars:

Tear My Stillhouse Down      Gillian Welch. This song has great "drive". It was written by one of our favorite songwriters, Gillian Welch, who sounds as if she just stepped off a train from deep in the Appalachians. (By the way she's from L.A.)

You Plant Your Fields      Wendy Waldman, Don Lowery. A philosophical number penned by Wendy Waldman. We don't know if Wendy's dad really said this stuff, but it sure makes a great song.

Gone, Gone, Gone     Harlan Howard. Layne and Craig kick off this song with a pass through the old fiddle tune Leather Britches. Kevin then sails into his mournful lament over a lost love. This song was a country hit for Lefty Frizzell in the early sixties.

Waiting 'Til the Coast Is Clear      Hal Ketchum, Fred Koller. This is a story of someone who is hiding from a former lover. In this song, Kevin gets to sing from the perspective of the "dumper" instead of the "dumpee".

Floods of South Dakota     William Ashford, Judy Roderick. Neither Kevin nor Gina has ever been to South Dakota, but they loved the feeling of this little known Midwestern ballad, learned from one of the wonderful Tim and Mollie O'Brien duet records.

Annabelle     Gillian Welch. Another of Gillian Welch's heart-tugging songs of life from the perspective of rural souls of the Southeast. This story tells of a single parent who struggles to make a better life for his/her child while living in poverty.

Friend of the Devil     Garcia, Dawson, Hunter. Yes, that Friend of the Devil. This is the Modern Hicks' take on that old story of taking things from those who are best ignored. Craig insists that the child does not look a thing like him!

Satan's Jewel Crown     Edgar Eden. This Louvin Brothers song has become a bluegrass mainstay in the "God fearing, lesson to be learned" department. Gina sings it as if she has learned her lesson.

Isn't that So     Jesse Winchester. Jesse Winchester wrote this great song that liberally interprets God's intentions when creating man and woman. Lots of room on this one for instrumental interpretation, too.

Love to Learn     Henry Hipkens. Word has it that Henry Hipkens, the writer of this beautiful song, is a lawyer. (Give up your day job, Henry!)

Baby Took a Limo     Guy Clark. Guy paints a great word picture, doesn't he? If you can't visualize a video to this song, you aren't even trying!

Cadillacin     Billy Jack Wills. When Bob Wills was away, his brother Billy Jack took over the reins of the Texas Playboys. Billy Jack wrote this song about love, and cars, and love and cars...This is the Texas version of Little Deuce Coupe.

That's How I Learned to Sing the Blues      Henry Hipkens. The answer to that often asked question. Another Henry Hipkens song. We hope Henry is half as good a lawyer as he is a songwriter.

Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring      Henry Hipkens. The last in our Henry Hipkens trilogy - Gina shows off her jazz singing in this swingin' philosophical number. The lyrics of this song are words to live by.

Out Among the Stars     Adam Mitchel. The best country music has always concerned itself with the difficulties of life, especially issues of work and relationships. This song connects the dots in a powerful way between a sad home life and the desperation of poverty. Sometimes the saddest song tells the deepest story.

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