In no particular order....Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty, Lori McKenna, Darrell Scott, Julie Miller, The Indigo Girls, Patty Griffin, Eva Cassidy, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Hem, Neil Young, David Wilcox, Dave Matthews, Radiohead, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Simon and Garfunkel, Kathleen Edwards
When Rhett and Jill McAllister started writing songs together about three years ago, they introduced their audience to a timeless, soulful sound....riding the thin line that divides the mainstream from the eclectic. Using their harmonies, evocative lyrics, and a bare-bones sincere presentation, Arlington Priest stand with their roots planted firmly in contemporary folk, while swaggering through a glorious mixture of acoustic rock, alt-country, and pop to land squarely in the fields of Americana.
With music that is bittersweet, heartbreaking and ever evolving, Jill's voice evokes ghosts of 60's female singer songwriters - strong yet vulnerable - capable of belting it out or quietly crooning to a whisper, without losing its emotive force. Rhett's guitar and vocals are resonating and grounding, bringing to mind the warmth of a blanket wrapping around you on a cold stormy night. Onstage, in between bouts of beautifully constructed songwriting, their playful relationship shines through. Rhett's dark, quiet sarcasm is the perfect match to Jills silly and crass sense of humor. Its like seeing Basil Fawlty and Bette Midlers Bath House Betty affectionately duking it out in front of you.
Having established themselves as a talented powerhouse in Atlanta and all over the Southeast, Arlington Priest is readying themselves for the release of their first studio album, The Memory of Your Company. After three years of touring and recording, trying to put down ideas onto tape with various producers, Rhett and Jill finally found the musical solace and cooperation they had been looking for in Will Robertson, the groups session/live bass player. With a good dose of helpful arranging from Robertson, Arlington Priest is establishing their identity in the territory of Americana. Rich with imaginative tales, longing and heartbreak, its sure to capture your imagination, as it has theirs.
Hey guys! Your Christmas song is beautiful! You are such wonderful singers with gorgeous harmonies! I am so happy for your success in music, and I know you are excited about having your first child!
I reviewed your record in Southeast Performer! remember me!? As of today, the Southeast Performer is going under due to hard economic times, I hate that!
I hope to see one of your shows soon, and please hear my songs on my page and write me, tell me what you think! I'm still working on harmonies.......
thanks for writing such great music, so we are all inspired, Merry Christmas!
just got back from the rock boat and bummed i'm not doing cayamo as well. it's gonna rock. be prepared to jam if you wanna keep up with the "boat people" who jumped ship! :)