"CLETUS GOT SHOT: Don't worry. No one got hurt. It was just a shot full of energy. This bunch of musicians is full of fun and groovy tunes. They are one of the best acts in Fayetteville and should be watched with a mimosa in hand....or a shot of whiskey! Bring your dancing shoes and join them on the patio for a fantastic morning." - Bernice Hembree of Three Penny Acre, Jammin' Java Weekly Newsletter
"...red-hot up and comers." - Fayetteville's Free Weekly
"I recently got to hear Cletus Got Shot down at The Pied Piper’s Cathouse Lounge. What a bunch of fun these guys are! The guitar player, Adam Cox, was formerly the drummer in a punk band and is married to Nathan Miller’s (the band’s awesome mandolin player) cousin. Bassist Mark Landry dances that upright around like a plus-sized girlfriend. Richard Hartrick’s precise and fiery fiddle playing comes off like an aerobic workout. The Cathouse crowd ate them up! Most of their material is original, but they caused an uproar of laughter and shouts of approval with their cover of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Cletus Got Shot formed in Fayetteville in January of 2008 and have gained quite a following around Eureka playing at The Rowdy Beaver, New Delhi, and the Cathouse. They are laying off the bars for a while to devote their time to their self-titled CD rumored to release in the Spring."
-Karen FitzPatrick, Nightflying: The Entertainment Guide
"Listen Here First — Cletus Got Shot: A long time coming:
"It was only a matter of time before local alternative bluegrass band Cletus Got Shot released its first CD. Having formed in the fall of 2007, the band waited until this past January to lay down a collection of tracks.
In the middle of that time period, though, they played countless live performances throughout the region. The group, which recently was nominated for three Northwest Arkansas Music Awards, started performing on street corners in Fayetteville and eventually gained a name for themselves in area live music venues. Each show represented another opportunity to fine tune their songs before stepping into the studio."
-Steve Schmidt, Tuned In, an NWANews Blog You can read the rest here
"
No. 1 with a bullet: Local alternative bluegrass band releases first album"
Talented? Sure. Resourceful? Most definitely.
The band members of Cletus Got Shot did not start with much in the fall of 2007 when they played acoustic sets on Tuesday nights at Maxine's Tap Room in Fayetteville.
They had the ability to play a large venue, but not the equipment to share their alternative form of bluegrass and hill country music.
So they took their music to the city's streets, going to such places as the patio at Tables & Ale and the Fayetteville Farmers' Market.
...
"The farmers market is a great opportunity because it's instant feedback because if you play a song and it doesn't get anyone's attention, no one pays attention. They just keep walking."
These days, the crowds walk less and stop and watch more -- that is if they can keep their feet from stomping out a rhythm of one the band's fast-paced songs for sets that can last up to five hours.
...
As for the group's name? It was the brain child of its former banjo player, a man affectionately known as "Possum."
"It was entertaining and catchy," Landry said. "Its catchiness is it's kind of like a trailer park headline. 'Hey, Cletus got shot!' 'Really? Wow.'"
"Honestly, the first year, I hated that name," Cox said, "but it kind of grows on you after awhile."
Apparently just like the group's popularity.
- Steve Schmidt, Northwest Arkansas Times You can read the rest here
Cletus Got Shot is a four piece string band out of Fayetteville, Arkansas, that is working hard to change the common perception that all String Bands are Bluegrass. They aren't. Cletus Got Shot manages to bring together such various influences as Punk, Gospel, Folk, Swing, Rockabilly, Jazz, Rock and Roll, and Country, and combine them together in a way that seems like something totally new. They have been playing together for over two years, and are currently promoting their self-titled debut album. While gigging constantly, sometimes over twenty shows a month, they still find time to write new material, and a second album is already in the works.
Cletus Got Shot is made up of four unique musicians who each bring a full skill set to the table:
Adam Cox plays guitar and sings, and also writes the majority of the songs. His style of guitar playing is very percussive, which is not surprising, when you consider that he also has been known to play drums in punk bands. Adam has a very powerful voice, and it easily cuts through both the fastest barn-burner and the slowest ballad. His lyrical hooks seem simple at first, but not easily forgotten.
Nathan Miller is a native son of Arkansas who brings a strong tradition of folk style singing and mandolin playing into the mix. He comes from a family that maintains strong ties to their community and strives to pass on local lore through community picking parties.
Richard Hartrick is a definite wild card in the band, but his explosive fiddle playing and unique vocal style can win over the toughest crowds. He can make the fiddle sing sweetly and softly, or make it shriek and wail as powerfully as any lead guitarist.
Mark Landry sings and plays a hand-built upright bass he crafted from a gas tank and native Arkansas hardwoods. He plays slap bass in the Rockabilly style, and along with Adam's guitar playing, the lack of a drummer is no oversight.
Cletus Got Shot has played hundreds of shows in its admittedly brief time on the music scene. The band has played in shows from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Asheville, North Carolina, with countless stops in between.
I haven't been by in a while. Hi! I've just about gotten my album finished. I think it's going to be better than the first one! I haven't been playing out much thanks to the studio, but I have some shows and stuff coming up. Also new shirts! What have you been doing?
Hey thanksgiving, take this! A song written by my old group Bluntsworth four or five years ago.
"Gravy On My Tateys"
Crappy sound quality back then, ouch! The songwriting is still there though I think. What do you think, is it a new classic holiday song?
hey you cletus got shot guys! :) either we will bring our P.A. system or we can use the house P.A. - either way you are covered and don't need to bring yours - see you all soon! - Blackthorn / Nov. 20
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Thank You.
PS: Before You Enter Any MySpace Contests You Might Want To Also Review The Website At: www.st
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