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To look at Paul Sanchez you just know he is from New Orleans.

When he takes to stage there is no doubt the man is New Orleans in his heart. It’s evident. It’s clear. It’s remarkably, unmistakably original New Orleans music he plays, paradoxically familiar and new.

His latest release on Threadhead Records is his first duo record with friend and long time collaborator John Boutte'. Songwriting partners for many years, they have appeared on each others records, this is the first album as a duo. "Stew Called New Orleans",(now available on Itunes), represents the years of friendship as well as the cultural and musical influences they have had on each other. The eleven songs feature nine new songs written by Boutte' and Sanchez as well as two covers. Another sign of the influence they have been on each other is the choice of the two cover songs. Sanchez sings the Jelly Roll Morton classic, "I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say" and Boutte' offers up a beautiful version of Paul Simon's "American Tune". Recorded in one day, live at Piety Recording Studio in New Orleans, "Stew Called New Orleans" is as relaxed as walking into dba on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans on a night when the room is silent and the band is playing as much for each other as the audience. The friendship bewteen the musicians is palpable on each track. Boutte's long time guitarist, Todd Duke, co-wrote one of the songs with Sanchez as did Leroy Jones who's brilliant trumpet playing is the voice of New Orleans and has been a part of Boutte's music for years. Check out this Stew Called New Orleans.

2008 saw the re-release of a rewritten version of the title cut of Paul's first solo release "Jet Black and Jealous". The Eli Young band made the song the title cut of their major label debut on Universal/Republic. "Jet Black and Jealous" made it's debut at number 5 on the Billboard Country Album Charts in September. It has been in the charts for over twenty-three weeks and The Eli Young Band have been nominated as best new band at this year's CMA awards.

Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner produced his 2008 release of new material, "Exit to Mystery Street", (Threadhead Records), Paul also worked with Pirner on John Boutte’s latest album "Good Neighbor", (Threadhead Records), the material for which was a joint effort by both Sanchez and Boutte. Good Neighbor was selected as "Best Traditional Album of 2008" by Offbeat Magazine.

Also released in April is the release of Paul's first book, a collection of essays about life, music and love in the new New Orleans. Pieces Of Me is being released by Threadhead Records this April. You can check it out at http://www.threadheadrecords.com/sanchez_book.htm.

Paul resides in the Treme' section of New Orleans now. He continues to write, sing, live and breathe New Orleans.

FUNKY KIDZ NOW AVAILABLE! Check out Paul's groovin rendition of "If I Only Had a Brain": Paul Sanchez is featured on FUNKY KIDZ, a unique musical compilation, featuring classic kids songs we all know and love, stylized and performed by 12 of N'awlins finest musicians. In addition to Paul, the stellar lineup includes George Porter Jr., The Radiators, Theresa Andersson, Ivan Neville, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington and more. You can hear samples of all 12 tracks and purchase your copy at _www.funkykidzmusic.com_ (http://www.funkykidzmusic.com/)