Truckstop Souvenir

Bio:

CD available at Miles of Music and CDBaby and iTunes

"This is an amazing duo ... Both of them are incredibly gifted and accomplished musicians and song writers. ... the total project is extremely well done ... it's kind of bluesy, a little bit folky, a lot original mountain style country, and certainly unique combinations of togetherness and sharing. ... I've heard a lot of duos working today, writing, recording, performing, and this couple is certainly among the top, if not number one that I've heard recently. ... They are stunning. ... buy their CD." Bob Everhart - National Traditional Country Music Association, Tradition Magazine

Truckstop Souvenir plays the music of the American landscape. Traveling the rural roads of the heartland to the wide open interstates that connect us all, this duo plays original songs drawing on the sounds of the past. From rousing fiddle-guitar leavin' songs to sparse takes on the darker side of life, Truckstop Souvenir is about pure and honest music: two voices, two acoustic instruments, and songs that are best taken straight up, no chaser.

"Their voices and instruments ... intertwine with and ease that evokes both the showbiz polish of the Everly Brothers and the rustic charm of the Carter clan ... " Kurt B. Reighley, The Stranger

" ... count the album 'Leave Nothing Behind' amongst the better albums of 2006 ... very much in touch with the Everly's, Buddy & Julie Miller and even the better work of the duo Harris/Parsons ... both are from the better breed of singer/songwriters ... " SWA, Rootstime (Belgium)

"Their sparse country-folk tales of love, cheating, regret, and murder showcase Lauryn Shapter's songbird of a voice ... and husband Dennis James's easy going delivery ... Together James and Shapter provide an earthy sound even when there are moments when the music is heavenly." Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music

"Steeped in the old school of country that even hipsters enjoy, Truckstop Souvenir provides a big dose of twang in a convincing, endearing manner." David Brantley, Seattle Sound Magazine

" ... a vivid, soul-stirring journey ... 'Leave Nothing Behind' is a smashing debut for Dennis James and Lauryn Shapter, a husband and wife duo that has a sound all its own. The two have written absolutely terrific songs, all of which they perform with their spare but chillingly effective guitar and lonesome fiddle accompaniment." Tom Petersen, Victory Review

" ... Hank Williams looms large over this record. The songs take us into the heart of the country ... it's a sparse stripped down sound ... and you feel better for listening ... story telling at its very best ... " Andy Riggs, Americana UK

" ... could have been resurrected from the mists of time ... pure rural storytelling ... " Alan Cackett, Maverick

" 'Leave Nothing Behind' is one of my favorite albums of the year, because it doesn't sound like anything you've heard on the radio, not since they took the tubes out anyway. While I'm certainly no expert on the music of the depression era, their music is. Actually, they seem to draw on a number of influences, and they all add up to a really fine album. Buy this entire album, you won't regret it." eleven100miles, iTunes

CD available at Miles of Music and CDBaby and iTunes..........

Member Since:

April 20, 2006

Members:

Lauryn Shapter-Vocals, Fiddle, Guitar, Piano
Dennis James-Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin

Influences:

Influences are drawn from the deep and storied well of American music through the balladry of wandering travellers.

Sounds Like:

A dry dusty road that ends with the spring-loaded slam of a wood screen door. Like boots on a plank board porch against the hum of a neon sign. It's a whisky soaked tale around a campfire or the clanking of empties in the chilly dew of morning's dawn.