News Item:

We're pleased to announce new recording deals with William Lee Ellis and Fiona Boyes!

William Lee Ellis, the son of banjo composer Tony Ellis, godson of bluegrass patriarch Bill Monroe, and former pop music critic for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, recently wrapped recording on his new album God's Tattoos, his third for Yellow Dog Records. The album, recorded and produced by Jim Dickinson at his Zebra Ranch, is an eclectic mix of blues, Americana, gospel, world music, and even rock, that set out as a personal journey of the spirit (the title referring to psychic and emotional scars or "tattoos" we all wear inside.) The album is set for release this summer.


Australian Fiona Boyes is relocating to the US for a while to tour and record her new album for Yellow Dog Records. After winning the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2003, Fiona visited the US to play major festivals in New York, Chicago, Portland and Atlanta. Recognized by Blues Hall of Fame legend Pinetop Perkins as "the best gal guitar player I've heard since Memphis Minnie," Fiona has gone on to play and record with some of the greats of Delta and Chicago blues, including Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin from Muddy Waters' band, and the immortal Hubert Sumlin, famed for his 28 year career as Howlin Wolf's guitarist.

Fiona recorded her Yellow Dog Records debut, titled Lucky 13, in Austin in February for a planned August release - Grammy award-winning producer Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff was at the helm with special guests, including Bob Margolin and Marcia Ball, joining in.