"Celebration of Life" Set for Richard Bell in Nashville

Beloved Keyboard Player for Janis Joplin and The Band Will be Remembered on Sunday August 26 at Lyrix

(Nashville, TN) August 21, 2007 -- Renowned Canadian keyboardist, Richard Bell, who played with Janis Joplin and The Band, will be remembered by fans, friends, and colleagues, in a "Celebration of Life" service at 2:00 p.m. this Sunday, August 26, at Lyrix Music Bar and Cafe, 94 Peabody St., in Nashville.

Bell, who passed away in Toronto on June 15, began his professional career in the ‘60s as a member of Toronto band, the Last Words. He joined rockabilly artist, Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks as a keyboardist in the mid-‘60s. In 1969, he was approached by Albert Grossman, Janis Joplin’s manager, and was recruited for her Full Tilt Boogie Band. He played on her final studio album, Pearl. Bell joined The Band in 1991, performing on their albums, High on the Hog, Jubilation, and Jericho, for which he penned “Caves of Jericho.” An accomplished musician on piano, organ and accordion, Bell played on over 400 albums during his career, and performed with Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Joe Walsh, Paul Butterfield, The Cowboy Junkies, Bruce Cockburn, and Bonnie Raitt. In addition, he produced a number of albums and worked on several film soundtracks.

At the time of his death, Bell was a member of the country-rock group, Burrito Deluxe, performing and contributing songs to their recent CD, Disciples Of The Truth. He also had been continuing his work on stage and in the studio with long-time collaborators, Colin Linden, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings and Pork Belly Futures.

For more information, please contact: Colin Linden @ 615.594.7377 or e-mail: colin@colinlinden.com

Our  beloved keyboardist, and songwriter, Richard Bell, died on June 15 after a long battle with multiple myeloma cancer, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada. He was 61. An renowned and extraordinary musician, his resume stretched over 40 years, and included stints with some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most legendary performers, including Janis Joplin and The Band. (See full press release in "News" section).   “During the brief time I knew Richard, I found him to be a very spiritual person who lived everyday to the fullest. Musically, he always inspired those around him to achieve a higher level. Once he entered your life, you were better because of it.” - Carlton Moody, Burrito Deluxe - June 2007. 

Rest In Peace "Sneaky" Pete

Words cannot express the sorrow that we feel at the death of Burrito Deluxe's co-founder "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow. "Sneaky" passed away Saturday, January 6, due to complications brought on by Alzheimer's disease in a nursing facility in Petaluma, California. He was 72 years old.

We are deeply saddened by this great loss. We all loved him and will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be later this month at Joshua Tree National Park, in Twentynine Palms, Ca., but details have not been announced. Please send cards and letters (donations would be greatly appreciated) to the family of Sneaky Pete:

"Sneaky" Pete Kleinow
69229 Rainier Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Click here for press releases

11/15/06 - Yee Haw We're Going To Paris... And We Don't Mean Paris, Tennessee!

Carlton, our golden-voiced lead singer and player of things with strings, is receiving an awesome honor from CMA France: He's being presented with The International Country Artist Achievement Award for his efforts to bring great live country music to all its overseas fans.

The festivities take place November 18 with a VIP reception sponsored by Planet Hollywood and Disneyland Paris. We're gettin all dressed up for this invitation only affair! After the big cocktail schmooze-fest, the fun really begins when the whole dang Burrito Deluxe band takes the stage at Billy Bob's in Disney Village. This will be the official European launch of our new CD, DISCIPLES OF THE TRUTH! The concert is open to the public.

As you might know, the talented Mr. Moody has been very instrumental in promoting American country music in Europe and beyond. He and his brothers, the Moody Brothers, have been regulars at Disneyland Paris, Disney Village and Billy Bob's Country Saloon since 1992. Carlton's also brought tons of other Nashville artists to Disneyland Paris. Heck, he even lives in Paris now. This is all very exciting and we are very proud of him.

11/15/06 - Be The Coolest Person On Your Block: Get Your Copy Of 'Disciples Of The Truth' Now!

Our hot new CD, DISCIPLES OF THE TRUTH, won't be available in stores until February 27, 2007 - but you can pre-order your copy now!

We're very proud of this new recording, our best yet, and are eager for the world to hear it. Just click on the appropriate link here on this site and you'll be well on your way to rockin' the house (and maybe the whole neighborhood).

If you're one of the first 100 to order, you'll receive a DISCIPLES OF THE TRUTH "window cling" - destined to become a collector's item (or at least to make people say, "What the heck is THAT?!").

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

10/1/06 - Let's Get Digital: Our Subversive Plan To Get On The Radio

We're not 20 years old, we don't look as buff as we used to in tight jeans and muscle shirts, we're not trendy, and we're on an independent record label. Some folks might say the deck is stacked against our getting our songs on the radio. But we got a wonderful response to our songs, old and new, on our recent European tour, and those who've heard the new album are loving it. (Check out the reviews elsewhere on this site.)

We also have a plan. Actually, our "people" do. While we're out there rockin' and rollin', our label, management and other esteemed associates are cookin' up wild and crazy ideas like this to promote our forthcoming CD, DISCIPLES OF THE TRUTH:

"From October to December, digitally deliver three new tracks each month to DJs and radio station program directors, starting with Front Row Seats To Heaven, When The Summer's Over, and Who's Gonna Love You. Direct them to a Web site where they can download or sample the music, plus learn more about Burrito Deluxe by way of something called a "digital promo kit." (Love that lingo!)

"Target radio folks in a variety of formats: Americana, AAA, Country and College. (Hey, where we come from, it's all just good music, and we don't worry too much about what kind of label you stick on it!)

"When DISCIPLES OF THE TRUTH comes out early next year, the radio folks will already be hooked on our tunes! (Pretty clever, huh?)

Carlton Celebrates with George Hamilton IV

Everybody loves our good friend George Hamilton IV, the dapper singer of classics such as "Abilene" (No. 1 in 1963). He's widely known as the International Ambassador of Country Music, so it was fitting that he recently was honored by the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom during a special reception in London.

The swanky event - which went down in Regent's Park at Winfield House, home of Ambassador Robert Tuttle and his wife, Maria - was held in recognition of George's 50th anniversary as an entertainer and his influence in bring country music to international audiences.

When he received his Certificate of Appreciation from Ambassador Tuttle, there were more bluebloods and other big-time people in attendance than you could shake a stick at, including the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn, British pop icon Cliff Richard and a bunch of UK country music royalty. Our own Carlton Moody was fortunate enough to attend the high-falutin' affair, and the rest of Burrito Deluxe offers a well-deserved tip of the (metaphorical) hat to George!

By the way, we're also pleased to count George's son George Hamilton V among our friends. Carlton has toured Europe with George V, and we even cut his wonderful song Midnight At A Red Light for our latest album, DISCIPLES OF THE TRUTH.