Doug Spears' new 2007 release, "Break Some Stones", is coming out of the blocks fast. Just before its release in July 2007 its title track, "Break Some Stones", won the coveted American Songwriter Magazine Lyrics Contest and is published in the July / August issue of that leading publication. "Break Some Stones" is a "live in the studio" solo recording which features a straight on rendition of 14 great original songs.
Doug Spears is an Orlando, Fl. based performing songwriter whose acoustic music draws on elements of contemporary folk, Americana, bluegrass, country and folk rock. The result is a sound that is fresh and new, yet immediately familiar causing one reviewer to call it "retro contemporary, yet neo-traditional." His work combines vivid, lyrical images set to memorable melodies, delivered with a unique guitar style and powered by rich vocals often compared to John Denver.
Spears is no stranger to winning awards for his songwriting. In 2005 Doug released "Truths & Lies", a collection of 12 songs ranging from regional, historical pieces about Florida's past (including "Teppintine", "Steam Train" and "Banks of the Old St. John's") to insightful, personal pieces like "This Old House", "Mournful Eyes" and "It Must Be You." Very well received, "Truths & Lies" earned excellent reviews and songs included on that album earned numerous awards. “Banks of the Old St. Johns†won Florida’s Will McLean Award in 1997. “This Old House,†“Annie’s Chairs†and “Swimmin’ Against the Tide†earned Doug finalist slots in the 1998 and 2000 South Florida Folk Festival Songwriters’ Competition and the 2000 Suwannee Springfest Songwriters’ Competition. More recently, “A Mother’s Tears†earned top 20 finalist status in the AAA / Americana category of Unisong International’s 10th Annual Songwriting Contest for 2005-06, while another track, “Teppintine,†earned an Honorable Mention. Songwriter Universe Magazine selected “This Old House†for its “Top 5 songs of the Month†in January 2006.
In a land of transplants and transients, Doug Spears is a rare fourth generation Florida native. Born in Leesburg, Florida, his best childhood memories tie back to the farm house his grandfather built just west of Leesburg in the 1920's. He took up the guitar at age 12, learning on an old Gibson J-45 loaned to him by a family friend, and soon began writing his own songs heavily influenced by the wealth of songwriter poets of the time. Doug's songcraft has matured into the skillful painting of lyric portraits of complex characters, places and events, in both difficult and joyous circumstances, delivered with a deft and subtle touch.
Doug Spears will be touring throughout the U.S. in 2007 and 2008 to promote â€Break Some Stonesâ€, starting with a three week tour in July and August 2007 that includes shows in Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and North Carolina. His current schedule, links to purchase his CDs and booking contact information can be seen on his website at www.dougspearsmusic.com and on his MySpace site at www.myspace.com/dougspears.