JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS RELEASES NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM WITH THE JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND

VIEW/DOWNLOAD PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 15, 2016

JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS RELEASES NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM
YOU BETTER WATCH OUT
WITH THE JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND
Featured Artists To Include Béla Fleck, Aoife O’Donovan, Joe Gransden,
Daniel De Los Reyes and Clay Cook

ALBUM RECORDED AT HOPKINS’ NEW BRIGHTER SHADE STUDIOS

HOLIDAY SHOWS TO INCLUDE PERFORMANCES WITH
ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA AND JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND
Callanwolde Holiday Gala, Red Sky Tapas and
Kennesaw State University’s Morgan Concert Hall

ATLANTA — Today, John Driskell Hopkins (founding member of the Zac Brown Band) has released his second holiday album, entitled You Better Watch Out, with The Joe Gransden Big Band. This follows the success of In the Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays, released in 2015 with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra (and on vinyl in 2016). You Better Watch Out is available immediately for purchase or download on johndriskellhopkins.com, and will be available for download and purchase at additional sites — including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and Pandora — beginning Friday, November 24.

Hopkins will also perform three holiday shows this season, including the annual Callanwolde Holiday Gala on Thursday, November 30, at 8 p.m. with Katie Deal, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble and The Joe Grandsen Big Band; at Red Sky Tapas on Sunday, December 3 at 7 p.m. with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra; and at Kennesaw State University’s Morgan Concert Hall on Thursday, December 14 at 8 p.m. with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra.

Recorded and mixed at Hopkins’ new studio — Brighter Shade Studios — You Better Watch Out will feature appearances by musicians including Béla Fleck (“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”), Joe Gransden (“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”), Aoife O’Donovan (“Santa Baby”), Daniel De Los Reyes (“Donde Esta Santa Claus?”) and Clay Cook (“Here Comes Santa Claus”).

“Brighter Shade Studios is a space I look forward to making music in for the rest of my life. For me, it is very creative and comfortable — I like that it’s private, yet functional on a professional level,” said John Driskell Hopkins. “When I’m in this space, I feel as if I’ve transported to another place, another world. I plan to record my music there, as well as the music of my favorite musicians, friends and family. It’s the kind of spot I’ll be using as a producer, writer and engineer — all facets of my musical life. This is where I want to hone my craft and continue to actively contribute to the Atlanta music community.”

You Better Watch Out is the first album to come from this new incarnation of Brighter Shade Studios. Hopkins has also recorded Joe Gransden’s holiday album (coming soon), and will be recording Katie Deal’s new album, among other projects. The studio, a stunning and expansive 2500 square feet, includes an oversized, flexible-use main recording space large enough to hold a 30-piece orchestra. The space also boasts a voice-over booth, machine and mixing room, lounge and full-service bar — made of Sapele (from Taylor Guitars) with customized song lyrics carved into the wood. The space is garnished with hallmarks of Hopkins esteemed career, including guitars, awards, photos and mementos from his musical journey.

NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM

YOU BETTER WATCH OUT

JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS AND THE JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND

*Available immediately at johndriskellhopkins.com

1. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
2. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (featuring Béla Fleck) WATCH VIDEO
3. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” WATCH VIDEO
4. “Santa Baby” (featuring Aoife O’Donovan) WATCH VIDEO
5. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (featuring Joe Gransden)
6. “Here Comes Santa Claus” (featuring Clay Cook)
7. “Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season”
8. “Sing a Kris Kringle Jingle”
9. “Dónde Está Santa Claus?” (featuring Daniel De Los Reyes)
10. “Zat You, Santa Claus?”
11. “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas”
12. “The Man with the Bag”

HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Callanwolde Holiday Gala

Thursday, November 30 | 8 p.m.
John Driskell Hopkins
Katie Deal
Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble
The Joe Gransden Big Band

Red Sky Tapas
Sunday, December 3 | 7 p.m.
John Driskell Hopkins
Atlanta Pops Orchestra

Kennesaw State University | Morgan Concert Hall
In The Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays
Thursday, December 14 | 8 p.m.
John Driskell Hopkins
Atlanta Pops Orchestra

* * *

WATCH VIDEO: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (featuring Béla Fleck)

WATCH VIDEO: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

WATCH VIDEO: “Santa Baby” (featuring Aoife O’Donovan)

# # #

 

Media Contact:

Melissa A.E. Sanders, Tadpole Communications

404.909.6726 | Melissa@TadpoleComm.net