Perfect Stranger (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Perfect Stranger


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Carthage, Texas, USA
Genre = Country
Years_active = 1986-present
Label = Pacific, Curb
Current_members = Marty Arbter
Shanye Morrison
Steve Murray
Richard Raynes
Past_members = Andy Ginn
Associated_acts = Vince Gill
Kostas
Morrison-Williams

Perfect Stranger is an American country music band founded in 1986 in the state of Texas by Steve Murray (lead vocals), Andy Ginn (drums), Shayne Morrison (bass guitar) and Richard Raynes (guitar). After several years of performing throughout Texas, the quartet released an independent album in 1994; this album was later picked up by Curb Records, who re-packaged and re-released it a year later. By 1995, its second single (entitled "You Have the Right to Remain Silent") had become a Top 5 hit on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. Although Perfect Stranger never entered Top 40 on the country charts again, they continued to perform and record throughout the 1990s. By the release of their second album (entitled "The Hits") in 2001, Ginn had been replaced by Marty Arbter on drums.

Biography

Perfect Stranger was founded in 1986 in Carthage, Texas by Steve Murray (lead vocals), Shayne Morrison (bass guitar), Richard Raynes (lead guitar), and Andy Ginn (drums).cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gxfoxqtgldde~T1 |title=Perfect Stranger biography |accessdate=2008-01-07 |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |work=Allmusic] They originally performed as Midnight Express before assuming the name Perfect Stranger.cite web |url=http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/Perfect-Stranger.html |title=Perfect Stranger biography |accessdate=2008-01-07 |work=Oldies.com] The four artists played together throughout the state of Texas, mostly in clubs and at rodeos. In December 1994, they released an independent album on the Pacific label, entitled "It's Up to You". Featured on it was the single "Ridin' the Rodeo"; penned by Vince Gill and veteran songwriter Kostas, the song was considered the biggest independent country music hit in the United States at the time, although it never reached the "Billboard" charts.

A second single, entitled "You Have the Right to Remain Silent", followed soon afterward. By the time of its release, Perfect Stranger's success as an independent act had been noticed by Curb Records, who acquired the band's debut album and its single. Curb continued promoting "You Have the Right to Remain Silent", marking the only time in country music history where a major label has signed a former independent act while continuing promotion of the act's single.cite web |url=http://www.gatalent.com/Acts/Perfect_Stranger/perfect_stranger.html |title=Perfect Stranger |accessdate=2008-01-07 |work=GA Talent] "It's Up to You" was then re-packaged and re-released in 1995 as "You Have the Right to Remain Silent", the band's major-label debut; by the middle of the year, its title track had reached #4 on the country music charts, and #61 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, Perfect Stranger continued to chart singles on occasion, although none of their other singles entered Top 40 on the country music charts. By the end of the 1990s, Andy Ginn had departed, with Marty Arbter taking over on drums. The band's second album, "The Hits", was issued in 2001, also on Curb.

In 2006, Morrison founded a duo called Morrison-Williams, although he continues to tour as part of Perfect Stranger as well.

Discography

Albums

*^A "It's Up to You" was reissued in 1995 as "You Have the Right to Remain Silent".

ingles

"You Have the Right to Remain Silent"

Infobox Album
Name = You Have the Right to Remain Silent
Type = studio
Artist = Perfect Stranger


Released = start date|1995|06|13
Recorded =
Genre = Country
Length = 31:09
Label = Curb
Producer = Clyde Brooks
This album = "You Have the Right to Remain Silent"
(1995)
Next album = "The Hits"
(2001)

Track listing

#"Remember the Ride" (Michael Harrell, Kim Williams) – 3:18
#"It's Up to You" (Jim Lauderdale, Gary Nicholson) – 2:36
#"One More Repossession" (Williams, Oscar Turman) – 2:30
#"You Have the Right to Remain Silent" (Brenda Sweat, Cal Sweat) – 3:28
#"Ridin' the Rodeo" (Kostas, Vince Gill) – 3:03
#"I Ain't Never" (Mel Tillis, Webb Pierce) – 2:38
#"Who Are You" (Gary Cotton, Cindy Greene, Bobby Carmichael) – 3:06
#"Cut Me Off" (Rich Fagan, Wynn Varble, Gerald Smith) – 2:50
#"I Am a Stranger Here Myself" (Dave Lindsey, Matt Lindsey, Michael Keith) – 3:59
#"Even the Jukebox Can't Forget" (Trey Bruce, Craig Wiseman) – 3:41

Personnel

*Andy Ginn – drums
*Shayne Morrison – bass guitar, background vocals
*Steve Murray – acoustic guitar, lead vocals
*Richard Raynes – electric guitar, background vocals

"The Hits"

Infobox Album
Name = The Hits
Type = studio
Artist = Perfect Stranger


Released = start date|2001|06|26
Recorded =
Genre = Country
Length =
Label = Curb
Producer = Clyde Brooks, Julian King, Perfect Stranger
Last album = "You Have the Right to Remain Silent"
(1995)
This album = "The Hits"
(2001)

Track listing

#"The Hits" (Kevin Durham, Marty Brown) – 4:13
#"Runnin' Thru My Mind" (James LeBlanc) – 3:39
#"Miracle" (Shayne Morrison) – 3:33
#"A Little Bit More of Your Love" (Kelly Garrett, Jason Deere) – 2:39
#"Absolute Crazy" (Walt Wilkins, Dana Hunt) – 3:41
#"Take the Weekened Off" (Jason Green, Tim Buppert) – 3:11
#"My Heart Looks the Other Way" (Tim Mensy, Gary Harrison) – 3:10
#"Fire When Ready" (Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin) – 3:03
#"Ain't It Strange How Things Turn Around" (Leslie Satcher, Clay Blaker) – 3:11
#"Ain't That Somethin'" (Brenton Roberts, Tony Marty) – 3:26
#"You Have the Right to Remain Silent" (Cal Sweat, Brenda Sweat) – 3:30

Personnel

*Marty Arbter – drums
*Shayne Morrison – bass guitar, background vocals
*Steve Murray – acoustic guitar, lead vocals
*Richard Raynes – electric guitar, background vocals

References