Joy Williams and John Paul White are The Civil Wars. That is such a good name that it is a wonder why no one has used it before. She is from California, he from Alabama, and they now reside in East Nashville, and are on the road to everywhere else, as they are touring like crazy! It has been a breakout year, starting with their song "Poison & Wine" being played in its entirety on Grey's Anatomy. Hundreds of thousands of viewers Googled it to find out what it was. And then Taylor Swift gave them yet another unexpected boost, when she tweeted about them, and then included the song on her official iTunes playlist. Yes, I just mentioned Taylor Swift. Don't judge me.
Their first full-length CD, Barton Hollow, hits the street on February 1st. It was recorded in Nashville, produced by GRAMMY® Award winner Charlie Peacock, whom they met at their very first show at The French Quarter Cafe in East Nashville. It is the follow up to 2010's Live At Eddie's Attic CD (which was taped at their second show ever), and the 4 song EP from 2009, Poison & Wine. We can't wait to see what happens next, but what has gone on so far is truly astounding. There have been 100,000 downloads of the live CD; 400,000 views of the video "Poison & Wine;" and their EP debuted at #4 of iTunes Singer/Songwriter Top Albums Chart. What can I say? We couldn't wait until the release date. Here is the title track, "Barton Hollow."
- Jessie Scott
