Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, September 2008: Facedown Records Present: MIKE FARRIS HONORED AS 2008’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR AT AMERICANA MUSIC AWARDS

MIKE FARRIS HONORED AS 2008’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR AT AMERICANA MUSIC AWARDS

"Must-see" Sunday Night Shout residency returns in October

NEWS SOURCE: The M Collective
September 22, 2008

Sept. 22, 2008…Nashville, TN…INO Records’ Mike Farris has traveled far in his journey from wild front man of the hard-rockin' Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies to being honored as 2008's Emerging Artist during last week’s Americana Music Awards and Honors, which took place at The Ryman Auditorium. He chronicles the heart of that journey in his Salvation in Lights album as well as his “must see” Sunday Night Shouts, which will pick up again in October at Nashville’s iconic Station Inn. Farris’ debut solo album Salvation in Lights (2007) critical raves helped raise the front man's profile enough so that he was firmly in position to be heralded as this year's Emerging Artist in the rootsy truths of the Americana music format. "We've taken the music of the long-lost Deep South, dug it out of America's collective attic and brought it back to life for everyone to enjoy," is Farris’ explanation for the album's power and purpose. Salvation is such a strong and personal statement, one that can't be contained on a single recorded document. It must see light, or stage lights in this case.

That is why he began his first round of Sunday Shouts and why he is set to return. Backed by his shouting, stomping, shuffling and wailing 11-piece Roseland Rhythm Revue, the singer continues his quest to document, with rock fervor and soulful splendor, his personal and musical revival.

During these Sunday Night Shouts, the singer-songwriter allows the audience to peer into his soul while he delivers weekly installments of rafter-raisin' boogie stew, equal parts honky-tonk spirit and Christian revival. Farris says he's been told that if Sunday morning services were as spirited and spiritual as his evening shows, more folks would go to worship services. While he is continuing to host Sunday Night Shouts, he will also be performing at various festivals and venues throughout the remainder of the year. For more information on Farris please visit www.mikefarrismusic.net and to hear his testimony, click here

About Mike Farris
Founder and former front man of the highly successful rock group Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, Mike Farris has lived through it all, literally. The SCW band has toured with artists/groups Meatloaf, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band, Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveler and more. Then, nearly dead from an accidental overdose of pills and alcohol before he turned 21, Farris made a desperate cry out to God, and He responded. Farris’ struggles through addiction slowly turned into hope as he and the band, Screamin Cheetah Wheelies, played their final show in Spain to 30,000 fans then two years later, he signed with INO/ Columbia Records releasing what many call a “uniquely redemptive story” with Salvation In Lights.

Tour Dates: (dates subject to change)

9/19 - Nashville, TN - 3rd & Lindsley
9/20 - Harrodsburg, KY - Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival
9/20 - Louisville, KY - Ear X-tacy Records (In-store)
9/27 - Austin, TX - Stubb's (Gospel Brunch)
9/28 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival
10/4 - San Francisco, CA - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
10/8 - Wausau, WI - Artsblock: Grand Theater
10/9 - Madison, WI - Overture Center for the Arts
10/12 - Nashville, TN - Station Inn (Sunday Night Shout)
10/19 - Nashville, TN - Station Inn (Sunday Night Shout)
10/26 - Nashville, TN - Station Inn (Sunday Night Shout)
11/2 - Nashville, TN - Station Inn (Sunday Night Shout)
11/7 - Murray, KY - Lovett Auditorium
11/9 - Nashville, TN - Station Inn (Sunday Night Shout)
11/23 - Nashville, TN - Station Inn (Sunday Night Shout)
11/28 - Nashville, TN - Schermerhorn Symphony Center