The on the edge original Americana music style of The John D. Hale Band from Jackson, Missouri is a blend of country, bluegrass, and rock. It makes up their "One of a kind" sound featured in their debut CD due for release in the fall of 2005. The band's first CD release features 12 original songs written by John D. Hale.

The only song on the CD not penned by John D. Hale is "Rose in Paradise" - a song Waylon recorded; however, the other songs on the CD written by John D. Hale are a mix of unprecedented tunes that cannot be inserted into any one category. Song content goes from the story telling "Jedd Black" and "Rebel Soldier" to the bluegrass sounds of "Face Down Dead"; from the upbeat tempo of "I'm Gonna Leave You" to the sentimental "Lake Elizabeth"; and from the country soul of "Why" to the light hearted sound of the title cut "One of a Kind", there is definitely a wide variety of music on this CD. Add in the questionable humor of "White Trash Charlie" and there is a little something for everyone on this CD.

John D. Hale (Lead Vocals, Songwriter) was raised on an exotic animal ranch is Southeast Missouri. John's lifestyle from a baby on has been as unique as his style of music. From the age of two months, his sidekick raised with him was a chimpanzee just two weeks older than him. John (not the chimp) has been playing guitar since he was very young. John played mandolin and sang harmony vocals in his first band when he was just twelve years old. He started writing songs around the age of eighteen. John's creative songwriting has been influenced by many Texas singers/songwriters including Robert Earl Keen, Willie and Waylon, and Jack Ingram. Bluegrass greats such as The Del McCoury Band, Larry Sparks, Lou Reid, and Tony Rice have influenced him as well. John had been performing solo with his acoustic guitar for awile when he organized The John D. Hale Band late in 2004.

Smooth Roose (Harmony Vocals, Lead Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin) grew up in Lima, Ohio playing music with his entire family. His grandfather had the first local live music radio show in Lima. He picked up a banjo at eleven years of age and joined his Dad's bluegrass band. By the age of sixteen, he was not only playing banjo in his Dad's band, but also the mondolin in another bluegrass band (Woodville Express) and bass in a rock'n roll band. He has won four state banjo contests and played in several other bands professionally as well.

Jay Cagle (Drums) has been playing drums since he was sixteen years old. He grew up in Branson, Missouri and comes from a long line of family musicians-his grandfather played with Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys. Jay toured with the "Plummer Family", one of the pioneer musical theatre groups of Branson for five years throughout South Texas and the Midwest before moving to Southeast Missouri where his family owned and operated their own recording studio.

Cody Phillips (Bass) is the youngest member of the band and perhaps the one whose full talent is yet to be realized. In search of a last minute bass player, John taught his nephew, Cody, to play bass and he had practiced with the band for only one week before his first gig. The band billed him as the "one week wonder". He pulled it off and became the band's permanent bass player from that point on.

The John D. Hale Band is a group of froends that have been playing music together for a long time. John, Smooth, and Cody are all involved in the exotic animal business and Jay has helped out over the years. Working jobs together on the road with exotic animals gave John, Smooth, Jay and Cody a chance to hone their musical chemistry. This becomes evident as you hear their original sound and see their unique style. As the title of their first CD "One of a Kind" suggests, The John D. Hale Band is just that.

For more information contact:
2325 County Road 618
Jackson, MO 63755
(573) 243-7150/979-7069
info@johndhaleband.com