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Hussey starts recording label, studio

Records his new album

Jake Eddy, left, and Steve Hussey, right, are collaborating on a new single and album, “The Miller Girl.” (Photo by Michelle Waters)

WASHINGTON, W.Va. — Steve Hussey envisions Wood County becoming a northern version of Muscle Shoals, Ala.

The small Alabama city is known in the music industry for its recording studios that have produced hit records since the 1960s.

Wood County has plenty of talented singer/songwriters and bands but few recording studios and venues for playing music, Hussey said.

Hussey is trying to grow the local music scene.

He has created Merf Records and Entertainment LLC, which features a record label, publishing company and a recording studio in his Washington, W.Va., home.

Hussey, a singer/songwriter, is releasing an album, “The Miller Girl,” next month on Merf Records in collaboration with bluegrass musician Jake Eddy, 17, of Parkersburg.

Eddy, a junior at Parkersburg South High School, plays seven instruments in “The Miller Girl” album and sings backing vocals. He is a West Virginia state flatpicking champion on the guitar and has won awards for his banjo and mandolin playing.

All 10 songs for “The Miller Girl” were written by Hussey, a longtime local  singer/songwriter and band member.

The album, set for release on Nov. 22, features Americana music, a fusion of folk, blues, country and rock, a “rootsy” blend of music, Hussey said. The single by the same name is scheduled to be released on Nov. 1.

“The Miller Girl” recently reached No.1 on the Americana/AAA format album on Airplay Direct, a site with over 10,000 radio station members worldwide, Hussey said. “We are the No. 6 Americana album for the month of October so far, right now in between releases by Johnny Cash and Vince Gill,” Hussey said recently.

In this new album venture, Eddy has enjoyed moving from his earlier roots in traditional bluegrass to Americana music, which is more of an “open forum,” he said. Americana is a freer, more open brand of music, allowing for more musical interpretation and fewer “rules,” Eddy said.

Eddy also plays in the band Simply Bluegrass with family members.

Hussey has a passion for writing songs and playing the guitar. He has performed with The Steve Hussey Band and with smaller groups for several years.

He knows other area performers who also are fueled by music and song.

Hussey, 40, is determined to “take leadership” of the music scene in the Mid-Ohio Valley and grow it into a music incubator for area musicians. He wants local musicians to become known on national and worldwide stages.

Jeff Ray and Tracy Allen have pending album releases with Merf Records, and Hussey said he will consider recording songs for other singer/songwriters. He can be contacted at 304-693-2719.

Working with Hussey in Merf Records and Entertainment LLC are Tom Sherman, Chris Landaker and Jeff Ray, with Skylight Media of Vienna handling video production needs.

Hussey has done his homework — involving a lot of “time and research” — on the music business. He has met with music executives in Nashville to learn about the music recording business and has studied songwriting there, Hussey said.

Hussey said he wants to produce music that has depth and connects with people, who can relate to common experiences in life.

He believes he has achieved this goal with “The Miller Girl.” A CD release show for the new album is planned for 7-9 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Adelphia Music Hall, 205 Second St. in Marietta.

More information is available at steveandjake.com.

Hussey sees himself as being a creative person with an interest in music and videos.

“Music gives me energy,” said Hussey. “I enjoy writing songs” and recording them in a studio, he said.

From about 2008 to 2010, The Steve Hussey Band performed 60-70 shows a year, including at fairs and festivals, homecomings, clubs and at the West Virginia State Fair. He has shared the stage with .38 Special, Eddie Money, the Davisson Brothers and Jeff Ray.

“Why can’t we (Wood County) have world-class videos and a record label,” Hussey said, noting Muscle Shoals, Ala. (population 13,146 in 2010) has carved a music niche for itself.

“We have talented singers and songwriters. I want to shine a spotlight on them,” Hussey said.

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