New Artist Spotlight - Hot Apple Pie

New Artist Spotlight: Hot Apple Pie

By Gary Voorhies

The ingredients for Hot Apple Pie are Keith Horne, a Virginia-bred flat picking guitar champion/bass player; Trey Landry, a Cajun drummer/accordionist Texan; Mark "Sparky" Matejka, a guitarist with a degree in jazz; and Brady Seals, a proven singer-songwriter.

The foursome decided on the name "because it means so many things," Seals said. "It means home. It means comfort. It means Country. It means rock 'n' roll. And it is so American."

The group began with Seals, formerly of the hit band Little Texas.

"I wanted something that's fresh and new, a little edgy and yet mainstream," Seals said. Matejka and Landry had already backed Seals in his solo career. "I always thought that they should have more than a sideman role. They were really talented guys. So I called them up and said, 'Let's put a band together.'"

The band was completed when Horne auditioned and joined. After a stint playing jazz with Ramsey Lewis, Horne had worked with artists including Tanya Tucker and Chaka Khan.

The four got together at producer Richard Landis' studio, and the chemistry was immediate. By the end of the day, they had recorded four songs, all of which wound up on their debut, self-titled DreamWorks Records Nashville album, released on June 21. Filled with thick three-part harmony, the first single from Hot Apple Pie is "Hillbillies."

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

What word or phrase do you find yourself saying over and over again?

LANDRY: "Am I dreaming?"

What kind of album, other than Country, would you like to make?

HORNE: "I would have to say an R&B album, it's the other music I grew up on other than Country Music and what I listen to most when on the road."

What does Country Music mean to you?

MATEJKA: "Well I believe it means a lot of things; mostly I think it means roots. Country Music is steeped in history. Things like the Grand Ole Opry are traditions that will be around forever. And they are just as exciting today as they were 50 years ago. Most new artists and musicians in Country Music carry a deep respect for their heroes who came before them, like a tradition that's passed down from generation to generation. I don't think you find that as much in any other musical genre. But most of all its music by and for real people. Most Country Music fans feel as if they know the artists they enjoy personally, and I believe that's because the songs reveal true stories, emotions and feelings that we can all relate to. And finally there isn't as much smoke and mirrors as you find in other styles. You can either play your instrument, sing, and deliver your music or you can't. The proof is in the pickin'."

What song do you wish you had written?

SEALS: "'Yesterday' - Paul McCartney."

On the Web: www.dreamworksnashville.com

June 28, 2005