Jedd Hughes - Transcontinental (2004)

The album kicks off with the up tempo Beatlesque tune "I'm Your Man" then quickly switches gears to the mellow sound of "I'll Keep Movin'" which demonstrates Jedd's versatility as an artist.

Tracks like "High Lonesome," a rolling train of honky-tonk would make Buck Owens proud. He continues rocking with the roadhouse grit of "I Don't Have A Clue," "Snake In the Grass" and "Damn! You Feel Good."

"Time To Say Goodnight (Sweet Dreams Baby)" and "The Only Girl In Town" (with guest harmonies by Alison Krauss) are sung with a soulful yearning guaranteed to melt the hardest hearts. Jedd's former "boss," Patty Loveless, puts her golden touch on the beautiful, melancholy "Soldier For The Lonely." The album ends fittingly with a cover of country rock legend Gram Parsons' "Luxury Liner."

Growing up in the small south Australian town of Quorn, Jedd was first given the gift of country music by his father, who loved the sounds of American icons such as Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins.

"The first guitar solos I ever heard were Luther Perkins', and for some reason that got me excited. I guess that's what got me into guitar playing". When he wasn't listening to music at home, much of Jedd's childhood was spent onstage. At age eight, he won first place at the Port Pirie Country Music Festival. and by age 10 he was playing a custom-made De Gruchy acoustic guitar.

One night on the radio, Jedd heard the Ricky Skaggs song "Country Boy" and was hooked on Skaggs' rapid-fire blend of country and bluegrass. "That was the fastest music I'd ever heard," he recalls. "It was pretty mind-boggling

Jedd had another life changing experience when he heard the music of country rocker Buddy Miller. "I heard Poison Love, and Buddy's guitar playing and singing completely changed my whole outlook on what country music could be".

While attending South Plains College Jedd met Terry McBride. Terry, who'd enjoyed success with his trio McBride and the Ride, did a workshop at the college. He noticed there was something different about the young guitarist. He talked with Jedd after the show and offered to write with him if he ever made the move to Nashville.

Soon after, Jedd called Music City home and the pair began writing. Since his move to Nashville, Jedd has earned the respect of Nashville's elite. His list of admirers is long - and reads like a "Who's Who" of country music. Jedd is beloved by such respected artists as Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell, Alison Krauss and Guy Clark.

If fact, just six weeks after landing in Music City, Jedd auditioned to be the lead guitarist for Patty Loveless. "I had, heard that Patty was looking for a new acoustic player and singer to do the Down From the Mountain tour. I was already a fan of her music, so I went and auditioned". Only one hour later, Jedd was asked to join Patty's band - and then he was invited to play the Grand Ole Opry the next night. "It all happened so quickly and I feel so lucky that it all worked out like that."

Playing with one of country's most talented and respected singers taught Jedd valuable lessons. " I learned that consistency is possible. Not only with singing, but with the show. Whether it's a small or huge crowd. She always gets out there and rocks every night."

During his days off from playing with Patty, Jedd was busy in the studio with Terry, cutting demos which they eventually took to MCA in December 2002. "While I was at home I got an e-mail from Terry saying, 'You've been offered a record deal on MCA Records!'. "It's still very surreal, just thinking about the whole scenario."