About the same time in nearby LaGrange, Georgia, a young Shannon was adorned with similar surroundings. Alongside two very musical parents, she also recalls the front-porch singing of her grandmother, as well as her grandfather's prolific instrumental ability...all of which affected her early on. "We still have these little tapes from like 1978 of me singing Kenny Rogers and Linda Rondstadt songs while strummin' on the ukulele. It's hilarious. That's all I've ever really loved to do, sing and play music."
Having labored to fuse a distinct, mutual style and encouraged by the reception their songs were earning, in 2002 the Wrights decided to move to Nashville. The couple wanted to surround themselves, to push themselves to create and perform in a town where profuse country talent is displayed on every block, any night. As Adam notes, "From the first songwriters night we went to in town we were just floored. We thought, 'We really need to step it up.'"
By now a near-instinct, each took day jobs (Adam worked construction, Shannon waited tables) in order to play the small stages at night. "Our main focus was on our music," Adam says. "We were writing and playing as much as possible." The Wrights' focus landed them on the Grand Ole Opry stage and as an opener for country music icon, Loretta Lynn. Accordingly, dedicated fans began to congregate at their shows, as did the industry. Keith Stegall was impressed with the band's growth. As the music hit full-bloom, their hard work enveloping every note and beat, he and co-producer John Kelton signed on to move The Wrights into the studio.
In the studio, Shannon, Adam and long-time band mate Alex McCollough were joined by celebrated Nashville musicians Eddie Bayers, Hargus "Pig" Robbins and Paul Franklin. ("We were blown away," Shannon says. Adam, who played lead guitar on all the songs, adds, "They had to make me take solos. I just wanted to listen!").
Resulting are the twelve songs-again, all written by The Wrights-set for release in May of 2005. Overall, the refreshing collection of tunes embodies two restless dreams come together at a chance meeting on a random night down in Georgia. Listening to the couple and their tuneful symbiosis, one can't help but acknowledge the patient craft, talent, and strength attained when two halves flow so seamlessly together.
