See Billboard Review, and other press on the brand new album from Trailer Choir...

(Courtesy of Billboard.com)

Off the Hillbilly Hook
Released: June, 09, 2009
Record Label: Show Dog

Album Review
Although it may look like it, Trailer Choir, with a 400-pound man at the center of things, is not a parody act. All three members, Crystal, Butter, and Vinny (the big guy), have bona fide talent, and this EP from Toby Keith's Show Dog imprint (Keith also produced it) shows a sharp, whimsical, funny, serious, and rocking little pop country outfit that is nothing if not catchy and commercial. "Rockin' the Beer Gut" is almost a novelty song, yes, but these guys bring such spirited joy to the table that it ends up being impossibly catchy. "Rollin' Through the Sunshine" does just that, it rolls wonderfully on sunshine harmonies, and the EP's closer and title track, "Off the Hillbilly Hook," is a thundering marvel. This is a fun and sharp little set.
~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

(Courtesy Of Leader-Telegram Online)

By Rob Hanson
Leader-Telegram staff

Trailer Choir "Rockin' The Beer Gut", Country Fest
From party anthems to tear-jerking ballads, Trailer Choir vocalist Crystal says she likes to be taken on "the full ride" when she attends a concert.

So it's maybe not surprising that the country trio's debut album, "Off the Hillbilly Hook," which was released June 9 on Toby Keith's Show Dog Records, gives listeners that ride.

Between the band's comical first single, "Rockin' the Beer Gut," and the heavy-hearted track "What Would You Say," which is about the fatal January 2006 Sago Mine accident in West Virginia, the disc taps comedy, tragedy and emotions that lie in between.

"We're songwriters at the root of all of it," vocalist and guitarist Butter said in a group telephone interview. "So as songwriters we like writing all types of things. As a whole we're a trailer gate party. We're a backyard barbecue in high definition."

Trailer Choir will make their first Country Fest appearance at 3 p.m. Friday. Chuck Wicks, Joe Nichols, Kellie Pickler and Montgomery Gentry will round out the day's main-stage lineup.

The band evolved from Butter and Big Vinny playing clubs and frat parties. One night at a gig, Crystal - who had known Butter and Big Vinny for a few years - decided Trailer Choir's music needed some female harmony. She jumped onstage and took Butter's microphone.

The sight of a beautiful blond singer, a strangely dressed guitar player and the 300-pound Big Vinny doing "the worm" dance caught the eye of country superstar Keith.

"We literally signed our record deal on a Tuesday, and we were on a tour bus with Toby on Thursday," said Big Vinny. "We haven't slowed down since."

Band members had their share of side stages and parking-lot performances behind them when Keith brought Trailer Choir out on stage at the Blossom Music Center in Butter's hometown of Cleveland.

Butter said he can remember sneaking into Poison and Van Halen concerts at the venue when he was young.

"It was such a proud moment," he said. "(Keith) is holding your hand up in front of your town and saying, 'These boys are on my team.' "

To the delight of Trailer Choir, Keith decided to produce "Off the Hillbilly Hook."

"When you have somebody that will take you under their wing and having that record deal, it really changes things," said Crystal. "That's what kind of catapults the situation from just being in a successful Nashville show to a show that has national success."

Butter likens working with Keith to being a young quarterback taking lessons from Brett Favre or John Elway.

"There's just a different feeling when you see Toby Keith sitting on the other side of the glass," he said. "Sports athletes say it all the time: 'You gotta recognize the moment you're in.' "

Butter said he didn't let the nerve-racking experience of recording with a superstar get to him.

"I thought, 'There's a reason Toby Keith is on the other side of the glass, and that's because of what you've been doing. You don't have to reinvent yourself,' " he said.

That idea also explains Trailer Choir's single "Rockin' the Beer Gut. Reinvention is unnecessary when people are proud of who they are.

" 'Rockin the Beer Gut' is our favorite," said Big Vinny. "It tells people to be proud and rock what you got. It's not just about beer guts."