Cary Hudson

Cary Hudson entered the world in Sumrall, MS, a modest town shaped by its churches. During those early years the aspiring artist absorbed an eclectic range of sounds that encompassed gospel hymns, blues, and country music. Toward the close of the 1980s he assembled the Hilltops alongside Laurie Stirratt and John Stirratt; the ensemble soon became known as Blue Mountain. After crisscrossing the American South and issuing a single album, John Stirratt departed to establish Uncle Tupelo. Blue Mountain carried on as a trio anchored by drummer Frank Coutch and went on to produce four albums, among them the 1999 Roundrunner release Tales of a Traveler. The unit disbanded in 2001, having first put out Roots. Hudson’s debut solo effort, The Phoenix, surfaced on Black Dog Records in 2002. He has appeared on bills with Steve Earle and with Marah, the band he first encountered in 1998 and later assisted in securing a recording contract. Extensive travels have taken him across the United States and Europe, including a three-week German trek completed in spring 2002. Two years afterward Cool Breeze emerged on Black Dog.