SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ 429 Records) - Forty years into an iconic career that has produced dozens of timeless rock classics, legions of fans through continued touring and generations of admiring musical peers,
Little Feat has come roaring back up the pop charts with the release of "LITTLE FEAT & FRIENDS: JOIN THE BAND" which debuted this week on the Billboard Top 200 Chart at No 81. It's a historic moment for the band as they've achieved their highest chart debut ever. Executive-produced by Jimmy Buffett, JOIN THE BAND finds the original members of
Little Feat re-recording their classic songs such as "Fat Man in the Bathtub," "Dixie Chicken," "Sailing Shoes" and "Oh Atlanta" with the help of friends/musical fans Dave Matthews, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Chris Robinson, Brooks & Dunn, Bob Seger, Inara George,
Sonny Landreth, Bela Fleck,
Jimmy Buffett and others. "Little Feat & Friends: Join the Band" was released by 429 Records on August 26th.
The incredible sales story is buoyed by many factors including extensive viral marketing and cross promotions with guest artists, a multi-format embrace by radio of several tracks from the record ("Fat Man in the Bathtub" featuring Dave Matthews and "Dixie Chicken" featuring Vince Gill are two key tracks at both rock and country radio), rave reviews and aggressive retail promotions. The album had stellar debuts approaching the top of the sales charts at several key retail accounts such as Amazon (Top 5), Barnes & Noble (No 8), iTunes (No 16) and leading independent chain Newbury Comics (No 10). The band will embark on an extensive tour of the US beginning this month and continuing on into the fall.
Says Steve Vining, President of 429 Records and the Savoy Label Group: "It's gratifying for all of us who have loved Little Feat all these years to see 'JOIN THE BAND' receiving such a phenomenal debut. All of us at 429 want to thank the group and all the great guest artists who have helped make this album such a spectacular success."
A distinctive and eclectic blend of rock, funk, folk, jazz, country, rockabilly, and New Orleans swamp boogie, Little Feat's musical style was forged when Lowell George was fired from Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention and told to form his own band. Bill Payne, Richie Hayward and Roy Estrada joined with him to create Little Feat, a band that would continue recording, touring and transcending musical boundaries long after the tragic and premature death of its founder. JOIN THE BAND is a true collaboration amongst stellar talents and adds another amazing chapter to their considerable legacy.
