Published: November 19, 2009 06:28 am      

Carroll's new album is broad and personal

New album to be released Saturday

Huntington — Bud Carroll says the songs on his new album “Wasted Words and Best of Intentions” reflect a diverse range of influences and come from an extremely personal place.

“There are a lot of different genres on the new CD,” Carroll said, listing audible influences from gritty southern rock to hard-core country and power pop.

“Wasted Words and Best of Intentions” will be released Saturday at Shamrock’s Pub, 2050 Third Ave., with free copies of the CD as well as a DVD of a live performance at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland for everyone who attends. Bill Fox, described by Carroll as “an awesome, awesome, awesome songwriter,” will open the show.

“This guy is like the secret big star,” Carroll said of Fox.

Carroll, 27, got his first guitar in fourth grade, motivated by his dad’s classic rock album collection with artists including Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck. He also found the cover of Atlanta Rhythm Section’s “Red Tape” to be fascinating.

“I used to look at that and think, ‘That’s amazing. I’ve got to do this,’” he recalled.

As he learned to play, Carroll said he discovered music from Metallica, Nirvana and “the Seattle scene” that rejected the mainstream concept of rock and roll.

Carroll began gaining attention as a guitarist early, and his approach to the instrument was unintentionally guided by low-volume playing indoors, along with misunderstanding of his first amplifier’s distortion channel. When he had a chance to turn that amp up, Carroll said he used a quarter as a pick and high volume settings on the “clean” channel to get the crunch he heard on rock records.

“It was really helpful because I had to find that tone with my hands,” he said, chuckling as he remembered discovering the little Peavey amp actually had plenty of distortion available at the push of a button.

By 13 Carroll was playing with more experienced musicians, who he credits for teaching him lessons he still carries on to every stage. He credits “lifelong friend” and bassist Terry Durhammer for his approach to guitar solos, explaining the bass player emphasized the concept of “go until you’re done.”

Years later, Carroll has recorded many tracks and is often recognized for his major-label release “American Minor.” Carroll’s latest album with his band, the Southern Souls, was recorded in Athens, Ohio, with producer Eddie Ashworth, who has previously worked with bands including Great White, Dio and Izzy Stradlin. Carroll said the project was greatly assisted by input from students at Ohio University.

“It took a long time to make,” Carroll said of the new album. “Eddie and I kind of went nuts with the overdubs.”

Members of the Southern Souls — drummer Steve Barker, bassist and vocalist Jimmy Lykens and keyboard player Jon Cavendish, each made outstanding contributions to “Wasted Words and Best of Intentions,” Carroll said, adding the first single “Big Coal” was co-written by himself and Lykens.

Music by Carroll and the Southern Souls can also be heard by visiting myspace.com/budcarroll.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.