Debbie Forrest Byrd
Donie, Texas, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Without fail, the Houston Press Music Awards sneak up on us. Last year, when the HPMAs returned to the dog days of summer after a one-year Thanksgiving holiday, only a few short months fell between the 2011 trophies and 2012 nomination ballot. This time it's been several months longer, but feels just as short.
Funny thing. While Rocks Off was verifying the nominees these past couple of days we used iTunes a lot, to check release dates and such. Every kind of music you can find on iTunes you can also find live in Houston music venues. We think that says something pretty great about our city.
And a lot of this music is worth saluting, which is where we come in. What you're about to read is 164 nominations across 34 categories, and it still doesn't feel like enough. Sadly, Houston is far too big for even this ballot to include everyone who deserves to be nominated, and our sincere apologies to those folks. So we have to ask... who did we leave off?
The ballot will be live tomorrow; of course we'll let you know when that happens. Congratulations to all this year's nominees.
BEST LOCAL RECORDING
American Fangs, American Fangs
Grandfather Child, Grandfather Child
Grievous Angels, Grievous Angels
The Niceguys, James Kelley
Oceans of Slumber, Aetherial
Venomous Maximus, Beg Upon the Light
BEST FOLK/AMERICANA
Buxton
Grand Old Grizzly
Grievous Angels
Second Lovers
Shotgun Funeral
- Houston Press
"Having a band grab my attention with no advance notice happens very rarely these days. An exception happened in the form of The Grievous Angels at the Spring Crawfish Festival. These ladies got a rockin' country bluesey blender of good stuff in their bag of tricks and definitely merit your attention.............Houston Music Review all over this band and eagerly await their gig at Houston's cozy haunt , McGonigel's Mucky Duck, on May 7th!" - Houston Music Review, Eddie "Edge" Ferranti
"Having a band grab my attention with no advance notice happens very rarely these days. An exception happened in the form of The Grievous Angels at the Spring Crawfish Festival. These ladies got a rockin' country bluesey blender of good stuff in their bag of tricks and definitely merit your attention.............Houston Music Review all over this band and eagerly await their gig at Houston's cozy haunt , McGonigel's Mucky Duck, on May 7th!" - Houston Music Review, Eddie "Edge" Ferranti
"As far as we can tell, they are the greatest country music all-female trio that Houston has ever produced." Shea Serrano, Houston Press
- Shea Serrano, The Houston Press (Feb 15, 2012) - Houston Press
"As far as we can tell, they are the greatest country music all-female trio that Houston has ever produced." Shea Serrano, Houston Press
- Shea Serrano, The Houston Press (Feb 15, 2012) - Houston Press
"...here's hoping that this worthy angel finally breaks through." (July/Aug '12) - Indie Mag
"Forrest, as of this writing is overdue for a follow-up album, but when it arrives it will be spectacular if the debut offering is any indication."
- Lucky Boyd, My Texas Music (Oct 10, 2008) - My Texas Music
"Forrest, as of this writing is overdue for a follow-up album, but when it arrives it will be spectacular if the debut offering is any indication."
- Lucky Boyd, My Texas Music (Oct 10, 2008) - My Texas Music
"So, catch her now while you can, and don’t be surprised if Debbie is keeping a close eye on you while she performs. Debbie does some of her songwriting while on stage. "
- John Winder, The Cypress Times (Aug 18, 2008) - The Cypress Times
"So, catch her now while you can, and don’t be surprised if Debbie is keeping a close eye on you while she performs. Debbie does some of her songwriting while on stage. "
- John Winder, The Cypress Times (Aug 18, 2008) - The Cypress Times
"It’s a burning ring of fire [wink] of thick, campy storylines, sultry vocals and (mostly) adult lyrics. Needless to say, we’re fans. And in a city that’s seen its share of successful Americana acts, yet another is making her mark: Debbie Forrest."
- S. Serrano, Houston Press (Nov 13, 2008) - Houston Press
"By sheer luck, this town got wind of this talented performer and now we’re trying to hold her... exhibited a voice that is lonesome and honest like a train...offers a certain yearning for a place to belong, a home""
- Nicole Zaza, Envy Magazine (Oct 07, 2009) - Envy Magazine
"By sheer luck, this town got wind of this talented performer and now we’re trying to hold her... exhibited a voice that is lonesome and honest like a train...offers a certain yearning for a place to belong, a home""
- Nicole Zaza, Envy Magazine (Oct 07, 2009) - Envy Magazine
"Train Song stands tall on soulful stories, powerful vocals and a personal feel that mirrors Ashley Cleveland more than any Sunday morning fare. "
- Matt Conner, CCM (Apr 01, 2011) - CCM
Discography
The Grievous Angels - July 16th, 2013
Traded In (Single) - May 20, 2012
The One In Black (Single) - January 7th, 2012
Baby It Hurts (Single) - July 19, 2011
The Train Song - December 7th, 2010
Long Ride Home - May 8th, 2004
Photos
Bio
Its a burning ring of fire [wink] of thick, campy storylines, sultry vocals and (mostly) adult lyrics. Needless to say, were fans. And in a city thats seen its share of successful Americana acts, yet another is making her mark: Debbie Forrest. - S. Serrano, Houston Press
Most listeners would tell you that Debbies strength is in her performance in her live shows. The sensitivity and emotion combined with her rich, haunting voice are enticing, but for Debbie its much more about the song than a performance. Each song has its own story and life that can never be told the same way twice, and a good singer is only as good as the song they sing. To Debbie, diversity is essential to keeping life interesting. Debbies main musical influences also share this wandering spirit. She looks to artists such as Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Nicole Nordeman and Patty Griffin as inspiration for their commitment to creativity and risk taking as well as their staying power over the years. Debbies songs are rooted in faith and burned by trial.
With two full length releases (Long Ride Home 04 & The Grievous Angels 13), an EP (The Train Song ), and several single releases under her belt, Debbie feels like shes only scratched the surface, but with several TV placements and a title track cut on Tina Adair Bands bluegrass release at the beginning of 2013, she is hopeful. Debbie plays regularly in every place from churches, to bars and coffeehouses, to regular appearances at a women prisons.
Debbie continues her own musical journey through her commitment to exploration and adventure in the creative process. Whether anyone is listening or not, she plans to continue on this path for many years to come, and believes her writing can only get better as more life stories are made.
Band Members
Links
