Album Notes

Shelby Receives Praises from Music Row's main man, Robert Oermann "Shelby’s Sweet Tea CD leads off with this gentle rumination on small-town life (”Round Here”). His slightly unsteady tenor vocal is pleasing, his songwriting is quite affecting and the acoustic production is dandy. Welcome to Music Row, kid. -Robert Oermann Shelby Merchant's debut album Sweet Tea will provide a thirst quenching variety of music centered around core country values. Shelby takes the listener through a series of hometown tours, serious subject matter, and at times comedy induced tunes, guaranteed to entertain fans of most genres. Don't look for cliche`ed lyrics watered down with "baby baby, I love yous." There is solid sustenance to each melody, lyric and vocal phrase to each of his songs. For sure, Shelby Merchant will please your listening palate. Somewhere between contemporary sounds of today's music and remnants of yesterday's traditional forms, you will find a new artist and songwriter emerging from the Nashville scene. Shelby Merchant, encouraged to make the journey from his place of raising in Raleigh, NC, now mingles in the ever popular melting pot of songwriters and artist alike. Ranging from serious to the lighter side of things, Shelby takes the influences of life experiences, observations, and fictional scenarios to cultivate ideas behind the lyrics in his songs. Look for him to captivate you with a voice of precision and dynamics, while carefully crafting each story and mood in an individual style of down home flavor. If you are looking for original music with eclectic taste you will find Shelby Merchant quite satisfying. So come hungry. In a business that makes idols, egos, and monetary objects out of ordinary people, Shelby insists a career path that's simply "guided by faith in God, fueled by support of family and friends, and driven by audiences who share the same passion for music." Enjoy the ride of this unique songwriter through the early stages in his career to the sure bright future waiting for him just around the corner. I would greatly appreciate your support! -Shelby Merchant