Sugar Lime Blue

Sugar Lime Blue is a Match Made in Musical Heaven.

There’s a Gypsy-like vibe to Ashley Beth’s singing voice that her husband recognized from the beginning.

Ashley and David make up the band called Sugar Lime Blue, which will perform Friday night at Brackins Blues Club in downtown Maryville. They’re not a blues band, per se, but they incorporate enough of all manner of roots-based genres that David’s guitar pyrotechnics and Ashley’s breathy, jazzy vocals will fit right at home on the Brackins stage.

“You get a mix of covers and originals,” Ashley told The Daily Times this week. “We like to frame our original songs with covers that fit the style of the band. People are not going to hear Top 40 songs or songs by other bar bands. I like to say we like to reintroduce people to their old favorite songs, but we do them our own way. We don’t like to do things verbatim; we like to jam — meaning we hang out in a song and let it morph into whatever it’s going to be. We don’t have a set script for our music.”

Of course, that’s how the best things in life go. There was no script to their relationship; the two were living in Texas, where David worked at Guitar Center, when a mutual friend suggested they meet.

“David and his band were looking for a female singer to come in and sing with their band; I saw Dave and thought he was cute, so I said, ‘OK — I’ll try this!’” she said with a laugh. “It went deeper fast.”

At the time, Ashley was in the middle of “a weird time” in her life; her role consisted primarily of providing female backup vocals for Dave’s band, but she loved being around the music scene, she added.

“I enjoyed being his cheerleader in the crowd out in the show, and that’s kind of what I wanted to do — help out however I could,” she said.

Eventually the two started collaborating on music together, but her husband slowly encouraged her to do more with her voice.

“He would say, ‘I don’t feel like I can sing this song; why don’t you sing it?’” she said. “I was really reluctant to begin with, because writing music is a baring of the soul. It’s a kind of nakedness, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to do that in front of people I didn’t know. He pushed me to tears, to anger and eventually to something really wonderful. He’s a good man who’s encouraged me to continue.”

As their musical relationship deepened, their personal one became more complex. They moved from Texas to Maine, where they married and bought a house; Dave’s job made for a long commute, and the two found that music had to be put on the back burner. They moved again to New Jersey, and eventually to Lebanon, Tenn., where they live today.

“We took off music for almost three years, and when we got back into it, we actually started writing,” Ashley said. “We started an independent rock band, and that was where we first started exploring where we want to go musically.”

Moving to Tennessee brought them closer to family, and as Sugar Lime Blue, they began to pull from three distinct American music forms: jazz, blues and country. They pulled from R&B (Otis Redding, Al Green and Bill Withers), jam bands (Little Feat, the Grateful Dead) and contemporary rock (Sheryl Crow, the Black Crowes) as well, managing to put a modern spin on a retro vibe.

“My step-dad actually first played drums in Sugar Lime Blue, so it was kind of a family thing,” Ashley said. “We got together, and me and Dave wrote music, and it was really a fun time. We decided we needed more material, so we wrote more and kept going, and we kept adding songs to the catalog.

“I feel like the music just sort of happens upon you — like, if you didn’t write it, somebody else was going to. It was already in the universe, and we just had to grab it. We kept feeling that push, and it was just a natural progression of things. It grew from me and Dave sitting in the living room, goofing off, to something that needed to be named and have a website.”

And, most importantly, something that needs to be experienced. Sugar Lime Blue is about the vibe as much as it is the music, Ashley said, and after a long day in downtown Maryville taking part in the Foothills Fall Festival, Sugar Lime Blue will be the perfect soundtrack to winding down with a beverage.

“We have a good time; we’re not super rocking or loud or heavy,” Ashley told The Daily Times this week. “We’re kind of mellow, but that doesn’t mean the music is always mellow. We just have a relaxing vibe to us.” - The Daily Times

The sultry lick of guitar and Ashley Beth’s vocal on the new Sugar Lime Blue track “Move That Earth” will suck you into a world of salty earth, country music and mystifyingly good instrumentation.

Sugar Lime Blue have cropped up on DrunkenWerewolf’s radar numerous times, thanks in part to their strenuous attack on the internet: this band have got an online image to die for. What keeps our attention however is Sugar Lime Blue’s talent for writing a tune; spitting fire at rock from the 60s and 70s and adding a special Nashville jaunt to proceedings. The results are clear on full length album Far from the Tree – a raucous, rolling release that plays to all of the band’s strengths.

Totalling over seven years working on the project, Ashley Beth is joined by Dave Beth and Russ Dean on guitar, Steven Brooks on drums and John Simpson on the all important steel guitar. - Drunken Werewolf

Move That Earth is the first single from the upcoming sophomore album by Sugar Lime Blue tentatively titled When Bullets Fail.

It is a top notch taste of twangy, yet soulful country rock that is reminiscent of classic Steve Earle, but also draws as much inspiration and feeling from Al Green as it does from Little Feat.

Have a listen. - Mad Mackeral

Sugar Lime Blue has been praised heavily in the Murfreesboro area, most often for an authentic, blues-heavy song craft and Ashley Beth’s full-bodied bluesy lilt to match. Far From The Tree, released earlier this year, validates both. Twelve tracks of blues range from hot and slow-dripping to gritty and fast-burning. It’s apparent that they know their blues, but they also clearly know the West as they channel the laidback California acoustic pop in addition to Deep South back porch sound; Far From The Tree sounds as if Sheryl Crow moved to the Mississippi Delta after her self-titled debut and went native.

Ashley Beth’s vocals are deep and expressive, reaching for notes with impressive range and soulfulness. She keeps an even alto through a lot of rollicking percussion, breezy acoustic and hot wiry licks, all of which are strongly reminiscent of Crow. Sometimes a Natalie Merchant influence slips in as well, like in the dark bass and intermittently bubbling keys paired with Beth’s dusky, smooth pipes in “Don’t Let it Bring You Down.” - Murfreesboro Pulsee

Sugar Lime Blue has been praised heavily in the Murfreesboro area, most often for an authentic, blues-heavy song craft and Ashley Beth’s full-bodied bluesy lilt to match. Far From The Tree, released earlier this year, validates both. Twelve tracks of blues range from hot and slow-dripping to gritty and fast-burning. It’s apparent that they know their blues, but they also clearly know the West as they channel the laidback California acoustic pop in addition to Deep South back porch sound; Far From The Tree sounds as if Sheryl Crow moved to the Mississippi Delta after her self-titled debut and went native.

Ashley Beth’s vocals are deep and expressive, reaching for notes with impressive range and soulfulness. She keeps an even alto through a lot of rollicking percussion, breezy acoustic and hot wiry licks, all of which are strongly reminiscent of Crow. Sometimes a Natalie Merchant influence slips in as well, like in the dark bass and intermittently bubbling keys paired with Beth’s dusky, smooth pipes in “Don’t Let it Bring You Down.” The band also offers some subtle flattery to Tennessee in “No Road Back to Texas.” Beth sings, “They say the sky in Texas stretches on forever/I like the one in Tennessee so much better.”

Sugar Lime Blue does best with its slow tempo jams and deadbeat bar blues numbers sung from the bottom of a bottle, particularly “I Don’t Have to Explain Myself.” That’s really the essence of the band—listenable bar music that combines earthy pop and old soul blues with strong, unwavering vocals. - Murfreesboro Pulse

Yes, I indeed did mention Nashville. However this is not a country act. Sit back, close your eyes and think about artists like the Grateful Dead, Little Feat, Edie Brickell and even Renaissance’s Annie Haslam. Now mix them in with R & B acts Al Green, Bill Withers, maybe some Otis etc. Ok, now you have the idea! - Cool Album of the Day

"'Far From the Tree' is one tight and funky blues-rock album with lead vocals by Ashley Beth that would make Edie Brickell drool. Dave's guitar licks often resemble the bluesier Clapton or the less-Latin Santana, with a slight possession by the ghost of Jerry Garcia. The record from start to finish takes me to an outdoor venue with a hazy purple cloud over my head and dancing with some hairy broad for some unknown reason... but loving it all-the-while. Track highlights are the beautiful country-rock ballad 'No Road Back To Texas', the soothing 'Happiness Falls' (serious Jerry licks here with great flashback organ), the funky intro 'Far From The Tree', and the splendid hard-rockin' finale 'One More Tomorrow'. For fans of both modern electric blues-rock and 70's classic rock alike!"
-Jayson Kohl ("The Eggman" The Metaphysical Circus - WSCA-LP 106.1 FM Portsmouth Community Radio, Porstmouth, NH) - WSCA 106.1FM

When I hear the name Sugar Lime Blue I think a unique hint of a little bit sweet and a little bit sour. But this band surely does not leave a sour taste in my mouth. This band is oh so sweet with a touch of soul. Their musical style is very unique. I would say it’s a beautiful blend of rock and blues. The band’s influences are Bill Withers, The Grateful Dead, Sheryl Crowe and the Black Crowe’s just to name a few. You can hear these influences in the flavor of their music. An old school sound with a modern day twist.

The red headed, sultry lead singer Ashley Beth sings with heart. But, sorry boys she’s taken. Ashley is married to Dave, the leader and guitarist of the band. They came up with the name of the band by throwing out ideas to each other. It was a joint effort and not an easy one at that. But when sugar lime rolled off Dave’s tongue, Ashley finished his sentence with blue and voila. Not only do they play in the band together but they co-write the songs as well. The other band members include Jonathan “Fence Post” Bradford (percussion and drums), Eric “Mudd” Johnson (bass guitar) and Mr. Al Plourde(keys). S.L.B. was formed 3 years ago but has gone through some changes. The current S.L.B. lineup met on craigslist and has been playing together for about a year. They are based out of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. They perform frequently around Nashville, Alabama, and Georgia. They play a various venues, festivals, and coffee shops which has gained them lots of attention. Their set list includes covers and originals. Some of the covers include “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Bill Withers) and one of my all time favorites “Come Together” (The Beatles). You can find a set list as well as their calendar at: sugarlimeblue.com.

I visited their webpage sugarlime.com and listened to their tunes. While listening I also discovered a breathtaking, artistic photo of Ashley holding a sugar lime blue, that is. I particularly like the song “Go Home”. The haunting sound of the keys struck a chord in my soul. The lyric “Go Home, Go Home Little Girl” has sadness but underlying hope. The guitar break in this song reminds me of a Santana lick. “Happiness” is also another must check out tune at: myspace.com/sugarlimeblue. You can definitely hear a Grateful Dead influence on this record. I love the groovy guitar parts. I felt like I was on a natural high, floating on the clouds of happiness. They have downloadable songs on both websites.

Sugar Lime Blue takes me back to a time when music was real and raw. This band has no gimmicks or costumes. They are just real musicians with real artistic expression. You can tell this bunch of modern day hippies are in love with recording, performing and overall just making music. They are currently unsigned but I’m sure not for long - Dream Row Entertainment; by Christina Porcelli – Freelance writer

The album covers what appears to be a well-aligned style of music that would fit the interests of most jamband fans. The band would probably be well received at any jamband or indie festival stage. - jambands.ca

Mount Juliet Jam Band taking it Regional

Sometimes with so many bands on the scene it can be tough to distinguish one from the next, but Mount Juliet’s own Sugar Lime Blue is looking to set themselves apart from the seemingly crowded scene.

In November the band takes it regional even though they have been on the scene for less then 6 months. Tour stops will land them in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, and even some smaller towns like Columbia, TN, in addition to monthly appearances around Nashville. The band already has plans to expand into Bowling Green,KY and many other regional venues.

Although relative newcomers to the scene, it seems like S.L.B. is always busy and by years end will have racked up well over 50 gigs in just over half years time. One thing that has kept them so busy is the bands ability to give a different look depending on each venue. Appearing as everything from a duet to a full 5 piece blues/rock/jam band each set up may produce a different sound but the results are the same; a growing fan base for a unique and upcoming band.

Showcasing originals that critics claim as “breakout material”, and being “one of those band with a definitive sound,” Sugar Lime Blue has played to its own strengths; smooth soulful vocals and a groovy vintage vibe. Mixing in underplayed covers from artists like Al Green, Otis Redding, The Grateful Dead, Three Dog Night and more you may never guess whats coming next, but you can bet it will get the hip SLB treatment!

Mount Juliet residents may want to check out the hometown rockers at their layed back monthly acoustic gig at Billy Goat Cafe in the Providence Shopping Center the first Friday of every month or visit www.sugarlimeblue.com for a full list of upcoming concert dates.
- Monday October 29th, 2007

Sugar Lime Blue took the stage and the night picked up. This Mt. Juliet based unit are fans of southern rock and jam band music's dream and easily were the show stealers. Look out for these guys because I predict you will hear their names again at some point in the not so distant future.

- The Settler