RAIFORD STARKS AND SARAH McCULLOCH SINGER SONGWRITER

SARAH McCULLOCH

Sarah McCulloch is a Country/Americana Singer-Songwriter whose sweet, yet sultry, voice pierces right through the lush traditional country production on her latest album, Sawmiller’s Daughter. The songwriter’s emotive and nostalgic lyrics showcase her knack for timeless storytelling that transports the listener right into the center of the narrative.

Renowned journal of roots music, No Depression cited McCulloch as being, “one of the most memorable debuts in recent Americana music history,” and her sound as,  “genuine and sparkl[ing] with palpable emotion.” McCulloch’s style has also been described as being, “immensely human and emotive, bringing fine lyrical content to even more vivid life.” The lead singles releasing ahead of the album, including “Honey To A Bear” and “Half Crazy”, are steeped in country tradition and boast the kind of sentimental storytelling and tender vocal stylings that get under your skin. Fans of Dolly Parton, Lori McKenna, Miranda Lambert and Lee Ann Womack will surely connect with this evocative and timely song-wielding woman.​

Sawmiller’s Daughter was what McCulloch akins to a labor of love. The production of the album was postponed due to COVID, as well as McCulloch’s divorce and a cross-country move back to South Florida after living in the Western New York area for over a decade. “Like so many songwriters, I played the adversity to my creative advantage,” says McCulloch, “This album was written and rewritten… the songs weren’t done until I had the experiences I needed to have for completion.”

Born in Miami, Florida and raised in the Everglades, McCulloch grew up on her father’s sawmill, surrounded by the remote property that is now part of the Big Cypress National Preserve. “My father was a force of nature, he was a pioneer who was always growing spiritually,” says McCulloch. “He taught me the meaning of hard work and perseverance.” The title track of the album pays homage to that sentiment as well as McCulloch’s unique upbringing and country roots.

McCulloch’s debut album, Strawberry Moon (2018), received radio airplay in the U.S. and internationally, as well as amassed glowing reviews from many notable publications including No Depression Magazine and Gashouse Radio. In 2018, Strawberry Moon also gained top recognition as a nominee at the Independent Music Awards in NYC in the Country category, in which McCulloch was the only female artist to be nominated.

After living in upstate New York for over a decade, McCulloch has returned to her homeland of south Florida and has her feet firmly planted in the solid foundation she has built by sharing her life stories through song with a spirit of relatable honesty, fervor and warmth. “I became very serious about writing in my late thirties when I was at the end of a difficult time in my life,” says McCulloch, “I was very, very homesick for my home state of Florida. ‘Sugartown’ and the title track, ‘Sawmiller’s Daughter’ were written around that time. It was very healing for me and helped me transition into a new life.” ​

From listening rooms and theatres to gin-joints and festivals, McCulloch is enthralling audiences far and wide with her personable musical mosaic and unforgettable voice married with meaningful songs. In the Fall of 2021, McCulloch signed with Lady Savage MGMT & PR and will be releasing several singles with accompanying visual content leading up to the 2022 release of her sophomore album, Sawmiller’s Daughter. Follow @sarahmacsongs on Instagram and visit www.sarahmacmusic.com for all of the latest updates and info about upcoming releases!

RAIFORD STARKE

Some astute fans were asked which two artists they would combine to describe one Raiford Starke, and they said:

“John Prine meets Ted Nugent.”

“Merle Travis meets Link Ray.”

“Jimmy Page meets Jerry Reed.”

“Doc Watson meets Johnny Guitar Watson.”

Actually, Raiford Starke is nothing if not David Allan Coe meets Jimi Hendrix, an outlaw country folk singer steeped in southern rock and psychedelic blues guitar. He’s an American original.

Colin Kenny is proud of his real name, but got stuck with the gallows humor of “Raiford Starke” long ago, branded by prison walls without ever having walked through their gates. It’s a Florida brand, the duo of state pens in the name recognizable to locals and fans of Ol’ Sparky, but Raiford Starke’s only crime is indecent distortion.