Artist description The birth of the Blues, Rock n' Roll, and Country music happened in the American south within a 30 mile radius. "REBEL HEARTS" fuses all three with their own unique sound they call "MOUNTAIN COUNTRY". Listen closely to "EVERYTHING TO ME" and you can hear the ghost of The King. The voice on this cut belongs to Darren Castle. "I'm a balladeer at heart," he confesses. I just love a soulful ballad anything that let's me express a real emotion." From the reaction of the women in the audience when this heartthrob sings "BORN AGAIN BACHELOR" and "WRANGLER WALK", they love it too. And when he sings the very special "DADDY'S DREAM", everyone feels the tender emotion. Add Rebel Angel, Laura Angelini into the mix and there is magic in the air. Her electrifying energy and passion for "MOUNTAIN COUNTRY" rocks any stage. Her rousing rendition of the Everly Brothers classic hit, "WHEN WILL I BE LOVED" strikes a beautiful sentimental chord. And when she launches into the dance hit, "HARD ROCK HOTEL" and "HE ROCKS MY WORLD" it's impossible to stay in your seat.Don McDowell is the founder of "REBEL HEARTS" and the third member of this creative force. He originally established House of Tunes (H.O.T.) Entertainment in Vancouver, British Columbia, (now a US company based in Reno, Nevada) and helped launch the return of the award-winning Canadian group, Rebel Phoenix (formerly ALIBI). He also created McD's Mountain Music in Reno, Nevada. Don is a past volunteer coordinator for the NSAI, Nashville Songwriter's Association International. The affiliation led Don to establish a Nevada workshop for songwriters. Don wrote the heart-tugging "DADDY'S DREAM", the wild "WRANGLER WALK" and the Hard Rock approved "HARD ROCK HOTEL". Like Darren and Laura, Don loves to perform. When he kicks into his own "WRANGLER WALK" and wild, country rockin' 2-step "BROKE THE MOLD" he's feeling the music with all his soul. Las Vegas is not only home to the National Finals Rodeo and the world's only Hard Rock Hotel, it is also Laura's home. In fact, Nevada is home for all three Rebel Hearts. Darren and Don live in the Mountain Country of Reno. In Nevada, when Country's Rockin the Hard Rock, its homegrown Mountain country from Rebel Hearts.

Music Style Mountain Country

Group Members Darren Castle: Exciting new talents have been discovered at Schwaab's and on Star Search, but when's the last time you heard of someone going straight from the karaoke bar to recording studio? That's the case with Darren Castle, who turned a dare from his friends into a country-music career with unlimited possibilities. The rugged northern-California native says he had only been "a star in my own shower" until pals, after hearing him croon along with country tunes on the radio, secretly entered him in a karaoke contest "Basically, my friends bullied me up there," says the dark-haired singer, of his first time on stage, in 1994. They were glad they did, especially when he walked away with the night's prize. Over the next year, he kept winning local events, working his way up to the top of the Pioneer Karaoke Music Awards. Winning another contest, at the American Dream Festival, meant getting a trip to the Bahamas and a recording contract with Gateway Records in Nashville, Tennessee. "I hadn't planned this," he recalls, "but I just started getting all this encouragement from family and friends." At the same time, Darren hooked up with producer-songwriter Don McDowell, who had his own record company and publishing house, based just across the Sierra mountain range, in Reno, Nevada. McDowell saw that the singer's natural on-stage charisma could be applied to music that was both original and performed live. Next thing he knew, Castle was working on new tunes with musicians from Oregon, California, and British Columbia, and the band Rebel Hearts was born. With Darren sharing vocals with Laura Angelini, the group's debut album, Runnin' Free, has just been released on McDowell's House Of Tunes label. An early high point, in late 1996, was opening for singer Clay Walker at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico, California. Now, though, the Hearts are working on fresh tunes and videos for the existing ones, such as the tender "Daddy's Dream," an emotional solo for Darren Castle."I'm a balladeer at heart," he confesses. "I just love a soulful ballad – anything that let's me express a real emotion." That appears to be no problem for the singer, who pretty much lives to perform. "I don't know why, but I've never had an ounce of stagefright. When I get up there, I'm just so into the song, and the audience becomes a big part of it. I've even been known to leave the stage and serenade somebody in the crowd." Obviously, the women in the audience are notably responsive to this technique, but Castle has a straightforward quality that appeals to all types of listeners, even people not into traditional country music."We call it Mountain Music, because it sounds like where I'm from, outside of Lake Oroville. When I'm singing, I'm thinking of the mountains and the water, of cowgirls, fishing, and riding horses. Mainly, I'm thinking of my own life, and I think that's something a lot of folks can relate to." Castle says his style draws on everything from old-time outlaw Merle Haggard to mellow new-country star Colin Raye. "There are a lot of fiddles and acoustic instruments," he explains, "but it's toe-tappin' music, too, with a strong pop feel. Right from the start, some people have said, 'You can't do this,' and 'You can't do that,' but our music isn't conventional." In fact it's likely to get even more original, as he keeps bouncing between home, Vancouver, and Reno to develop a deeper repertoire for himself and Rebel Hearts. "It's all in-house music," concludes Castle. "It's a very creative situation, and it just keeps getting better." He still sings in the shower, of course, but these days, he's finding more and more people listening from the other side of the curtain. Laura Angelini: How does a girl from the Bronx get to sing in a hot new country band? Easy, you work hard, you train hard, and you sing with every ounce of passion you have. Laura Angelini's parents spotted their daughter's talent while shopping in a supermarket when she was just three years old. They were pushing her in a cart when their toddler began to sing a BEATLES song. Her mother and father were completely amazed to further discover that their daughter not only knew all the lyrics to a medley of songs, but she had the melodies down perfect. Laura laughs as she reflects on this early memory, "It's easy to do what you love," she says. And Laura Angelini loves to sing. "It just seemed so natural to sing. It's part of who I am." During her teens she studied dance, took voice, participated in talent shows, and got involved in musical theater. Anywhere there was music; one was likely to find Laura. Later on she landed some plumb theatrical roles. She played Mary in "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR", Ellie in "SHOWBOAT", and Beedle-Dee Dee and Kit Kat Girl in "CABARET". What inspires Laura Angelini? "Great performance and passion. That's where it all comes from. I've always had the drive." Anyone who's seen this lady sing will agree. She puts everything into her songs. She lives the words she's singing.Laura has toured with some of the biggest names in music. She was ANDY WILLIAMS only backup singer during his 1988 Christmas Tour. She's opened for the band "WAR", and for the great blues singer/songwriter, guitarist, ROBERT CRAY. Inspired by BARBRA STREISAND, BONNIE RAITE, and TINA TURNER, Laura understands that great songs begin with the written word. And she's passionate about writing, having co-written "HE ROCKS MY WORLD" with Fred Samson, singer/songwriter whose hits include the lead platinum cut on "BOSTON'S" last album. "I want to sing songs that I care about, songs that I can relate to. That's why writing is important to me. I chose country because the songs tell a story".The founder of the "REBEL HEARTS", Don McDowell, discovered her singing good old rock 'n roll and knew this lady had country in her soul. Don can spot talent a mile away and he'd had his eye on Laura for some time. Laura has so much talent, she's an artist and can internalize when she sings. She connects emotionally with her audience.Don introduced Laura to Darren Castle and they christened her "Rebel Angel". Together the three created their own unique sound they call "MOUNTAIN COUNTRY". When "Rebel Angel" takes to the stage and delivers her rendition of the classic EVERLY BROTHERS song, "WHEN WILL I BE LOVED", and her "HARD ROCK HOTEL" it's easy to see that this beautiful lady from the Bronx was born to sing country. DON McDOWELL: grew up in the rugged mountain country of extreme Northern California. Within the shadow of majestic Mount Shasta, in the small town of Yreka, he and his twin brother, Dennis spent much of their time exploring, fishing and living an idyllic Huck Finn kind of existence. Don liked to listen to ELVIS, THE BEATLES, and CAT STEVENS, and even as a young boy, the love for music began to fill his heart. PRESLEY'S rendition of "CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE", moved him like no other song, and he knew way back then that he would involve himself in the world of music. Years passed and then fate intervened. An old high school friend of Don's mother contacted her, and Don was reacquainted with her son, DARREN CASTLE. Darren and Don shared the same roots, Darren too having been raised in Yreka. But it wasn't until years later that they discovered they had the same interests in creating and recording mountain country music. Darren had just begun to actively pursue his professional singing career, winning numerous vocal awards. Simultaneously Don had also immersed himself in a musical career north of the border in Vancouver, British Columbia. There, he created House of Tunes Entertainment, and helped launch the return of the award winning Canadian Country group Rebel Phoenix, formerly ALIBI. In his adopted home, Reno, Nevada Don established his own record publishing company, McD's Mountain Music. He also became a volunteer coordinator for the NSAI, Nashville Songwriter's Association International. The affiliation led Don to establish a Nevada workshop for songwriters to help foster new talent. "Song writing is in essence story telling," Don explains. "In the purest sense, it's writing with images. And when you take it to the next level, there's depth to the imagery that touches the listener; add a great hook and that's the difference between a classic and a hit song." Don can spot talent a mile away. When he first saw Darren Castle perform he knew he'd found a not-yet-discovered star. "Darren has just got it. What he's got you can't teach, you can't even explain it. You either have it or you don't. And Darren has it in spades. When he performs he captivates you. The audience internalizes their own unique memories and experience what Darren is singing. It's a rare talent. All the great ones have it. They reach out and touch you. Hugh Prestwood wrote a song that expressed it best, "THE SONG REMEMBERS WHEN". Don had a dream. "I had a vision of creating a country group that represented passionate spirits not yet tamed. A group that spoke to the thirty-something crowd." One key element was still missing, but Don knew where to find it. He'd been keeping his eye on the career of a very talented woman, LAURA ANGELINI. "Laura had the same magic that Darren Castle has. She held the room captive wherever she performed. She was beautiful and talented. Now I had Daisy meets The Dukes of Hazard! I introduced Laura to Darren and it was magic. We had a group. REBEL HEARTS is the manifestation of my vision." "I wanted a sound that was different yet familiar. A touch of the Eagles, Garth Brooks, and Elvis with a lot of Laura, Darren and Don thrown in. We call our sound Mountain Country Music'. Don put his writing talents to work, he wrote the heart-tugging "DADDY'S DREAM", the wild "WRANGLER'S WALK" and Hard Rock approved "HARD ROCK HOTEL".

Albums "Runnin Free"

Press Reviews For Immediate Release"When Will I Be Loved"Rebel Hearts New Single & Video!{RENO, NV} Friday, May 12, 2000: 'Rebel Hearts', a country vocal group based in Reno, is releasing their new radio single and video "When Will I Be Loved" this week to national secondary markets, with an add date of June 16/19 scheduled for Billboard and R&R."This highly energized version of "When Will I Be Loved" really moves", says Rebel Hearts singer Darren Castle. "Laura is amazing! Her lead vocal performance makes you want to jump up and sing along!" adds fellow Rebel Heart Don McDowell, who sings back-up for Laura on this one and also co-produced the track.The "When Will I Be Loved" video performed by "Rebel Hearts" has been sent exclusively to Great American Country (GAC) this week for review and broadcast consideration. The Video was filmed in the Reno/Tahoe area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.Rebel Hearts are finalizing their much anticipated sophomore project. "Darren and I are very excited about our new record, "Rebel Hearts" - 'Not Yet Tamed!' We've blended a heavy rotation of dynamic dance & mountain country rock tunes with a select group of powerful ballads", say's singing partner Don McDowell, who wrote most of the songs and is co-producer for "Rebel Hearts". The project has been re-scheduled for release in mid summer on House of Tunes (HOT) Record's.Welcome to Mountain Country!

Additional Info Watch our Mountain Country Video Now Airing on Great American Country!!!!!!

Location Reno, Nv - USA

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