Artist description Winners of the NAIRD 'Rock Album of the Year,' Loose Diamonds are considered Austin's premier rock group. All lyrics and music are written by co-leaders, Troy Campbell and 'Scrappy' Jud Newcomb. Guitar grounded, their repertoire consists of both electric and acoustic driven songs. Campbell, representing the band's more roots-oriented component, kicks in with power ballads and sensitive, anthemic works that marry Springsteen's heart to smooth and honeyed vocals. Newcomb, on the other hand, grinds out a rough-hewn, blues-based rock fare with raspy vocals that graft Steve Forbert to John Prine, and a tough, Texas guitar that bites in with all the torque of Keith Richards at his meanest and best.

Music Style Roots Rock

Musical Influences The Band Green on Red Los Lobos

Similar Artists True Believers Wilco

Artist History Loose Diamonds may have originated in Dayton, Ohio, (as The Highwaymen), but for their love of songs and songwriters and disregard of trends, they became perhaps the epitome of Austin bands. For their first Austin recording, 'Live Texas Radio,' a KUT Live Set, Campbell was the sole frontman. Before their next release, Newcomb started writing songs, and 'Burning Daylight,' their offical debut album, was released in 1993. After winning a NAIRD award for 1993's Rock Album of the Year and cultivating a growing following in Europe, they went on to release 'New Location.' 'New Location' further established their sound as American all the way, seemlessly blending elements of roots-rock, country, blues, folk and R&B into a unique musical signature. What music fans have always known, is that the Diamonds are equally brilliant at low volumes. Their most recent CD, 'Fresco Fiasco' is a 7-song acoustical recording, and was released first in Europe during a summer tour which included dates with Joe Ely and Bob Dylan. 'Fresco Fiasco' was produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb and was recognized as one of the Top 10 independent albums of the year by Neil Strauss in the New York Times.

Group Members Troy Campbell- Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Scrappy Jud Newcomb- Guitar, Vocals Mike Campbell- Bass Dana Myser & Ian Bailey- Drums

Albums Burning Daylight (dos) New Location (dos) Fresco Fiasco (Freedom)

Press Reviews 'Loose Diamonds are well known purveyors os seamless American music and they are growing and readying for the long haul. It definitely makes them 'a band to watch.' -Billboard 'The hardest roots rocking band in Austin, Texas' -Rolling Stone 'New Location further establishes Loose Diamonds as one of the country's most compelling purveyors of roots-based American rock 'n' roll.' -Seattle Post Intelligencer 'It's town-hall rock in the best sense of the phrase, a sense that far exceeds the limitations of the 'Austin band' label.' -Dallas Morning News

Additional Info Live Texas Radio (Jungle) Blue Days, Black Nights (Amazing)

Location Austin, Texas - USA

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