CASSINO

In April 2005, Cassino was birthed from the remnants of the two principle songwriters of the Alabama rock group Northstar…an inevitably organic genesis that came to light through a creative bond that existed for numerous years between childhood friends Nick Torres and Tyler Odom. They began recording their first album in 2006 with Nashville-based producer/drummer Craig Krampf, known for his work with artists including Dolly Parton, Alabama, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Perry and Melissa Etheridge. While the record doesn’t have a specifically Nashville sound, the city did become prevalent in the making of their debut record “Sounds of Salvation,” both as a new environment to inspire songwriting, and in the cast of characters brought in by Krampf. “Salvation” was soon blessed by the contributions of E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent and legendary saxophonist Jim Horn. Released independently on March 29, 2007, “Sounds of Salvation” is the fruit of this blending of various states and sounds. After touring the U.S. in support of the album, Cassino settled down and started working on another full length record in the beginning of 2008. Odom exited the process (he now plays with the group Destry), and Torres teamed up to write primarily with Alabama native and long time friend Edward Puckett. Puckett filled in on bass for the earlier Cassino tours, and through constant exposure, they found that their similar tastes and different styles complimented each other well. They set up shop in a small apartment, and wrote and recorded for most of 2008. The city of Nashville this time found it’s way into the recording process through the contributions of friends and session/touring musicians Kevin Arrowsmith (fiddle, banjo, mandolin) Tripper Ryder (bass) and Craig Krampf (Drums,percussion). This newest endeavor became “Kingprince”. It was released in December of 2009. An E.P. of unreleased versions of songs from the Kingprince sessions is due out at the beginning of 2011.