Robert Earl Keen's New CD, "What I Really Mean", Set for May 10 Release on Koch Records

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FOLLOW-UP TO "FARM FRESH ONIONS"
PRODUCED BY RICH BROTHERTON AND MIXED BY ED CHERNEY

Legendary singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen recently completed his 11th album project in a Burbank studio with Grammy Award-winning engineer Ed Cherney (Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy). Set for release May 10, 2005, "What I Really Mean" features special guests Ray Price (vocals), Danny Barnes (banjo) and is sprinkled with some eclectic touches (gospel singers and Mariachi players among them).

As was the case with REK's critically acclaimed 2003 Koch Records debut, "Farm Fresh Onions", the new project was recorded with his road band, enhancing the listening experience and capturing the excitement of a live performance. Rich Brotherton, who has been REK's lead guitarist for several years, produced the record, marking his second production effort for REK. Brotherton has been listed among the 100 best guitar players in America by several publications and has worked with Shawn Colvin, Toni Price, Ronnie Lane and Eliza Gilkyson to name a few.

Keen has inspired much praise from music critics over the years. Rolling Stone wrote of "Farm Fresh Onions": "Keen takes a page from Lucinda Williams, backing up his unassuming, dusky tunes with punchy guitars and well-manicured country-rock grooves" Billboard added: "Keen has delivered one of the best records of his career." Performing Songwriter called it "A compelling collection of songs stamped with Keen's trademark mix of lyricism, breezy humor and intelligence." And No Depression observed: "A very funny, clever and ambitious writer...Keen sounds here like an artist renewed." Keen has also been a stalwart presence on late-night television and NPR.

Cherney, who mixed the recording, has distinguished himself as a recording and mixing engineer as well as a producer. His R&B roots in Chicago served as a solid foundation for his later work with such rock and pop artists as Bob Dylan, the B-52's and Roy Orbison. He received a Grammy for Engineer of the Year for Bonnie Raitt's "Longing In Their Hearts".

The first single, the title track "What I Really Mean," will ship to radio on March 23.

"'Farm Fresh Onions' turned out so great that Rich and I immediately decided to make another record," Keen says. "The first person we called was Ed Cherney. He's the MVP. We like Ed's version of our vision."

For more information on Robert Earl Keen and his new project visit www.robertearlkeen.com or www.kochrecords.com.

Keen will headline the Americana Music Association Showcase at SXSW on Thursday, March 17, at 12 midnight at Antone's in Austin. Keen and band will hit the road in early spring only to return home at year's end.