Randy Weeks

Randy Weeks is an American singer and songwriter. Lucinda Williams (who covered Weeks' song "Can't Let Go") has said: "Randy Weeks writes amazingly well crafted, beautifully melodic songs and delivers them with his own brand of laid back vocals and surfboard cool, very hip approach."[1]

Randy Weeks
Birth nameRandall Barry Weeks
BornWindom, Minnesota
GenresRock music, country music, blues music
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1986–present
LabelsHighTone Records, Certifiable Records
Websiterandyweeks.com

Biography

Weeks was born and raised in Windom, Minnesota. He first played the drums, and by age 16 he performed in a local country band. Weeks moved to Minneapolis, where he switched to guitar, and played in hard rock bands. He then moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his music career.[2][3]

Lonesome Strangers

After Weeks met Jeff Rymes, they formed the Los Angeles country-rock band Lonesome Strangers.[4] In 1985, the Strangers recorded their first album, Lonesome Pine (Wrestler). Pete Anderson included the band on the compilation album A Town South of Bakersfield.[5] After that, Hightone offered them a contract and they cut the album The Lonesome Strangers and Land of Opportunity in 1997.[6]

Session work and songwriting

Weeks toured with Dwight Yoakam, and contributed vocals to Yoakam's albums Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room and Under the Covers.[7] He sang and played on the 1989 self-titled album by Chris Gaffney and the Cold Hard Facts, which featured Weeks' song "I Was Just Feeling Good."

Solo career

Weeks' debut solo album Madeline was released by HighTone Records in 2000. It also featured Tony Gilkyson (guitar), Kip Boardman (bass), and Don Heffington (drums).[8]

Weeks' "Can’t Let Go" was the sole cover song and biggest hit on Lucinda Williams’ Grammy-winning album, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.[9] The song was also performed by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on their 2021 album Raise the Roof.

From 2002 until 2006, Weeks played bi-monthly Saturday gigs at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. When film director Peter Farrelly saw Weeks perform there, he included a Weeks song on the Shallow Hal film soundtrack. Other films such as Stuck on You, Sunshine State, and Jack Frost also feature Weeks’ songs.[2]

Weeks self-released Sold Out at the Cinema in 2004,[4] and followed it with Sugarfinger (produced by Jamie Candiloro) in 2006.[10]

Upon relocating to Austin, Texas from Los Angeles in 2007, Weeks signed with Certifiable Records, and released the album Going My Way in 2009. Helping out were Will Sexton, Eliza Gilkyson, Cindy Cashdollar, Rick Richards, and Mark Hallman.[2]

Discography

Solo Recordings
  • 2000: Madeline (HighTone)[11]
  • 2004: Sold Out at the Cinema (self-released)
  • 2006: Sugarfinger (self-released)[12]
  • 2009: Going My Way (Certifiable)[13]

The Lonesome Strangers
Main article: The Lonesome Strangers
  • 1986: Lonesome Pine (Wrestler)[14]
  • 1989: The Lonesome Strangers (HighTone)[15]
  • 1997: Land Of Opportunity (Mercury)[16]

As composer

Also appears on

References
  1. "Randy Weeks". Sonicbids. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  2. Cary Baker. "Randy Weeks Bio". Conqueroo. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  3. Nichole Wagner (March 12, 2009). "10 Questions: Randy Weeks". Uncommon Music. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  4. Jesse Fox Mayshark (August 31, 2003). "Randy Weeks - Hello, Stranger". No Depression. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  5. Jack Hurst (July 23, 1989). "From Disband To Band: The Story Of Lonesome Strangers". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  6. Erlewine, Michael (1997). All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music. ISBN 9780879304751. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  7. "HighTone Signs Randy Weeks". CMT. August 8, 2003. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  8. Buzz Mcclain (April 30, 2000). "Randy Weeks - Madeline". No Depression. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  9. Atkinson, Brian T. (November 28, 2011). I'll Be Here in the Morning: The Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt. ISBN 9781603445276. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  10. "Randy Weeks' "Sugarfinger" To Be Released August 22". All About Jazz. June 27, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  11. Stuart Munro. "Randy Weeks: Madeline". Country Standard Time. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  12. William Michael Smith (August 31, 2006). "Randy Weeks - Sugarfinger". No Depression. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  13. William Michael Smith (February 4, 2009). "Randy Weeks". Houston Press. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  14. "Lonesome Strangers - Lonseome Pine (1986, Wrestler)". Willfully Obscure. November 22, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  15. Jack Hurst (June 29, 1989). "Time Warp: Lonesome Strangers Go For Younger Sound Of Yesterday". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  16. Geoffrey Himes (May 14, 1997). "Picks from Little Dog's Litter". Washington Post. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
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