Beverly Ellis

The Artist and Her Music

Beverly Ellis -- The Artist and Her Music



The Artist

"You Make Me Believe," one of the key cuts in Beverly Ellis' new CD, A Diamond Won't Cut It, is a firm reminder that everyone who hears this collection of songs will be a believer in this country music newcomer. When you listen to Beverly's debut on DeltaDisc Records, you hear an instantly recognizable,unique voice; one with authority and conviction; vocals that demand attention.

There's a soul-searching honesty in both the songs and the singer. Beverly comes by her talent naturally, having grown up in gospel music. Her father is Tommie Ellis, a 39-year veteran of Mississippi's "Mighty Soul Travelers," and her mother, Ernestine, is her number one supporter.

"My mom has always been behind me one-hundred percent -- she says I came into this world singing," Beverly laughs. "While mom was pregnant with me, she attended most of the Mighty Soul Travelers' practices and appearances!" Beverly came in singing and hasn't slowed down, performing as a child at the Belmount Missionary Baptist Church in hometown Durant, Mississippi, then moving to regional shows, where she gained prominence throughout the area. But it was one college performance in particular that led her to her first brush with fame.

"After singing the Dionne Warwick part of "We Are the World" at a choir performance, "I was approached about an audition with the group "Silk," Beverly explains. Silk, known for its meld of country and Top 40, introduced Beverly to the world of Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire and Lorrie Morgan. "Country came naturally from the first time I sang it," Beverly says. "It's not a style that I believe you can force. It's either there or it's not."

A Silk highlight included singing at the inauguration of Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus. "That was a real thrill," Beverly says. "Just singing at the inauguration was amazing, but when the governor and his wife took the floor and danced alone on the floor while I sang, I thought I was going to die."

Beverly graduated and left Silk when she set out on a solo career, supporting herself with a day job at a Durant, Mississippi bank. Her career path was cleared somewhat when she performed the gospel song "I'm Still Holding On" at the Durant Mayoral Inaugural, attracting the attention of Mississippi attorney Frederick Clark, founder of DeltaDisc Records. Subsequent meetings were arranged with Nashville producer Mike Daniel, who recognized Beverly's talent to be a breakthrough country artist. Soon after her first meeting, the song search was initiated. "We went through a lot of songs written by some amazingly-talented writers to find these twelve," Beverly notes. "In the end, I chose material that related to my own experience. That's when a singer truly shines, when they're singing something they've known." And shine she does. From the first cut, David Chamberlain's irrepressible love-over-money title-cut tune, "This Time A Diamond Won't Cut It," to the poignant finale, "The House Where We Said Goodbye" (Mick Lloyd/Steve McEntyre), Beverly's voice glides through the clean,seamless tracks: up-tempo to swing to ballad and back again.

"Diamonds don't cut it," Beverly says. "You can live in a mansion but, unless there's love, it's nothing. One of the reasons I like 'The House Where We Said Goodbye' is that it reminds me of the home I grew up in, where I finally said goodbye to my parents, my brother Roy, and my sister Sandra, to go out on my own into the world. I love songs that can include many kinds of relationships, not just those between a man and a woman."

It's a joy to hear a superior stylist effortlessly move from the passionate "Pictures Never Lie" (Billy Stone/Don Maeler), "Home In Your Arms," (Leeza Silver/Matraca Berg) and "You Make Me Believe" (Johnny Crocker/Fred Knobloch) to the playful, "Love Is A Loaded Gun" (Max T. Barnes) and "One Of The Boys" (Phil Barnhart/Kent Blazy). "I really relate to 'One Of The Boys'," Beverly laughs. "I was such a tomboy when I was a little girl. I played basketball and football with my brother Roy and his friends and could usually hold my own. But, like the song says, times change and so did I! These days I'm more likely to be found playing with my daughter, Monica Nicole."

Another key cut is the swinging Dale Allen/Bob McCormick song, "Plug My Heart Into The Jukebox," an infectious tune that defies anyone to keep their toes from tapping time. Legendary songwriter Chips Moman, along with Roxie Dean, reflected today's women's up-front attitudes with wry insight in "A Woman Might." And the go-for-broke spin on matters of the heart is echoed on a different level, when the singer wraps her voice around "I'll Pay My Heart No Mind." Two classic songs of lost love reflect both strength and vulnerability: David Grossman's "It's Dawning On Me," and Paul Anka's 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore.' 'It's Dawning On Me' is another one of my favorites on the album," Beverly says. "The reason I love it so much is that it's about moving ahead, no matter what."

A Diamond Won't Cut It is a classic example of today's country -- giving a nod to the traditions of the genre, yet completely contemporary and progressive in tone. This is an album that examines the many facets of human relationships, by an equally multi-faceted talent. But . . . unlike the title cut. . . Beverly's a diamond that can cut it.



From the CD Liner


The Facts

Full Name: Beverly Denise Ellis

Birthday: December 20th

Birthplace: Holmes County, Mississippi

Height: 5'3"

Family: Daughter, Monica Nicole; Mother, Ernestine; Father, Tommie; Sister, Sandra; Brother, Roy

Any family members in show business?: "My father, Tommie Ellis, is a member of the Mighty Soul Travelers gospel group."

Biggest family influence: "My mother. She encouraged me even when the times were very hard!"

Education: Durant High School, Holmes Junior College

Hobbies: Singing, walking, spending time with daughter Monica Nicole

Sports ambition: To learn to ski

Secret fear: Big animals

Earliest ambition: To be a model or a professional dancer

First job: Merchants & Farmers Bank in Durant, Mississippi

First singing job: With the country & Top 40 group, Silk

Best break: "When attorney Fred Clark heard me sing and offered to represent me."

Best quote: "Thank God for Fred!"

Label Affiliation: DeltaDisc, Inc./Universal

Debut CD: A Diamond Won't Cut It. Release Date: February 9, 1999.

Others have described Beverly as: Independent, confident, outgoing

Personal advice to music novices: "Put God first in your life, then follow your dream. Have patience. Be very dedicated."

Personal goal: "To be the best country singer possible and to become a good songwriter."

Personal path to stardom: "I think the best path to success is steps taken one at a time."


The Music

This Time A Diamond Won't Cut It

David Chamberlain, Cal-IV Songs, ASCAP

Poor Me I've got a rich man -- I have more diamonds than I can stand
I got 'em in silver, I got 'em in gold, but I got nobody for me to hold
While he's out running all over the world, I walk around looking like a jewelry store

Oh, Oh, Oh -- This time a diamond won't cut it
No matter how much it sparkles and shines
It won't make a scratch on this heart of mine
No, a diamond won't cut it this time

He thinks all I need is living a life of luxury
He can go out and do me wrong, then try to make it up with a precious stone
Love ain't something that money can buy, he's out of his twenty-four carat mind

Oh, Oh, Oh -- This time a diamond won't cut it
No matter how much it sparkles and shines
It won't make a scratch on this heart of mine
No, a diamond won't cut it this time

I could stay but I don't think I will
Leavin' this mansion on the hill

Oh, Oh, Oh -- This time a diamond won't cut it
No matter how much it sparkles and shines
It won't make a scratch on this heart of mine
No, a diamond won't cut it this time

No, a diamond won't cut it this time
No, a diamond won't cut it this time
No, a diamond won't cut it this time

Pictures Never Lie

Billy Stone/Don Maeler, Fletcher Music, BMI

With an old Kodak Instamatic, we caught the good times on film
You can't deny that we had some, cause I still got the pictures of them
Just a bunch of old black and white memories may be all of our love that survived
I know that once you were happy cause pictures never lie

Here's one that we took in that fifty-cent booth
When you took me to see the State Fair
And the ones where you caught me coming out of the bathroom
With them rollers rolled up in my hair
Here's one your mom made as we walked down the aisle
And you promised to always be mine
You'll always be mine in these pictures 'cause pictures never lie

And a picture is worth about a thousand words when I love you don't last too long
Like an old looking glass to look back at the past it keeps me from being alone

It's all here in this photograph album we bought at the five and dime
Once you loved me too and I've got the proof cause pictures never lie
Yeah, I got the proof cause pictures never lie
Pictures never lie

One Of The Boys

Phil Barnhart/Kent Blazy, Southern Grand Alliance, ASCAP

We grew up right down the street from each other
You've always treated me like your little brother
You used to let me tag along when you were walking home from school and it felt so right
'Cause you were always nice to me when the other kids weren't around

I was one of the boys; that was years ago
I put away my toys; I want you to know
This ain't mama's makeup; I ain't just playing dress-up
I'm grown up, polished and poised
Take a look at me now; do I look like
One of the boys

You taught me how to bait a hook when you took me fishin'
I learned a lot about life the other little girls were missin'
Like how to throw a baseball; what makes a snake crawl
And how to skip a rock on a pond
I had a real good time but those days are gone

I was one of the boys; that was years ago
I put away my toys; I want you to know
This ain't mama's makeup; I ain't just playing dress-up
I'm grown up, polished and poised
Take a look at me now; do I look like
One of the boys

It broke my heart that summer you moved away
Now the woman in me hopes you're back to stay

Plug My Heart Into The Jukebox

Dale Allen/Bob McCormick, DDI Music, ASCAP/DeltaDisc Music, BMI

He stood me up, that's got me down
I need a way to turn this heart around
It's a good thing there's a cure for this aching in my soul
Time to let these memories go so let the sad times roll

Plug my heart into the jukebox, it's stopped beating on it's own
I need the sad song shuffle, feel of Haggard, Cline and Jones
It might take all night to get the beat back up to speed
So plug my heart into the jukebox won't you please

Fill my glass and take my keys
I'll need a ride back home come time to leave
Gonna break down and break in this brand new broken heart
Underneath this neon moon is where I plan to start

Plug my heart into the jukebox, it's stopped beating on it's own
I need the sad song shuffle, feel of Haggard, Cline and Jones
It might take all night to get the beat back up to speed
So plug my heart into the jukebox won't you please

Plug my heart into the jukebox, it's stopped beating on it's own
I need the sad song shuffle, feel of Haggard, Cline and Jones
It might take all night to get the beat back up to speed
So plug my heart into the jukebox won't you please

A Woman Might

Chips Moman/Roxie Dean, MusicLine, Inc., BMI/Polygram Music Publishing

Now our first date is over he walked me to the door
When he kissed me goodnight, I swear I wanted more
Now a lady wouldn't think that's right
But a woman might

I asked him for his number and he said he still had mine
But I think I'll call him first if he wastes too much time
Now a lady wouldn't think that's ladylike
But a woman might

And I think that I'll invite him for dinner and some wine
Then I'll take him dancing show him a real good time
And before the night is over I will find the perfect line
But I won't take him to his house, I'm taking him to mine
Now a lady wouldn't think that's right
But a woman might

When I was a lady I missed opportunities
But I'll be damned if I let this one get away from me
So tomorrow I'll go shopping buy something nice and tight
Surprise him at the office, let him see me in the light
Now a lady wouldn't know how to fight
But a woman might

Oh, a woman might
But a woman might

It Doesn't Matter Anymore

Paul Anka, Chrysalis Music Corp., BMI

There you go baby, here I am where you
Left me here so I could sit and cry
Golly gee what you have done to me
Well I guess it doesn't matter anymore

Do you remember baby, last September how you
Held me tight each and every night
Oh, baby how you drove me crazy
But I guess it doesn't matter anymore

There's no use in me a'cryin' I've done everything and
Now I'm sick of cryin'
I've thrown away my nights and wasted all my days
Over you

Now you go your way baby and I'll go mine
Now and forever 'till the end of time
And I'll find somebody new and baby, we'll say we're through
And you won't matter anymore

There's no use in me a'cryin' I've done everything and
Now I'm sick of cryin'
I've thrown away my nights and wasted all my days
Over you

Now you go your way and I'll go mine
Now and forever 'till the end of time and I'll find
Somebody new and baby, we'll say we're through
And you won't matter anymore

No, you won't matter anymore
No, you won't matter anymore

I'll Pay My Heart No Mind

James Dowell/Barry Paul Jackson, Lullie Mae Music, BMI, Cro-Jo Music, BMI

Could it be that my heart is deaf, dumb and blind
Why does it want him back after all of the times
He left us crying alone, cold as a stone
It should have learned by now

I'll pay my heart no mind, I won't hear a word it says
I'll pay my heart no mind, though I know it wants him
Back in my bed
Why can't he remember how much we've been hurt
And leave his memory behind
I've drawn the line this time, I'll pay my heart no mind

I know he'll call again, it's a matter of time
Till I hear his voice on my telephone line
And I know my heart will start falling apart
It should have learned by now

I'll pay my heart no mind, I won't hear a word it says
I'll pay my heart no mind, though I know it wants him
Back in my bed
Why can't he remember how much we've been hurt
And leave his memory behind
I've drawn the line this time, I'll pay my heart no mind
I've drawn the line this time, I'll pay my heart no mind

Love Is A Loaded Gun

Max T. Barnes, Sony Tree Music, BMI

I have known some desperados in disguise and it's easy to believe you in the dark
But a girl's at the mercy of a lover's lies and remember I'm surrendering my heart

Love is a loaded gun, it can go off and really hurt someone
If it ain't love you better turn and run
Cause love, love is a loaded gun

I have been a victim of his blinding lies, deep desires placed in careless hands
I've walked among the wounded in the neon light, and I don't want to go through that again

Love is a loaded gun, it can go off and really hurt someone
If it ain't love you better turn and run
Cause love, love is a loaded gun

Love is a loaded gun, it can go off and really hurt someone
If it ain't love you better turn and run
Cause love, love is a loaded gun

Home In Your Arms

Leeza Silver/Matraca Berg
MCA Publishing, A Division of Universal Studios, Inc., ASCAP
Warner-Tamerlane Corp., ASCAP

Bill and Betty were barely twenty
They got married with a little money
He couldn't find a job in Oklahoma
Heard things were better out in California

After taking her cross the country
He turned to her and said why do you love me?
When you know that I am just a dreamer
Who wants to take you where the grass is greener

She said, you're the only thing I've ever wanted
Mansions are drafty and they're always haunted
You're a place to go that's safe and warm
I found home - in your arms

After years of chasing dreams and wishes
Bill and Betty went from rags to riches
He bought her everything to make her happy
But things material are never lasting, and

She said, you're the only thing I've ever wanted
Mansions are drafty and they're always haunted
You're a place to go that's safe and warm
I found home -- in your arms

Sold their villa out in SanDiego when all the kids were grown
Packed their memories in a Winnebago
And made the road their home, and she still says

You're the only thing I've ever wanted
Mansions are drafty and they're always haunted
You're a place to go that's safe and warm
I found home -- in your arms

You Make Me Believe

Johnny Crocker/Fred Knobloch, Buta Bean Music, BMI/EMI Music, ASCAP

I've got this crazy feelin' deep inside of me -- my luck's about to change
No more double-dealing, I really do believe this time it's not the same
You break the ice, you tear down the walls
Unlock my heart -- you can have it all

You make me believe in love again, never thought it would happen to me
Falling, falling, falling in -- you made me believe again

I did it by the numbers, wrote my own book
I swore I'd never fall, but my heart took a tumble
After one look, now I don't need that book at all
You light a fire, when you hold me tight
I'm on a high while dancing in the spotlight

You make me believe in love again, never thought it would happen to me
Falling, falling, falling in -- you made me believe again

I was a fool for reckless affection, racing down the fast lane
Broke all the rules, with no exceptions, then you changed the game

You make me believe in love again, never thought it would happen to me
Falling, falling, falling in -- you made me believe again

You make me believe in love again, never thought it would happen to me
Falling, falling, falling in -- you made me believe again

It's Dawning On Me

David Grossman, Grossosaurus Music, BMI

Another night -- you're out on the town
I've watched this old clock going round and round
I keep thinking any moment I'll hear the turning of your key
Never seen a moon last so long, counted every star sittin' here alone
But now they've gone and it's dawning on me

It's dawning on me, as the lonely night is ending
I'm beginning to see the picture plain as day
The morning sun is shedding light on some things
I don't want to believe, you don't love me anymore
It's dawning on me

As long as it was dark, I could try to tell my heart
My love would bring you back
But this cold, grey morning light
Oh it's taking all my fight
And now I'm facing the fact

It's dawning on me, as the lonely night is ending
I'm beginning to see the picture plain as the day
The morning sun is shedding light on some things
I don't want to believe, you don't love me anymore
It's dawning on me

The morning sun is shedding light on some things
I don't want to believe, you don't love me anymore
It's dawning on me

The House Where We Said Goodbye

Mick Lloyd/Steve McIntyre, Service Winner Music, ASCAP/Shawna Marie Music, BMI

Once this house was new, just like our love
We were sure they'd both last
But, as the years moved on our foundation aged
This house watched all the past

Here's where we laughed, here's where we loved
Here's where our child thought would always be home
Here's where we hoped, here's where we dreamed
Now all that doesn't mean anything
I can almost hear the cries of the house where we said goodbye

I put the last light out, pulled out of the drive
And slowly head down the street
This once-full house is empty now
It's echoes run so deep

Here's where we laughed, here's where we loved
Here's where our child thought would always be home
Here's where we hoped, here's where we dreamed
Now that home doesn't mean anything
I can almost hear the cries of the house where we said goodbye

Here's where we laughed, here's where we loved
Here's where our child thought would always be home
Here's where we hoped, here's where we dreamed
Now that home doesn't mean anything
I can almost hear the cries of the house where we said goodbye

Yes, I can almost hear the cries
Of the house where we said goodbye

The Musicians

Acoustic Guitar: Boomer Castleman (Session Leader & Arranger)
Drums: Jerry Kroone
Bass: Dave Pomeroy
Piano Synthesizer: Ronnie Godfrey
Electric Guitar: Mike Severs
Steel Guitar: Mike Douchette
Fiddle: Aubrey Haney
Strings/Orchestra: Kristin Wilkinson (String Arrangement/Leader)
David Davidson, Pam Sixlin, Carl Gorodetsky, David Angell, Jim Grosjean

Background Singers: Jennifer O'Brien, Stephen Hill

Recorded at Starstruck Studios, Nashville, TN
Overdubbed and Mixed at Commanche Sound, Nashville, TN


The Staff

Executive Producer: Frederick Clark
Produced By: Mike Daniel & Denny Knight
Assistant Producer: Paul Hale
Engineered By: Denny Knight/Mike Daniel
Photography By: Nancy Lee Andrews
Wardrobe By: John Murphy/Rose Knight
Stylist: Garnett Burk

CD Design & Layout: The OMNI A.S.C.
Designer: Kelly Walker


For Fan Club Information:
Beverly Ellis Fan Club
P.O. Box 424
Greenwood, MS 38935


DeltaDisc/Universal:

921 W. Main Street 1st Floor
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 824-7944
Fax (615) 824-0818
Toll-Free (888) 583-6073
Fred Clark, President, CEO
Tom McBee/General Manager/Vice-President
Mike Daniel/Vice-President/Director A&R
Rose Knight/Office Manager


Management:

Jim Prater/We Two Management, Inc.
9 Music Square South Suite 335
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 726-1780
Fax (615) 726-1632


Public Relations:

Jolene Mercer/The Mercer Group
DeltaDisc, Inc.
921 W. Main Street 1st Floor
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 824-7944
Fax (615) 824-4129
Toll-Free (888) 583-6073


Questions ? Comments? E-Mail Me.

Ron Collins

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