Beverly EllisThe 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 FactsFull Name: Beverly Denise EllisBirthday: 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 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
 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 lieHere'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  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 aroundI 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  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 rollPlug 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  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 mightI 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  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 anymoreDo 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  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 nowI'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  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 heartLove 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  Leeza Silver/Matraca Berg MCA Publishing, A Division of Universal Studios, Inc., ASCAP Warner-Tamerlane Corp., ASCAPBill 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 CaliforniaAfter 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  Johnny Crocker/Fred Knobloch, Buta Bean Music, BMI/EMI Music, ASCAPI'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 allYou 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  David Grossman, Grossosaurus Music, BMIAnother 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 meIt'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  Mick Lloyd/Steve McIntyre, Service Winner Music, ASCAP/Shawna Marie Music, BMIOnce 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 pastHere'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 MusiciansAcoustic 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 GrosjeanBackground Singers: Jennifer O'Brien, Stephen Hill Recorded at Starstruck Studios, Nashville, TN Overdubbed and Mixed at Commanche Sound, Nashville, TN
The StaffExecutive 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 BurkCD 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
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