Moors & McCumbersongs full of rich harmonies that take you places

______________________________________ James Moors and Kort McCumber are an acoustic duo that crafts beautiful story songs that walk the line between rootsy folk and melodic pop. The two songwriters met at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in 2005. Sitting around a campfire swapping songs, they each heard something in the music of the other that just fit. The two have been performing and writing together ever since. Having collectively sold more than 15,000 copies of independent releases from the stage, the duo has now released two of their own full-length albums. Based in Superior, Wisconsin, James Moors is heralded by Steve Morse, longtime Boston Globe writer, as “Sharing some of the same melodic gifts of Neil Finn, enhanced by a warm-hearted spirit that makes you want to hear more.” Born and raised in Minneapolis, he grew up with the music of The Replacements, Soul Asylum and Prince but today draws inspiration from troubadours like Ron Sexsmith and Eliza Gilkyson. An official recipient of the prestigious McKnight Foundation Emerging Artist Grant, his songwriting has been recognized three years in a row by the Big Top Chautauqua competition. A talented multi-instrumentalist, Colorado artist Kort McCumber plays a variety of instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, piano) in his own brand of Americana that is one part rock and blues, two parts country-bluegrass and all parts McCumber. But it is his songwriting abilities that have made him a Colorado favorite and garnered him national and international recognition. He won last year’s Flat Rock Festival Songwriting Competition in North Carolina and was a finalist in this year’s International Songwriting Competition. Although successful solo songwriters, Moors & McCumber discovered that their music together is more than the sum of the parts. Embracing a bigger sound than most duos, they switch up instruments on almost every song (playing guitar, mandolin, piano, bouzouki, fiddle, harmonica, cello, 12-string guitar and Dobro), creating catchy melodies that are big, bright and electrifying to watch live. Moors & McCumber are on tour now, supporting their new album Gravity, playing shows across North America and Europe. In addition to performing at theaters, clubs and festivals, the duo also hosts an annual trip to Ireland where fans can hear intimate performances and experience a guided tour of counties Cork, Kerry and Clare. For more information about the 2012 Ireland Tour and a complete list of their tour dates, please visit www.moorsandmccumber.com.

Moors & McCumber ♦ GravityRelease Date: May 1, 2012

Squarely rooted in Americana music, the new Moors & McCumber release Gravity weaves fine storytelling with an infectious, melodic mix of folk, bluegrass and acoustic pop sounds. Recorded November 14-16, 2011 in Middletown Springs, Vermont, the album highlights James Moors’ and Kort McCumber’s instrumental virtuosity. Other than a few guest musicians who played on their Irish immigrant ballad “Leaving for Cobh,” the album features all parts played and sung by Moors & McCumber, giving a clear picture of what their live shows are like. Featuring almost all originals, highlights include “Gravity,” “Quick As I Can,” “Nothing But Blue,” and their cover of “3,000 Miles,” paying tribute to one of their songwriting heroes Ellis Paul.

DISCOGRAPHY: Moors & McCumber, 2009 - You Can’t Take Away the Land (single), 2010 - Gravity, 2012

Publicity & Radio Promotions: Ellen Stanley, efspublicity@gmail.com, (612) 281-1364