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The Amazing Rhythm Aces

The Amazing Rhythm Aces are an American country rock band that formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1972. The band was formed by a group of veteran musicians, including singer and songwriter Russell Smith, who had previously played with the country-rock band Area Code 615.

The band's original lineup consisted of Russell Smith (lead vocals, guitar), Jeff Davis (drums), Butch McDade (percussion), James Hooker (keyboards), Billy Earheart (piano), and Barry "Byrd" Burton (lead guitar).

Their debut album, "Stacked Deck," was released in 1975 and included their hit single "Third Rate Romance," which reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song became one of the band's signature tunes and remains a popular classic rock staple.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces continued to release a string of successful albums throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, including "Too Stuffed to Jump," "The Amazing Rhythm Aces," and "Toucan Do It Too." Their music combined elements of country, rock, and R&B, and was characterized by tight vocal harmonies, clever lyrics, and top-notch musicianship.

Despite their success, the band went through several lineup changes over the years, with Smith remaining the only constant member. They disbanded in 1981, but Smith continued to perform and record as a solo artist.

In 1994, the band reunited for a new album, "Ride Again," which included a re-recording of "Third Rate Romance." They have continued to perform and record sporadically in the years since.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces are considered to be one of the most underrated and underappreciated bands of the 1970s, with a sound that was ahead of its time.


The Amazing Rhythm Aces I (1974 - 1979)
  • Russell Smith - guitar/vocals
  • Barry "Byrd" Burton - guitar/dobro
  • Jeff "Stick" Davis - bass/vocals - formerly with Jesse Winchester.
  • Billy Earheart III - keyboards
  • James Hooker - keyboards
  • Butch McDade - drums/vocals - b. February 24, 1946; d. November 29, 1998 - formerly with Jesse Winchester.
Albums:
  1. "Stacked Deck" (1975) - Singles: "Third Rate Romance"; "Amazing Grace (Used To Be Her Favorite Song)"
  2. "Too Stuffed To Jump" (1976) - Single: "The End Is Not In Sight (The Cowboy Tune)"
  3. "Toucan Do It Too" (1977)
  4. "Stacked Deck / Too Stuffed To Jump" (2-fer) (2000) - reissue of 1st and 2nd albums on a single CD.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces II (1977 - ? )
  • Russell Smith - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff "Stick" Davis - bass/vocals
  • Billy Earheart III - keyboards
  • James Hooker - keyboards
  • Butch McDade - drums/vocals
  • Duncan Cameron - guitar
Albums:
  1. "Burning The Ballroom Down" (1978)
  2. "The Amazing Rhythm Aces" (1979)
  3. "How The Hell Do You Spell Rythum?" (1980)
  4. "Full House: Aces High" (live) (1981)
  5. "Between You & Us" (live) (2001) - recorded live in Denver in 1979.
Group disbands.  Russell Smith goes solo and later forms Run C&W (with Bernie Leadon), Billy Earheart III joins Hank Williams Jr.'s Bama Band, and Duncan Cameron joins Sawyer Brown.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces III (1994 - 1997) (reformed)
  • Russell Smith - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff "Stick" Davis - bass/vocals
  • Billy Earheart III - keyboards
  • James Hooker - keyboards
  • Butch McDade - drums/vocals
  • Danny Parks - guitar/mandolin
Albums:
  1. "Ride Again" (1994)
  2. "Out Of The Blue" (1997)

The Amazing Rhythm Aces IV (1997 - 1998)
  • Russell Smith - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff "Stick" Davis - bass/vocals
  • Billy Earheart III - keyboards
  • James Hooker - keyboards
  • Kelvin Holly - guitar
  • Mike Organ - drums/vocals

The Amazing Rhythm Aces V (1998 - ? )
  • Russell Smith - guitar/vocals
  • Jeff "Stick" Davis - bass/vocals
  • Billy Earheart III - keyboards
  • James Hooker - keyboards
  • Mike Organ - drums/vocals
  • Tony Bowles - guitar
Albums:
  1. "Chock Full Of Country Goodness" (1999)
  2. "Absolutely Live" (live) (2000)
  3. "Nothin' But The Blues" (2004)

Compilations:
  1. "4 You 4 Ever: Best of Amazing Rhythm Aces" (1982)
  2. "Concert Classics, Vol. 3" (live) (1999)
  3. "Toucan Do It Too / Burning The Ballroom Down" (2-fer) (2000) - reissue of 3rd and 4th albums on a single CD.

Russell Smith solo:
  1. "Russell Smith" (1978)
  2. "This Little Town" (1989)
  3. "Sunday Best: The Cream of the Solo Albums" (2001)
  4. "The End Is Not In Sight" (2002)

Links:
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Last Revised:  September 27, 2005
© 2005 by Gary S. Hartman.  All rights reserved.
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