Billy Bob Thornton's Fourth Solo Album, BEAUTIFUL DOOR, Released On New Door Records

Billy Bob Thornton's Fourth Solo Album, BEAUTIFUL DOOR, Released On New Door Records

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Billy Bob Thornton's solo album BEAUTIFUL DOOR (New Door Records/UMe, set to be released July 24, 2007), proves to be his most introspective and prolific to date. A collection of twelve tracks, BEAUTIFUL DOOR is a lyrical, sonic story about life and death, beginnings and ends.

From "It's Just Me," told from the perspective of someone who committed suicide, to "Restin' Your Soul," told from the perspective of the person left behind; from the hopeful "Hearts Like Mine" to the biographical "Always Countin'" about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; from the loss of young men in war in "Hope For Glory," to "The Boy Is Gone," about the loss of a child; to the title track "Beautiful Door," Thornton's commentary about war, politics, religion and the life & death of innocent people, BEAUTIFUL DOOR features an equally diverse blend of roots rock, country, and folk -- the genres Billy Bob Thornton has always loved most. Joining the singer-songwriter-drummer, who also produced the album, are co-writer and guitarist Brad Davis, bassist Leland Sklar and keyboardist Teddy Andreadis. Additionally, Graham Nash adds his signature background vocals on three tracks.

Prior to the album's release, Thornton will be heard on ANCHORED IN LOVE: A TRIBUTE TO JUNE CARTER CASH, featuring Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello and others. He has previously guested on the Tim McGraw tribute WHERE THE BLUEGRASS GROWS (2006); ENJOY EVERY SANDWICH: THE SONGS OF WARREN ZEVON (2004), singing "The Wind," which he performed with Zevon on the latter's 2003 GRAMMY(R)-winning album of the same name; EARL SCRUGGS AND FRIENDS (2001); THE BASTARD SONS OF JOHNNY CASH'S DISTANCE BETWEEN (2002); and CYCLORAMA (2004) from Styx.

Thornton traces his music career back to learning drums at the tender age of nine years old, followed later in life by leading various groups throughout the '70s, most notably a ZZ Top tribute band, Tres Hombres, which opened for Humble Pie, the MC5, Hank Williams, Jr., Ted Nugent, the Earl Scruggs Review, and others. (At the "VH1 Rock Honors" broadcast May 24, 2007, Thornton presented an award to ZZ Top.) In 1981, he moved to California to pursue acting. But his passion for music remained. While shooting "Sling Blade," Thornton jammed with former bandmates eventually leading him to Nashville and its recording studios. Back in L.A., he began writing the songs that would make up his debut album, 2001's PRIVATE RADIO, co-written and co-produced by Marty Stuart. 2003's THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, sparked a headlining gig at SXSW for the following year. In 2005, he released HOBO.

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Source: Universal Music Enterprises

CONTACT: Sujata Murthy of UMe/New Door Records, +1-310-865-7812,
sujata.murthy@umusic.com; or Arnold Robinson of Rogers and Cowan,
+1-310-854 8193, arobinson@rogersandcowan.com, for UMe/New Door Records

Web site: http://www.ilovethatsong.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment