Saint of New Orleans Reviews

“This second CD from homegrown Country Fried, however, manages to be wholly New Orleans and pure twang all the way through. On Saint of New Orleans, the band abbreviated its early roots/jam aesthetic to something that hearkens back to the earlier days of the sound, with shorter songs, intricate harmonies and full, complex strings that are way more Louisiana Hayride than Bonnaroo.”  Allison Fensterstock, Gambit Weekly, 12/18/07.

 
“The second release for Country Fried shows off the band’s live strength … the band makes good use of the campfire feel. In “Lawrence and Nina,” the spirited performance and the simple fun of singing together takes over. That’s Country Fried at its best and helped the band find its audience.” Alex Rawls, Offbeat Magazine, January, 2008.
 

“Perhaps no track embodies (the feel of country music) better than Country Fried’s ‘Fade into the Sun.’ The track is more Hank Williams, Sr. than Hank Williams, Jr., blending a classic country melody, a soulful harmony, and teary-eyed lyrics.” Alejando de los Rios, Where Y’at Magazine, January, 2008.

Other mentions
2008 Best of the Big Easy Award Winner Best Country/Folk Group                                                                                                                           Gammbit Weekly  
2007 Covey Award Nominee Best Country Band.                                                                                                                                              Mississippi Gulf Coast Observer
Country Fried is the hottest honky-tonk in town. Seriously.
                                                 Antigravity Magazine

Winner of Emerging Country/Singer-Songwriter/Folk Group 2005
                                                      Offbeat Magazine’s Best of the Beat Awards

 “New Orleans quartet Country Fried mix up a whole bunch of Americana styles on their second album. Bluegrass pickin’ and old country styles combine brilliantly with country rock guitars - think early Poco rather than the Eagles - and vocalists Brian ‘Big Country’ Ayres and Taylor ‘Red Stick’ Garrett bring to mind honest-to-goodness country singers like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. Genuine rockin’ country music played with balls. Good stuff.”   Rob F.Leicester Bangs- UK, January, 2008.

“The real talent of this local favorite bar band is writing original neo-country tunes. The songs on its debut, Nowhere No More sound so natural and unassuming, you’d swear you had heard them before. Covers also abound, but listen for the perfectly formed vocal harmonies that are the band’s bread and butter.” (Gambit Weekly Jazz Fest Issue 2005)

“I’ve listened to the cd and they’re absolutely incredible,” said Travett Cunningham, entertainment director for Saturn/Infectious Records. They are a well orchestrated country band.” (Glenwood Springs Post Independent 3/25/05- April E. Clark)

“Their multiple songwriters create a robust original repertoire, not to mention the long list of classic covers.” (Gunnison Country Times- 3/24/05)

“Straight from New Orleans, Country Fried explores old-time country from its roots—and it’s out to spread the word.” (Summit Daily News 3/24/05- Kimberly Nicoletti)

We're so used to overstimulation that a listener may not be overwhelmed by Country Fried. It's hard to not look for more in their music, but the listener doesn't need it. It would be easy to write their songs off as elementary, but they're just subtle. You have to listen for the accomplished way in which "Big Country" rattles his shaker or how their harmonies hook up perfectly, but darn it if they don't play catchy, well-formed songs. They were enjoyable and rocking in a subtle way…Their speed wasn't reminiscent of rock, but their attitude was. They had a rebelious glimmer in their eyes, like they might not be out of place opening for Steve Earle.
05/06 House of Blues Review by LiveNewOrleans.com

Country Fried
Nowhere No More
(Country Fried)

Remember the country music we all knew and loved , the rich lyrics with stories to tell and even richer voices that knew just how to tell them? Nowhere No More, the debut from New Orleans' Country Fried, is here to fill that void in our lives. Brian "Big Country" Ayres comes out strong on lead vocals with a resonating drawl that echoes Johnny Cash and a powerful twang reminiscent of Waylon Jennings. The acoustic quartet's elaborate vocal harmonies and complex arrangements hearken back to the origins of country music, as do the songs' tales of heartaches, bar fights, drinking binges, and, oh yes, even cowboys. While there is no deviation from these themes, the unique style of songwriting keeps the tone in a continuous state of change. It even manages to entice non-country lovers by giving the elements of melancholy their due weight without taking itself too seriously. Both the music and the lyrics of the title track feel catchy and upbeat, even though it follows a narrative of loneliness and dejection and the band keeps it new and exciting as it maintains the integrity of original country music. Whether you've been missing the classics or need something in the background while you drink yourself into a stupor and break a bottle over the bar, just grab some whiskey and some Country Fried and you'll have all you need.
Leah Snyder - Where Y'at Magazine Best of 2004 Year End Round Up

2005:
Winner of Emerging Country/Folk Group in 2005 Offbeat Awards