Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Singer-songwriters John Latini and Doug E. Rees to play CD release show in Cape Girardeau

Monday, January 21, 2013
Doug E. Rees. Submitted photo

Local singer-songwriter Doug E. Rees has established himself as a consistent performer and songwriting mentor in the Jackson, Mo., and Cape Girardeau area and will release his new album "Nature Boy" at a concert at Dockside The Upper Deck on Saturday.

Rees has performed his Americana music every week at Stooges Restaurant in Jackson for seven years. He hosts the show, meaning that he plays his set and then another musician gets a chance to play his or her music. All of the music is original, and Rees said Stooges is one of the only places in the area that offers all original music.

"That's what Stooges does," Rees said. "It's also a good place for people who are interested in writing can come out and see some of the mentors do it in that capacity. We have just saw surges of people coming out around here that are songwriters and poets, anybody that really wants to take their writing to another level as they say."

Rees said that when he's writing anything he makes sure he puts himself into the story. He said that no other person can do it like the writer and that a songwriter needs to be true to himself or herself.

John Latini. Submitted photo

"Several years ago I spent some time and moved to Nashville for a couple years," Rees said. "That was kind of my college days in songwriting 101. By being around everybody that was better than I was at everything, I found some kind of comfort that, 'OK, if I do what I do and say it the way I say it, then I'm really not in competition."

"Nature Boy" includes all original songs from Rees as well as two co-written songs of which Rees says he is very proud.

Smokin' Sleddog Records, a Michigan-based independent boutique label established in 1999, is assisting Rees with this album and its launch. The label also manages John Latini who has played many times in the Cape Girardeau area at events like Tunes at Twilight and at Stooges. Latini has played with Rees in the past and will be opeing the concert at Dockside.

"He is a wonderful man with a heart of gold, and we are happy to welcome him into our Smokin' Sleddog Records family," co-owner Jamie-Sue Seal said of Rees in an email.

Latini, a Michigan-based singer-songwriter already had planned to be traveling through and Rees was happy to have him play at his show.

"He's a great songwriter, entertainer and a great person," Rees said. "John's good gold. ... He's prolific enough that folks really enjoy hearing him and listening to his songs."

The concert will be at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 at the door, and the CD can be purchased at the event for $15.

Ticket packages can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com. A $30 ticket includes admission for two people and one copy of "Nature Boy," and a $20 ticket includes admission for one person and one copy of "Nature Boy."

Rees' music and information about upcoming shows can be found on his Facebook page Doug Rees Music. Information about Smokin' Sleddog Records can be found at SmokinSleddogRecords.com.

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