This Ain’t Hollywood

Description

This Ain’t Hollywood is the third album by the American rock combo DeGarmo & Key Band, released on Lamb & Lion Records in 1980, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee; with Joe Hardy, Dana Key and Ed DeGarmo producing for Mint Productions. Featuring The Memphis Horns. Background vocals provided by Mylon LeFevre (who also co-wrote “All You Need”, later covered on his album Look Up), Suzanne Jerome, Beverly Baxter, Jack Holder, and Jimi Jamison (later to become lead singer of Survivor).

The band’s two first albums offered touches of Southern rock atmosphere, occasional bluesy guitar licks from Dana Key and a generous dollop of Eddie DeGarmo’s Moog synthesizer a la Keith Emerson. This Ain’t Hollywood was the start of the band’s turn toward poppier fare with their Christian radio hit “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do“, a duet featuring tour mate Amy Grant.

This Ain’t Hollywood was included among CCM Magazine’s Top 10 Albums of 1980. The album was as well nominated for “Best Gospel Performance – Contemporary or Inspirational” at the 24th Grammy Awards, 1981.

Girder Music Promo, 2021

DeGarmo and Key were forerunners and pioneers of early Jesus Music. Their music transcended generations and musical boundaries. They released 15 albums spanning 3 decades. Their first three albums This Time Thru (1978), Straight On (1979) and This Ain’t Hollywood (1980) have been completely remastered on colored vinyl for the first time ever along with remastered CDs with 8 page booklets, lyrics and photos with LTD Trading Card.

The band’s third album This Ain’t Hollywood proved to establish a trilogy of classic albums that would stand the test of time. Featuring the opening «Stella, This Ain’t Hollywood», a plea to evaluate one’s values against eternal destiny, DeGarmo and Key prove to be passionate songwriters. The album also yielded two radio hits: «You Gave Me All», an infectious slow rocker that charted at #19 and the duet with Amy Grant on «Nobody Loves Me», which charted at #6 and led to DeGarmo and Key being a part of Amy Grant’s touring band. The album also features the hooky «Love Is All You Need», co-written with rocker Mylon LeFevre, who is also featured on backing vocals. Mylon would later record this song with his band, Look Up, when he was signed to CBS Records in 1987. This album also became the first Christian rock album to be nominated for a Grammy award. Its timeless songs still pack a powerful punch of conviction wedded to a pulsating beat of rock and roll heaven.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/this-aint-hollywood/716107482)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Stella, This Ain’t Hollywood” – 3:24
A2. “When He Comes Back” – 2:43
A3. “You Gave Me All” – 3:30
A4. “Never Be The Same” – 2:55
A5. “All Night” – 4:22

Side Two
B1. “All You Need” – 3:47
B2. “Nobody Loves Me Like You” – 3:22
B3. “Light Of The World” – 3:01
B4. “Over And Over” – 3:27
B5. “One Step Closer” – 3:28

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Lamb & Lion Records. Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued on both 12-inch vinyl LP (pressed on Mint Green Vinyl) and CD in 2021 by Girder Music (through Limited Run Vinyl/Limited Run Music).