Since their formation in 1996, the Two Dollar Pistols, led by baritone singer John Howie, Jr., have gained the respect of country music fans worldwide through international touring and three critically acclaimed releases. With a soulful honky-tonk country sound as their foundation, the Chapel Hill-based Pistols drive their music home with an energetic edge that leaves their audiences wanting more. "You R Ruined Everything" is the band's first full length studio album since their debut. Between then and now, the Pistols releases their debut album, "On Down the Track" (Scrimshaw/Mammoth) in 1997 followed by the sprited live set, "Step Right Up" (Yep Roc), 1998. In 1999, following several enthusiastically received local gigs together, the band and Tift Merritt recorded a set of duets. The resulting 7-song EP release, "The Two Dollar Pistols With Tift Merritt" (Yep Roc), quickly became a fan favorite and was Merritt's (now a popular Lost Highway recording artist) first CD recording and release. "You Ruined Everything" is the first Pistols album with all originals. While maintaining a contemporary honky-tonk feel, the album runs the gamut from danceable shuffles to country-soul tearjerkers. On the album, the core group is joined by North Carolina luminaries Clyde Mattocks (Johnny Paycheck) on pedal steel and dobro, and Chris Bess (Southern Culture On The Skids) on keyboards. Produced by Pete Weiss (Charlie Chesterman, Willard Grant Conspiracy) at Rick Miller's (Southern Culture On The Skids) Kudzu Ranch Studios, the album delivers a complete country music experience demonstrating the band's depth in the genre.
