Paul Sanchez

Paul Sanchez is a New Orleans-based American guitarist, a Singer-songwriter, best known as a member of cowpunk band Cowboy Mouth from 1990-2006.

Biography

Sanchez grew up in New Orleans, in the Irish Channel section, a working class Catholic neighborhood. He was raised by his widowed mother along with ten brothers and sisters.

His first band of note was the Backbeats, a New Orleans based group featuring Fred LeBlanc and Vance DeGeneres. Following this, Sanchez joined the burgeoning "anti-folk" scene in New York in the late-1980's. He signed a deal as a solo acoustic performer with CBS records, but the record company underwent management changes and his agreement expired without producing any releases.

Sanchez temporarily left the music business and worked as a production assistant on films (his favorite remains "Miller's Crossing)". Sanchez ultimately returned to New Orleans in 1990 and helped form Cowboy Mouth, the live rock powerhouse that has won over fans across the country thanks to years of constant touring. While a member of the group, Sanchez released seven solo cds. He left the band in November 2006 to pursue a solo career.

Sanchez's songs have appeared in "The Accused", starring Jodie Foster, "", the "Underneath", by Steven Soderbergh, and on CMT's Travel America series. His song "Hurricane Party" is a feature on NPR every storm season. Sanchez was also music supervisor for, and appeared in, the independent film, "At Last", starring Martin Donovan and Kelly Lynch. His song "At The Foot of Canal Street", co-written in 1999 with Sanchez's friend John Boutte, appears on the critically acclaimed Shout Factory New Orleans musical history boxed set, "Doctors, Professors, Kings and Queens, a Big Ole Box Of New Orleans".

In 2006, Sanchez told the story of Hurricane Katrina destroying his home in the documentary film, "New Orleans Music in Exile"; he also performed the song "Home" with Cowboy Mouth in the film.

His latest album, Exit to Mystery Street was released in March 2008. The album features guest spots from a number of prominent New Orleans musicians including Matt Perrine, Ivan Neville, Susan Cowsill, Big Sam Williams, John Boutte, and Freddy Omar.

Discography

Cowboy Mouth Studio albums

* "Word of Mouth" · 1992
* "It Means Escape" · 1994
* "Are You With Me?" · 1996
* "Word of Mouth (Remix1)" · 1996
* "Mercyland" · 1998
* "Easy" · 2000
* "Uh Oh" · 2003
* "Voodoo Shoppe" · 2006

Cowboy Mouth live albums and EPs

* "Mouthin' Off (Live & More)" · 1993
* "Mouthin' Off (Live & More) (Remastered)" · 1997
* "Cowboy Mouth LIVE! (limited edition 5-song EP issued with Mercyland)" · 1998
* "Live in the X Lounge" "Jenny Says" · 1998
* "All You Need Is Live" · 2000
* "Live in the X Lounge" "Easy" · 2000 & 2001
* "Uh Oh (5-song Preview EP)" · 2003
* "Live at the Zoo" · 2004

Solo albums

* "Exit to Mystery Street"
* "Washed Away", a compilation of songs from his first 6 recordings, all lost in the levee failure in New Orleans
* "Between Friends", featuring guest appearances by Darius Rucker, John Boutte, Theresa Andersson, Jim Sonefeld, Susan Cowsill.
* "Hurricane Party"
* "Live at Carrollton Station"
* "Wasted Lives & Bluegrass"
* "Jet Black and Jealous"
* "Sonoma Valley"
* "Loose Parts"

Awards & recognition

* Named New Orleans "songwriter of the year, 2000" by the Gambit Weekly readers' poll

He rocked out with the band cowboymouth for awihle.