Known as "that little ol' band from Texas," ZZ Top has influenced and inspired musicians not only in rock and blues, but also Country music. Many of today's Country stars recently paid homage to ZZ Top by recording Country versions of the trio's classic songs.
Brad Paisley is one of 15 Country stars featured on Sharp Dressed Men: A Tribute To ZZ Top. For Brad's version of the band's "Sharp Dressed Man," he went to the Grand Ole Opry and got vocal tracks from his friends, Country legends George Jones, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Ralph Stanley and others.
Also performing on the tribute album are The Warren Brothers, Montgomery Gentry, Andy Griggs, and Willie Nelson, who contributed his rendition of ZZ Top's "She Loves My Automobile."
The Sharp Dressed Men tribute project was initiated by RCA Label Group Chairman Joe Galante who said, "ZZ Top impacted the world with their timeless songs, trademark visuals and history-making tours." The idea came to him from watching many Country artists perform ZZ Top songs in their live shows.
Fourteen of the 15 tracks on Sharp Dressed Men were written by ZZ Top members Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Dusty Hill.
The blues-rock trio formed in Houston, Texas in 1969. Seven of the group's 17 albums have sold more than one million copies. And, its 1983 "Eliminator" album received a Diamond Award for sales of 10 million.
Sharp Dressed Men includes four remakes from "Eliminator," "Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Sharp Dressed Man," "I Need You Tonight," and Trace Adkins' version of "Legs."
ZZ Top is considered a symbol of Texas to many, including President George W. Bush. While serving as Governor of Texas, he signed a resolution proclaiming May 15, 1997, as "ZZ Top Day" in Texas.
Prior to that, the band received proclamations from two previous Texas governors honoring them as "Ambassadors of Goodwill" for the state. And, in 1986, the three members were named "Official Texas Heroes" by the state's House of Representatives.
Music from Sharp Dressed Men: A Tribute To ZZ Top was featured in a recent Country Music Television Crossroads special performed by Brooks and Dunn, and ZZ Top. On June 23, cable network TNN will air a special on the making of the tribute album. That show includes interviews and performances by Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Phil Vassar, and many others featured on the CD.