1996 The Players – The Players
The self-titled album by The Players, released on February 20, 1996, via Warner Alliance, is a premier example of 1990s smooth jazz and instrumental pop. The project was unique because it brought together nine of Nashville’s most elite session musicians—the “first-call” players often responsible for the sound of major country and pop hits—to step into the spotlight themselves.
Tracks
1 The Players – 10-Q (Tommy Sims, Michael Omartian) 4:49
2 Michael Omartian – D-Nile (Michael Omartian, Danny O’Lannergthy, John Hammond) 4:56
3 Tom Hemby – Love Is (Tom Hemby) 5:00
4 Mark Douthit – Enuff Said (Mark Douthit) 5:17
5 Dann Huff – To Be Forgotten (Dann Huff) 4:55
6 Terry McMillan – Soul Surfin’ (Terry McMillan, Bobby Blazier) 3:26
7 Shane Keister – Onyx (Shane Keister, John Angelini) 4:29
8 Eric Darken – Best Of Both Worlds (Eric Darken) 4:16
9 Chris Rodriguez – The Valley (Chris Rodriguez) 4:43
10 Tommy Sims – A Night At The Golden “O” (Tommy Sims) 6:32
Other Musicians
1 10-Q
| Guitar | Dann Huff |
| Guitar | Tom Hemby |
| Guitar | Chris Rodriguez |
| Keyboards | Michael Omartian |
| Keyboards | Shane Keister |
| Harmonica | Terry McMillan |
| Sax | Mark Douthit |
| Percussion | Eric Darken |
2 D-Nile
| Bass | Danny O’Lannerghty |
| Drums | Paul Leim |
| Keyboards | Michael Omartian |
3 Love Is
| Drums | Tom Hemby |
| Guitar | Tom Hemby |
| Acoustic Guitar | Tom Hemby |
| Keyboards | Tom Hemby |
| Background Vocals | Natalie Hemby |
| Background Vocals | Ron Hemby |
4 Enuff Said
| Drums | Steve Brewster |
| Drums (programming) | Steve Brewster |
| Guitar | Andrew Ramsey |
| Keyboards | Mark Douthit |
| Programming | Mark Douthit |
| Sax | Mark Douthit |
| Trumpet | Mike Haynes |
5 To Be Forgotten
| Bass | Dann Huff |
| Drums (programming) | David Huff |
| Guitar | Dann Huff |
| Fender Rhodes | John Hobbs |
| Synthesizer | Dann Huff |
6 Soul Surfin’
| Drums | Bobby Blazier |
| Guitar | George Cocchini |
| Programming | Jeff Roach |
| Harmonica | Terry McMillan |
7 Onyx
| Bass | Shane Keister |
| Drums | Shane Keister |
| Guitar | Bob Cadway |
| Acoustic Guitar | Teddy Irwin |
| Keyboards | Shane Keister |
| Piano | Shane Keister |
| Percussion | Shane Keister |
8 Best Of Both Worlds
| Bass | Matt Pierson |
| Drums | Eric Darken |
| Drums (programming) | Eric Darken |
| Guitar | Mark Baldwin |
| Organ | Dennis Patton |
| Programming | Eric Darken |
| Programming | Dennis Patton |
| Sax | Marty Paoletta |
| Percussion | Eric Darken |
9 The Valley
| Bass | Matt Pierson |
| Drums | Bobby Blazier |
| Guitar | Chris Rodriguez |
| Percussion | Bobby Blazier |
10 A Night At The Golden “O”
| Bass | Tommy Sims |
| Drums | Dan Needham |
| Guitar | Tommy Sims |
| Keyboards | Tommy Sims |
| Organ | Tommy Sims |
| Sax | Danny Duncan |
Liner Notes
Produced By – Bobby Blazier & The Players
Recorded By – Keih Compton, Terry Christian, Dan Rudin, Dann Huff, Shane Keister, Bryan Lenox, Rob Burrell, Lynn Fuston, Steve Bisher, Martin Woodlee
Mixed By – Terry Christian
Mixed By (Assistant) – Jason Wilder, Amy Hughes
Mastered By – Randy Leroy
Recorded By (Assistant) – Mel Jones, Jason White
Recorded at Quad Studios
Recorded at Oak Valley Sound Recording Studio
Recorded at The Carport
Recorded at The Bennett House
Recorded at The Dugout
Recorded at dBeat Studio
Recorded at Cove City Sound Studios
Recorded at OmniSound Studios
Recorded at Tejas Recorders
Recorded at Puxico Studio
Mixed at Sound Kitchen
Mixed at Woodland Studios
Mastered at Final Stage
Art Direction – Diana Barnes
Design – Franke Design Co.
Photography – Matthew Barnes