Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick has announced that he will release not one but twonew solo albums next year. When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) and the beautifully acoustic Hearts On Trees will be released as a double CD on February 26th via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Warwick explains, “I really wanted these songs to come out. The album’s been a long time coming and in fact we’ve even made 2 albums here; electric and acoustic. We’ve played with some great musicians on this album. I think that the Black Star Riders fans will really dig this solo stuff too so absolutely delighted to be getting it out there.”

Today he reveals the artwork for the release, with one album, When Patsy Cline Was Crazy… showcasing his electric rock and roll side. The other disc, Hearts On Trees,  veers towards the more tender stripped-back songwriting, influenced by both Americana and, more importantly, his Northern Irish roots.

Warwick comments: “Hearts On Trees and When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) were written by myself and my good friend Sam Robinson, both albums depict our experiences of growing up and coming from the Greater East Belfast area, not only experiences that have happened to us but historical references and stories that have been told to us by friends and family... in saying that both albums translate those experiences on to a global scale that hopefully anyone geographically can relate to.”
 
The release boasts an array of acclaimed musicians with guests such as; Joe Elliot (Def Leppard), Damon Johnson (Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders), Andy Cairns (Therapy?), Billy Morrison (Billy Idol), Nathan Connolly (Snow Patrol), Ginger Wildheart (The Wildhearts), Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers), Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses, The Dead Daisies).