Court Yard Hounds, The First Album From Emily Robison & Martie Maguire Debuts Top 10 on the Billboard 200

NEW YORK, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Records -- Court Yard Hounds, the self-titled first album from Emily Robison and Martie Maguire's new musical project, with first week's sales of 61,119 pieces, has entered the Billboard 200 (the week's top-selling albums across all genres) at #7.

Debuting simultaneously in the Top 10 of three major Billboard charts, Court Yard Hounds entered the Rock Albums chart (the week's top-selling albums across all rock genres) at #3 and the Digital Albums chart (the week's top-downloaded albums across all genres) at #7.  All ranks determined by sales data as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan.

Court Yard Hounds have been introducing their music to fans via a series of high-profile television appearances including "Good Morning America" (May 4), "The View" (May 5), "Late Show with David Letterman" (May 6), "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (May 7), "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (May 12) and the "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (May 21).  In addition, Court Yard Hounds will appear on an upcoming episode of "CBS Sunday Morning."

Emily and Martie appeared on NPR's "All Things Considered" in early May to discuss the Court Yard Hounds project and perform.

Court Yard Hounds debuted as a live act with a performance at the Americana Music Association showcase at Antone's in Austin, Texas at this year's South By Southwest Music Festival.  The New York Times (March 19, 2010) reviewed the show and noted, "With Ms. Robison on banjo and Ms. Maguire on fiddle, Court Yard Hounds touch down in rural music, and they're closer to roots-rock than to current Nashville country, with touches of folk-pop, Memphis soul and the Band. It was a sleek, genial debut..."

Court Yard Hounds will be touring from June 18 - August 16 including a performance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and a run of Lilith Fair concerts.  The group is planning a tour of Europe and Australia for the autumn.

Court Yard Hounds - Lilith Fair Appearances

Court Yard Hounds, the duo and the album, have been drawing praise from the nation's press:

Glamour Magazine

"Their first album as a duo has a wistful, soulful sound that's all their own...this is a must-own."

Rolling Stone

"Toss in plentiful two-part harmonies, a few ringing love songs ('The Coast'), the odd woodsy Band like balled ('See You in the Spring,' with Jakob Dylan) and some gorgeous guitar-and-violin folk songs ('April's Love'), and it adds up to one of the year's better country records."

New York Daily News

"Hounds find a fetching sound...The CD has a surprise on its side, and something more: the joy of revealing talents that fans and even the stars themselves never knew they had."

People Magazine

"In Maines' absence, Robison eases into the role of lead singer as well as principal songwriter.  Her understated vocals, long relegated to harmony, let these songs tell the story, their subtle pleasures sinking in with repeated listens."

Emily and Martie will join Natalie Maines on-stage in June when the Dixie Chicks perform a series of concerts with The Eagles.

Dixie Chicks/The Eagles

www.courtyardhounds.com

SOURCE Columbia Records