Stacked Deck
Stacked Deck is the debut album by American country rock group the Amazing Rhythm Aces, released in 1975 on the ABC label. The album was recorded at the Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by group member Barry "Byrd" Burton. Most of the material was composed by the group's lead singer Russell Smith.
Stacked Deck reached No. 11 on the US country chart and #120 on the Billboard albums chart. It includes the group's biggest hit single, "Third Rate Romance", which peaked at No. 11 country and No. 14 pop, and did even better in Canada where it topped both the country and pop chart. "Amazing Grace " was also released as a single and made No. 9 on the country chart, although it stalled at No. 72 on the pop chart.
Track listing
All tracks written by Russell Smith unless stated- "Third Rate Romance" 3:17
- "The 'Ella B'" 4:33
- "Life's Railway to Heaven" 4:20
- "The Beautiful Lie" 2:54
- "Hit the Nail on the Head" 2:22
- "Who Will the Next Fool Be" 2:48
- "Amazing Grace " 3:17
- "Anything You Want" 3:48
- "My Tears Still Flow" 3:25
- "Emma-Jean" 2:47
- "Why Can't I Be Satisfied" 3:03
- "King of the Cowboys" 4:01
- “Mystery Train” 02:51
Personnel
- Russell Smith — lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
- Barry "Byrd" Burton — lead guitar, backing vocals, steel guitar, Dobro, mandolin; lead vocals on "Life's Railway to Heaven"
- James Hooker — piano, backing vocals
- Billy Earheart — organ, piano
- Jeff "Stick" Davis — bass, backing vocals
- Butch McDade — drums, backing vocals, percussion
- Jim Kershaw — lead guitar on "Emma-Jean"
- Recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studio, Memphis, TN
- Produced and Engineered by Barry "Byrd" Burton
- Album photography, Jim McCrary
- Album design, Martin McDonald