Handy nominee Alice Stuart led the charge for women in rock and roll (with Frank Zappa!!) in the late '60s and '70s before retiring to raise her kids. Freedom is the brand new recording by Alice with the Formerlys more than ever uniquely delivering the depths of her influences. The album title says it all...the Freedom to play what comes naturally. Alice and the band deliver a phenomenal range of musical styles here. Its pure American music moving from rockabilly to R&B to ballads and a jazzy instrumental with ease. Alice was recognized by the Seattle Weekly for Seattles Best Guitarist (2005), Best Band (2004-2006), by the Washington Blues Society as Best Songwriter (2003-2006) and will be representing the Portland, Oregon based Cascade Blues Association in the 2008 Intl Blues Challenge in Memphis in the solo/duo category. Freedom is a great album defining American music for artists of any gender or age...and Alice ROCKS!