Fukuhara and the Cowboy Dreamers

Probably the best group in the Kansai area-and possibly in the country-is Kobe-based Fukuhara and the Cowboy Dreamers. An accomplished and smooth vocalist with quite good pronunciation, Mr. Fukuhara, far from being even semipro, is an amateur who is actually a top level manager at Nestles! The group released their superb second album, Peace of Mind-recorded with both the Country Dreamers and a crack session musicians in Tokyo in early 2000. The highlights include two George Straight songs, True and the title track. The release was celebrated with a concert in Kobe in March 2000.. A major reason for the group's status as the premier band in Kansai is the quiet presence on guitar of the wonderful Nobuhiko Ogino.