Singer-songwriter John Hiatt has signed with New West Records and will release his new album, Beneath This Gruff Exterior, on May 6. It’s the first of his 18 albums to be credited to John Hiatt & the Goners, a band that includes guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and drummer Kenneth Blevins. Although it’s a studio album, Hiatt says, “We really just wanted to go in and get to the nuts and bolts of what this quartet does. If you come hear us live, this is pretty much what you get.” 02/11/03