David Ball - Sparkle City

David Ball came out at a time when Country artists could still sound a little different from each other. Think about it---nobody could mistake his 1994 smash “Thinkin’ Problem” with anyone else on the radio at the time. While it’s been a while since we’ve heard new music from Ball, his distinct vocal style is still there on this new disc…..and he’s still very much Country! The Album's highlights are ...

Various Artists - Blue Moon of Kentucky: An Instrumental Tribute To Bill Monroe

If you were to ask R&B singers about their influences, I’m sure that the name of Ray Charles would be pretty close to the front. For Country artists, the last names of Jones and Haggard would be mentioned quite a bit. For Bluegrass pickers, William Smith Monroe would be at the top of the list. Better known as “Bill” Monroe, he created the sound of Bluegrass Music as we know it. Though ...

Sabastian Roberts - Unwanted Man

A native of Minnesota, Sebastian Roberts has many different sides to his talent. There’s a little Rock, a dash of Pop, and a sprinkle of Traditional Country to be heard within the twelve cuts on this album. First of all, let’s discuss the Rockin’ side of his music. The opener, “Unwanted Man,” dazzles with a loud guitar emphasis that impresses...

Lisa Morales - Beautiful Mistake

Life tends to hand us different experiences at times, and we all handle them differently. For former Sisters Morales member Lisa Morales, she chose to take the emotions she dealt with after the loss of her mother, and put together quite an impressive album full of expressive performances. The album begins with the folk-ish “I Am The Weakest,” which features a very strong chorus, and continues in...

Kid Rock - Born Free

Over the past few years, it seems that Kid Rock has become the unofficial Goodwill Ambassador for Country Music. Some have mixed feelings about this, but I am firmly in his camp. I remember the CMT Crossroads special he did with Hank Williams, Jr. a few years ago. He pulled out several of Bocephus’s album cuts of old, even going back to a pre-mountain fall track, “Hamburger Steak, ...

Josh Sloan & Coal Town - Self Titled

Since the success of ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’ a few years back, Bluegrass Music has taken a huge leap in popularity. Part of that reason stems from some of the younger acts that have came into the format over the past few years. Josh Slone is one of those talents. His new album bristles with the same kind of Kentucky traditions that Bluegrass Music is all about. If you like old-school ...

Due West - Forget The Miles

First of all, I will admit to being a little prejudiced concerning the trio of Brad Hull, Matt Lopez and Tim Gates. I happen to be a huge fan of these guys. But the question remains…..Why aren’t you? I seem to use the word “harmony” a lot in the reviews I write….but after you hear this trio, you will understand what the term truly means. These guys are, to borrow a phrase from Vern Gosdin, ...

Thompson Square - Self-Titled

One of the recent newcomers to make a mark on Country Radio has been the new husband / wife duo Thompson Square. Comprised of Keifer and Shawna Thompson, they have made quite the impression with their flirty single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” which has done quite well on the singles chart. If you liked the first release, I think you will love what is coming down the pike next...

Trey Lockerbie – Light Therapy

Arguably fewer singer/songwriters freely explore artistic expression and experimentation as do artists in other mediums, such as painting and dance. Recording artists usually want their music to reach radio success, and that means following a rather conservative path with a commercial sound that listeners are familiar with...

The Rock N Roll Chorus - Rounding 3rd

Sometimes, it pays to do a little bit of research before you write reviews or stories. I will tell you why----you just might get it wrong. After listening to this CD, I was all prepared to tell you how much this project was probably inspired by the series Glee. That being said, the comparison to the hit FOX series is still a compliment, but this group actually began their story in 2007 in New Jersey...

Nathan Stanley – My Kind of Country

Not many 18 year-old singers could say they’re releasing a fourth album, nor would they be gutsy enough to even consider an ambitious 21-track project full of duets with Nashville stars such as Ricky Skaggs, Little Jimmy Dickens, Patty Loveless and Vince Gill - but not all teen artists have had the performing experience and musical-royalty DNA of Nathan Stanley. He’s a decade-long ...

Leah Seawright - Country Girl 101

For well over thirty years, Fort Payne, AL has been known as the home of the group Alabama. While that’s not going to change for a few hundred years, there just might be a new name added to the list----blonde bombshell Leah Seawright. There’s no denying that Seawright is a beautiful woman. The pictures tell that loud and clear. However, there’s a lot of talent in the package, as well....

Jeff Bates - One Day Closer

Jeff Bates made quite the impact a few years ago with the success of singles like “The Love Song.” It’s been a while since we have heard new music from the Mississippi native, but given the quality of this EP, it’s been worth it. ONE DAY CLOSER is a collection of songs that are close to Bates’ heart. Having gone through several life-changing events over the past few years such as losing both his ...

Various Artists - Demos - Volumes 1 & 2

We hear them on the radio every day. Well, maybe not these singers exactly. But we hear their songs. “I Swear,” “How Do I Live,” “I Hope You Dance,” and “The House That Built Me”----Songs like those are a part of the daily routine, but never in the way they are presented here. Warner Brothers records has just issued a two-volume CD set that features the songs exactly the way they were ...

Crystal Bowersox - Farmer's Daughter

I’ve got to be somewhat honest. To quote Twain (Shania, that is!), when it comes to American Idol…..”That Don’t Impress Me Much.” While one cannot argue with the successes of Kelly and Carrie, winning (or appearing on) the show hasn’t always meant long-term success. So, I was a little apprehensive when I heard the show being referenced in the press clippings of Ohio native Crystal ...