​New Jersey country rock band American Road’s new EP I Dream in Country...contains five original tracks that clearly put forth their love of country - USA, living and music. “An American” is a patriotic ode (with a lilt of that light 70’s feel) to this great country from “the secret fishing holes of Colorado and every inch of ground in between” while “I Dream In Country” nods to country life with an incredibly catchy melody you can’t help but tap your foot to. Electric guitars dominate “That Feeling” about what happens when you meet someone special while “Second Chance” has a nice rootsy melody. The metal heavy “U.N.I.R. Country” rounds out an EP that has a variety of sounds such that you’re bound to find a song to which your ears will gravitate.

Without the darkness I doubt we’d see the stars.” - Chris Watts

Singer-songwriter Chris Watts has certainly seen his share of dark moments. The Louisiana National Guardsman was shot in the Super Dome while on duty during Hurricane Katrina, which then saw him leaving Crescent City for Music City and releasing a solo album, CENLA. Then, in 2015, Watts had to take time off from touring to care for his wife, who had ovarian cancer. While caring for his wife, Watts spent time writing and recording songs for his new album, The God’s Own Truth, which will be released on March 18th.

Written, produced and recorded at East Nashville’s Best Friend Studio with engineer Stephen Allbritton, the five track collection exploring small town life, addiction and life on the road can best be described as honest American roots music; music in the same vein as singer-songwriters such as Rodney Crowell, Chris Knight and contemporary Ward Davis. Watts songs are written with an honesty - and sung in a weathered voice - that can only come from experience. Opening track “Life By The Gun” is the sobering story of living fast, trying to drown out one’s demons and the need to slow down before “getting high spending your last dollar” takes its toll. The shuffling melody of “The God’s Own Truth” tells of the lies one says to others about surviving life on the road. “$40 in the tank, 4 hours of sleep got a truck stop diet on a beggar’s budget, a bible on the dash with your picture above it”, “Homecoming Show” paints the picture of that falling-apart, never-changing town you call home and closing track “I Know What It Means,” a story about how his beloved New Orleans will always stay in his heart, will find you recalling The Band.

Watts sings in the title track “I may never be Bob Dylan,” but he has a knack for melody, lyrics and truth that shows promise as an artist coming into his own. 

Legendary country music group Restless Heart honors one of its musical heroes with the release of their new single, "Wichita Lineman." The classic song was written by Jimmy Webb in 1968 and originally performed by Glen Campbell, who himself encouraged Restless Heart to cut a Webb tune. In honor of their friend Campbell, they chose “Wichita Lineman.”

Restless Heart’s rendition is beautifully arranged, lush and serene, with Larry Stewart's warm lead vocals and the band’s sublime harmonies making this an especially well done tribute. Co-produced by Harry Smith and Restless Heart's Dave Innis, "Wichita Lineman" is the band's first new music release in nearly three years and is currently available at all digital retailers.

In this modern age, the battle of getting your music heard still rages on, but is also easier than ever with the ability to record and upload anywhere. Still, for every artist who has a hit, there are a multitude of others who just…….don’t. Before the advent of technology, that battle was much more difficult and many acts, due to various reasons, simply failed or folded. However, some of that forgotten music from country rock’s heyday will soon be given the opportunity to be heard. Archival record label Numero Group has unearthed nineteen rarities from 1968-1980 and will be releasing them on Wayfaring Strangers: Cosmic American Music, their fifth compilation in the series. Taking its name from Gram Parson’s description of the music he played with The Byrds, the compilation shines a light on some of the unknown performers of the time.

The artists and songs represented here certainly weren’t overlooked because the music wasn’t up to par; in fact, the genre fusing, eclectic songs here are quite ear pleasing. From Jimmy Carter and the Dallas County Green’s twangy ‘Travelin’” to Plain Jane’s groovy “You Can’t Make It Alone,” Ethel-Ann Powell’s folk-tinged “Gentle One”, Angel Oak’s perfect “I Saw Her Cry”, and (personal favorite) Jeff Cowell’s rootsy “Not Down This Low,” the album takes you back a few decades uncovering those heartfelt songs by artists who, like those artists of today, had a passion for music; a passion that led to disappointment, sometimes at the hands of scam artists. 

In fact, many of the artists here have fascinating stories. Jimmy Carter and the Dallas Country Green and the Black Canyon Gang were composed of farm and ranch hands who just liked making music. Mistress Mary and Mike & Pam Martin harbored dreams of record deals, only to see them evaporate when their demo albums were ignored. Sandy Harless financed his album through his fish breeding business, then got duped by a sham record label. (An accompanying book on these artists would be a welcome story.) Kenny Knight’s disappointment hit so hard that he tossed his master tapes in a dumpster. As the one-time Southern California singer-songwriter F.J. McMahon reflects: “My concept of record albums and musicians was, you came out with an album and went on T.V. and you had some money and you lived off it and you made another album. I had no concept of you make an album and it goes nowhere, which it did. It was a harpoon to the heart for a long time.”

Listening to Wayfaring Strangers: Cosmic American Music leaves you grateful these songs were discovered and released, but also wondering what might have been for these artists if things had been different. 

Ever since he received a guitar for his 18th birthday, Montana native Doug Adkins has been writing songs. Recently, the singer-songwriter released his new album, Lonesome, a collection of twelve original tunes that include his latest single, "Without You To Hold." It's clear from the fist note that Adkins respects the traditions of the genre, as the song represents country music with an emphasis on storytelling, heartfelt vocals and that familiar shuffling melody. The story of "Without You to Hold" is a simple and effective one: coming to the realization (perhaps too late) that life can indeed be lonely when you leave that special someone behind. 

To learn and hear more, visit his official website.

The Mining Co._ bring a heartfelt collection with their debut album Burning Sun & the Atomic Powers Within which will be released on March 11th. Co-produced in Spain by lead singer Michael Gallagher with Paco Loco, Gallagher’s melodies and lyrics have a moodiness, a fragility that seeps from the first track to the last. Things get off to a solemn, thoughtful start with “Country Heart” which continues with the laid back, lush organ of “Cover of Night. The title track has an almost hypnotic feel while the shuffling “Copper Ghosts” and “Homeward Bound” lend a country noir atmosphere. Melancholy permeates the Cash-esque “Shoot The Stars” and the banjo-driven “Lonesome Bird” while the string and harmony-filled “Keep On Rollin’” (an instant album favorite) closes the album on a joyously twangy note. It may take the listener a few spins to fully appreciate Burning Sun & the Atomic Powers Within, but with each listen you will see its depth and grow to appreciate it more.