-Tara

Bradley Walker’s new album, Call Me Old Fashioned, is a classic country collection that celebrates faith in one’s daily life. Produced with friend and collaborator Rory Feek (Joey + Rory), the album’s fourteen tracks include traditional hymns alongside new tracks that focus on time-honored values, putting one’s trust in the Lord and being thankful for every day.

Beginning with opening track, "Why Me,"  Walker’s vocals -  engaging, warm, and incredibly earnest - capture your attention and convey a peacefulness that flows through the album.  From the straightforward title track and  the stirring “Don’t Give Up On Me”  to the cleverly written “The Toolbox” and the reflective “Pray For God” the songs on Call Me Old Fashioned are undeniably beautiful: conveying simple yet impactful themes with a moving authenticity.

 The album is rounded out by an intensely emotional duet with Joey Feek “In The Time That You Gave Me” before closing with the hymns “With His Arms Wide Open” and “Belulah Land,"

Call Me Old Fashioned is a record that is not just for Sunday morning, it is an album for every day that will inspire, strengthen, and reaffirm your faith.

The title of Zane Williams’ sixth studio album, Bringin’ Country Back does the perfect job of letting you know what's in store once you settle in for a listen. Produced by Williams, the eleven self-penned tracks pay homage to traditional country music with a wonderfully heavy presence of pedal and steel on well-crafted songs that range from powerful ballads to those made for dancin'.

The spirited title track kicks things off with truthful, pointed lyrics, “Just cause you don’t hear it anymore don’t mean there’s no one to fill those shows;” while Williams readies advice on what to do when you’re in a “Honkytonk Situation” in the swinging dance hall ready number, “Texas ain’t just a state, it’s a state of mind.”

That’s followed by the laid-back charm of “Slow Roller;” the uplifting fiddle-laden “Hello World” (which recalls Alabama) and the cleverly written, double entendre driven “Church of Country Music.” Via a melody infused with a bit of the blues, “That’s Just Me” delivers a simple message that is more than appropriate in the current socio-political climate; “I Don’t Have The Heart” is a beautiful mid-tempo tune that could have easily been written or sung by Randy Rogers and “Keep On Keepin’ On” is a guitar-heavy anthem to keep doing whatever it takes to achieve the dream you’re chasing.

The album is rounded out with “You Beat All I’ve Ever Seen,” which is one of the sultriest ballads ever and the utterly sad tale of the demise of a marriage in “Goodbye Love” before closing out with Williams ode to another troubadour on “Willie’s Road.”

Williams covers much ground on an album that is thematically and melodically well-rounded - as well as thoughtful, touching, and downright fun. There’s real country music out there folks, and Zane Williams is definitely one of the singer-songwriters helping to bring it back to the forefront where it belongs.

-Tara

Since 2007, Nashville recording artist and Georgia Country’s 2014 Artist of the Year Erica Sunshine Lee has toured the globe, bringing her music to fans in the US, New Zealand, Europe, and Australia. The prolific songwriter, who has penned songs recorded by over a dozen artists, recently released her seventh independent album, Elixir, a sixteen-track collection that mixes ballads and bar room numbers with heart, soul and sass.

Lee kicks things off with “Shut Up Heart” a mid-tempo, emotional plea to her own heart to let go of an old flame. That’s followed by “The Bottle Ain’t Enough” an edgy country rocker that considers rekindling an old flame perhaps just for a night. The fabulous “Karma” (which recalls Miranda Lambert) is a frank, spot-on tune about a female who was once top shelf, but now serves burgers at a fast food establishment. “What the heck are you gonna do now that Karma's an even bigger bitch than you?”

Lee offers a sassy, spirited side on the rousing “Medicated” which chooses getting wasted over wasting tears because “Nobody wants to hear anther sad chick song bitchin about how she got cheated on;”  as well as  “Whiskey Bent and Jail Bound” a guitar heavy story about a guy who can’t seem to stay out of jail; and "Pills and Booze," an  ode to her good friends who take the hurt away .

In addition to those songs brimming with attitude, Lee also has tunes brimming with heart including the incredibly moving “My Favorite Word,” which offers a different perspective on the word goodbye, the stirring ballad “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It” about the need to reconnect in a troubled relationship and the thoughtful “Jesus and Georgia” which considers the desire to stray from one’s roots, but inevitably losing the fight and returning home (the place you might not exactly want to be).

Lee closes out the album with the cleverly written “Drunker,” the high-energy “Two Words,” which offers sage advice to another female, “Taking The High Road,” where she opts to steer clear of the drama and stress, and “Bar Brawl” where the drama she wanted to avoid finds her kicked out of the pub.

Elixir brews heart and passion with catchy hooks and well-written lyrics (that run the gamut from straight up fun to tear at your heart) into a country album that goes down easy. Give it a listen.

-Tara

Long before Blackberry Smoke and Whiskey Myers melted your eardrums with their Southern country-rock stylings, there was The Kentucky Headhunters. With decades of success behind them, the Grammy award winning group released their twelfth studio album, On Safari, on November 4th. Influenced by their first ever European tour and the loss of band members Richard and Fred Young’s father three days before heading into the studio, On Safari  pays respect to the Southern way of life via a trip through honky-tonk, country, and good old rock and roll beginning with the intensely catchy groove of “Beaver Creek Mansion.”

Serious guitar riffs and a driving percussive beat pulsate through “Deep South Blues Again,” and “I Am The Hunter” where vocalist Greg Martin sings, “Worries you know I’ve had my share/I’ve known trouble that’ll curl your hair;"  while   "Caught In A Dream," with its jaunty melody, harmonies, and welcome keys will be 100% caught in your head. 

On Safari also includes "Crazy Jim," a story that overflows with soul and honest emotion; standout “Lowdown Memphis Town Blues” a place obviously near and dear to their hearts, “I never knew sorrow could sound so sweet;” the infectious and inspiring “Rainbow Shine;” and the fabulously rollicking “Jukebox Full of Blues” before closing out with the low-key, shuffling instrumental “Govenor’s Cup.”

​Filled with often reflective lyrics, passionate musicianship and a hefty dose of good time fun, On Safari is definitely worth the trip. 

-Tara

Singer-songwriter Sam Brooker (formerly one-half of duo Sam & Ruby) has released his debut single, “Stay,” from his forthcoming solo project. Written by Brooker and Brent Anderson, the song tells the story of two strangers who have an immediate chemistry, but limited time, and decide to explore what might be - if only for one evening. With Brooker’s airy vocals and the song’s sweeping melody, “Stay” captures the possibilities, excitement, and romanticism in taking chances.


"Tonight I'm playing with fire
You got me in over my head
I just can't turn and walk away
I know you're breaking my heart
But I don't wanna lose you yet 
It's gonna kill me either way
So why don't you stay"