Mickey Guyton
Today, we have a gathering of old friends and promising newcomers.
In the former category we have comeback discs from Mark Chesnutt, Confederate Railroad and Ashton Shepherd. As for the newbies, check out the tunes by Cody Jinks, the Drake Hayes Band and Truck Stop Gamblers.
Alas, there isn’t a whole lot to turn hand springs over. Mostly, this column is full of competent, if unexceptional, work.
The Disc of the Day goes to a sprightly effort by Mickey Guyton. The aforementioned Drake Hayes Band lands a DisCovery Award. This otherwise would have easily gone to Cody Jinks, but he already won it, way back in 2014. Why does does this gifted fellow make me wait so long between releases?
CODY JINKS/I’m Not The Devil
Writers: Cody Jinks; Producer: Joshua Thompson; Publisher: Lake August Publishing (BMI); Cody Jinks Music/Thirty Tigers
– Stately sounding and utterly magnificent. He is a flawed man, but asks for redemption while an echoey track shudders around him. This is the second time I have encountered this mysterious fellow in this column. He is a remarkable talent. Send more, please.
MARK CHESNUTT/I’ve Got A Quarter In My Pocket
Writers: John Ludowitz/Billy Yates; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publishers: Universal/So Bizzy, BMI; Row Entertainment (track)
– He is still as country as grits. The lead track from his new CD is a barroom toe tapper loaded with whining steel and bounced fiddle bow. Go, man, go.
CONFEDERATE RAILROAD/Lucky To Be Alive
Writers: Danny Shirley/Blue Miller/Sonny LeMaire; Producers: The Blueman & Danny Shirley; Publishers: THSONELLNVRCLR/Blue on Blue/Valentine Sky, BMI; D&B Masterworks (track)
– The title tune of the first new Confederate Railroad CD in nine years is a cool story song about a guy who grew up rough and self-destructive. It’s an intense “outlaw” ballad with plenty of atmosphere. I have always liked this act, so its return is welcome, indeed.
ASHTON SHEPHERD/With Us Tellin’ The Truth
Writers: Ashton Shepherd; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; AS (track)
– Ashton’s new album is titled Out of My Pocket. Its lead-off track is a blue-collar lament about farmers and minimum-wage folks struggling to keep their heads above water while the rich relax. Country music for the working class, like it oughta be.
AARON VANCE/Shifting Gears
Writers: A. Vance/R. Newman; Producers: Hal & Rachel Newman; Publisher: Windy Holler, ASCAP; Windy Holler (track)
– He is trying a little too hard, vocally. But beneath that is a genuine baritone resonance. The wordy, meandering ballad about an aimless wanderer lacks hooks and commercial potential.
CAMILLE RAE/Shadows Dance Tonight
Writers: Camille Rae/Shea Taylor; Producers: Camille Rae & Amber Smith; Publisher: none listed; CRM (track)
– Tuneless. Which is probably just as well, since her vocal ability is minimal.
DRAKE HAYES BAND/I Think I Love Her
Writer: Drake Hayes; Producers: Adam Odor & Drake Hayes Band; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; DHB
– Chugging rhythms and a jaunty attitude are the hallmarks here. His youthful, innocent-sounding vocal fronts a band with loads of licks. Recommended.
JANA KRAMER/Circles
Writers: Brandon Hood/Alyssa Bonagura/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Scribblin’ Dixie/This Is Gold/Jeffrey Steele, ASCAP/BMI; Elektra/Warner
-Sultry and sensuous. She’s dizzy in love, a sentiment underscored by a swirling production.
TRUCK STOP GAMBLERS/Side By Side
Writers: Logan Gray; Producer: Bart Rose; Publishers: none listed; TSG
– It’s a rolling “road” song with forward momentum, guitar grooving and a strong, drawling Texas lead vocal.
MICKEY GUYTON/Heartbreak Song
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Mark Trussell/April Geesbrecht; Producer: Mark Trussell; Publishers: Mickey’s Island/WB/Future Heartbeat/Ole Purple Cape, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
– Surprisingly feisty. Judging from the title, you might expect a weeper. Instead, it’s a saucy, sassy kiss-off. Her forceful vocal performance is abetted by a stuttering, chattering track that’s packed with energy. A winner.
About the Author
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.View Author Profile
