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The
Ranchhands - Driven
By George
Peden
 There
comes a time, a defining time, and a revealing truth in the life of
most musical artists. It’s known as the third album. An
artist’s first release can whet audience interest, creating the
ripple to move a career in the needed direction. The second album
normally rides on the success of that ripple. The interest first
created ensures (hopefully, fingers crossed and with a sackful of
luck) the second will become a building block to musical survival.
The second album is important. There’s no doubt about that. But
it’s not as important as the make-or-break third album; that’s
the one that seals the fate. Succeed or sink; it’s often that
simple.
The
Ranchhands have just released their third album. It’s out on
Farmer’s Market Music.
This
popular Nashville duo of Mickey Kennedy on vocals (he’s been on
the last two albums) and Chris Tedesco on fiddle, mandolin and
vocals (he’s been there since day one), propped with an assortment
of talented players, can rest easy. Driven is a stellar
offering. It’s 10 Tedesco cuts that comes tagged, deservedly, New
Country. And it’s an album sure to build on the band’s wide
European acceptance and growing American fan base.
With
Tedesco’s duel talent cache of songwriter and guiding fiddle
player, alongside Kennedy’s emotive and rock-tinged vocals, the
pair is quickly proving that 3 may be the luckiest number of all.
With
this album comes not only renewed energy, but Tedesco proves,
convincingly, he knows his way around the hooks, melodies and catchy
elements of modern country. Tracks like “Back Porch State Of
Mind”, a charged rocker catching the ache of hard work coupled to
softer images of a one arm rocking chair easing onto views of
rolling green, is a winning opener. But while this album offers
toe-tapping fare for the rug movers – listen to “Welcome To The
Middle,” the electric “Mary’s Northway Diner”, or the
virtuoso instrumental “Paradise” for proof – it’s in the
mellow moments The Ranchhands show their worth.
“When
Everything Changed” tells of pain and despair in a lover’s
death. It shows Tedesco can write a poignant tune and Kennedy can
carry emotion. More of the same comes with “Bigger Man”. BM is a
wholesome mix of neat playing and a tale of a kid who’s strength
comes with bullying – only to prove another kind of strength, the
adult kind, by leaving a legacy of selfless devotion to his fellow
man. It’s a touching tune. But more than that it shows, as a
songwriter, Tedesco’s apprenticeship is nearing mature completion.
In
2002 I was caught up with the first album, The Ranchhands. I
loved 2004’s, Back Home. Now five years on, Driven
proves the superstitious can relax. Good things do come in 3’s.
Website
MySpace
Megan
Linville
By Brianna
Nightingale
 Megan
Linville, a young Nashville native, has been singing and performing
throughout her life but has only been entirely focused on a record
deal since she graduated high school in 2006. Despite the
overwhelming pressure to do “the right thing” and continue her
education after high school, Linville decided at the beginning of
her senior year to turn music into a career for herself.
This
19-year-old singer/songwriter knows how tough the music business can
be, but she definitely has the mindset and self-determination to
thrive. “My inner voice was always telling me that I was going to
choose this, even from a very early age,” she said. Linville
believes that music is in her blood, personality and genetic make
up. Her grandfather, Jerry McBee, is one who greatly influenced her
love for music; he wrote for many country stars including Roy
Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis. Linville is determined to continue what
her grandfather has so powerfully started for her family. She has
taken private lessons on the piano for about 10 years and recently
took up guitar to help write songs. She recorded a few tunes with
John Carter Cash in August, hoping to move closer to earning a
record deal.
While
watching concerts over the years, Linville has learned the
importance of incorporating great stage presence with extraordinary
vocals. She admires entertainers who she says “are more than just
vocalists, but rather those who have intense, energetic stage
shows.”
Throughout her music career, Linville hopes to stay true to her
country roots and keep her audiences entertained, no matter how many
or few people are present. This country girl, who is proud of her
heritage, has a powerful voice that she will use to “deliver a
power-packed performance” every time.
Website
MySpace
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