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Shelley May - "Free Me When You Go"
By Jim Weaver This
is something that you won't normally see me do here on CSO... write
a review on a song. When we put forth our time and energy, it's
usually for a whole album, concert or interview... but let me ask
you this; When was the last time you were moved by a song? Or a
voice? Or a combination of the two? I like all kinds of music, and
being raised in a very musical family, I get great joy from
listening to music and singing and playing along. But while surfing
among the thousands of singers on MySpace today, I stumble upon
Shelley May singing a little tune titled, "Free Me When You
Go". I was stunned by the song and May's flawless delivery and
deep emotion. Shelly has other songs out there on CDBaby for
download, and they're all pretty good, but not this good! She
doesn't have an album yet as far as I can tell and her website is a
little thin, but you have to hear this song. I know I've seen her
before, I'm pretty sure I've heard her before, I don't know if she
wrote this song or someone else did, but somebody needs to hear
this, and it might as well be you. You can go through her website
but the fastest way to the song is through her MySpace site. Go, go
now!
www.myspace.com/shelleymaymusic
www.ShelleyMay.net
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May 2006
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2006
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2006
December 2005
November
2005
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Mark Holt &
Kimberlee Holt Tully - Acoustically Native
By George Peden
 Retro
acoustic classic country with a 1970's feel, made complete with a
bluegrass sound and an edgy kick, is how it’s described. For this
brother and sister duo, it’s a banner that works. Out with
their 11-tracker, Acoustically Native, the album covers a
range from classic Marty Robbins to a classy Frank Sinatra medley.
It’s all tempered with an easy and friendly feel that fits the
given label.
Propping the duo is a
celebrated band of musos. These include Randy Kohrs on Dobro, Stuart
Duncan on mandolin and fiddle and Kathy Chiavola on harmony vocals. With
Scott Vestal on 5-string banjo, Mark Fain on bass fiddle, Pete
Huttlinger on guitar, Tim Tappan on piano with the Holt siblings
offering percussion and guitar, the ensemble is pitch perfect.
Opening the album is
a Marty Robbins tribute, “El Paso City”. Pairing Mark Holt and
Chiavola works wonders, especially in the rich falsetto moments
heard on the tune. “Midnight Rider” the Gregg Allman-penned
memory, is an album standout, driven hard by some polished banjo.
The Jerry Hayes written, “Roll’n With The Flow”, is a pleasing
inclusion, while the classic “Cattle Call”, a tune written in
’35 by Tex Owen, receives a notable reworking.
Showing musical
diversity is the curious inclusion, but album successful, Frank
Sinatra Medley: “One More For The Road”/ “The Way You Look
Tonight”. Smooth and fuelled, the two tracks blend tightly with
the backed instrumentation, proving that familiar and dated music,
with the right application of passion and talent, still holds up.
Mark Holt’s further
versatility shows on his three written tunes for the album –“One
Last Dance”, You’re In My Arms To Stay” and “All Over
Now”. Holt and his sister share trail riding memories on the
closing tune, “Cowboy Up”/”Riding For America”. Written at
the request of the trail leader for an international ride, one
navigating Alberta, Canada, Wyoming and the Statue of Liberty, the
tune highlights deeper 9/11 thoughts behind saddle sore lyrics.
www.markandkimberlee.com |
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Jason Meadows - Self-Titled
Debut
By Penny Rondinella
 Jason Meadows is more than a country music singer with
heart, it's in his soul. He is a true blue cowboy, his cowboy hat slightly off center just like his
grandfather use to wear his. Not only did he teach Jason these words of wisdom “Never trust a man who
wears his hat straight!” he taught him to play the fiddle and harmonica. Jason
learned these things while working on his grandad's farm during the summer. He also taught
himself to play the guitar which his mother gave him as a gift. Discovering his passion for
singing when he was only six, he sang at school, county fairs, rodeos, winning talent shows and
state competitions. Later spent years
singing in nightclubs, dance halls and honky tonks, traveling all over.
An Oklahoman wanting to make it in country music with influences like Merle Haggard, George Strait
and idle Hank Williams Jr. just knew he needed to make a move to Nashville. Now
Meadows has an awesome debut CD and is currently working on the next. If
he looks familiar, you may have heard his amazing voice on season 3 of Nashville Star. He
has some great songs like "Big Shot" on his debut album.
www.jasonmeadows.com
www.myspace.com/jasonmeadows100cowboy
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Here at
CountryStarsOnline.com we’re always on the lookout for emerging
talent, and acts that have been around for a while, but
without the fanfare they deserve. That’s going to change. Here in
"
Waiting In The Wings" we’re going to introduce you to acts and
performers who, for one reason or another, have caught our eye and
our ear. We think you’ll like them.
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