Kyle Park - Beggin' For More

Once again my good friend Justin Neighbor gives me a gem of an album! For those of you who do not know, Justin is the host of the ONLY radio program in Kansas City dedicated to red dirt, Texas and outlaw country music. Please, do not be fooled or follow the posers. Justin is the real deal! No one else comes close…unless it comes straight from "deep in the heart of Texas" itself. Do your self a favor and check out his show, Kansas City Limits, every Sunday night from 8-11pm on 106.5 The Wolf (1065thewolf.com) in Kansas City where you will hear artists like Texas native Kyle Park.

As is often the case when Justin hands me a new cd, I was blown away when I inserted his new cd, Beggin' For More, into my player! At first listen, Mr. Park has an incredibly effortless, smooth, easy and unassuming flavor; it's smooth like butter. His voice reminds me of several different artists in places; the heartfelt honesty of Keith Urban; the slight twang of Clint Black; the gentlemanly quality of the king himself, George Strait, the ever-so-slight edge of Tom Petty and the exuberance and playfulness of none other than John Denver. You will probably have to Google that name. Mr. Park comes across completely comfortable with himself as an artist and that sense of comfort comes out of the speakers with impeccable authenticity, brutal honesty and an undeniable passion for music and its profound ability to affect the human condition! My friends, THIS is what country music should sound like all day, every day!

Mr. Park grew up in Leander, Texas and started writing and playing guitar at age 14 and found himself being played on the radio at the ripe old age of 17. He attended Texas State University in San Marcos...if that sounds familiar it should; that is the alma mater of one George Strait. Coincidentally, Mr. Park would sing covers with members of Mr. Strait's Ace in the Hole band while in college. Nice work if you can get it, to say the least.

He hits upon the country music themes with the aforementioned effortlessness; wine, women and song are explored throughout the records 13 tracks and from top to bottom are as solid a rendering of music I have heard to date. The production work is expertly mixed, voice to instrument, like a fine aged scotch. He paints great pictures and tells stories with the best country artists of the time. The epitome of songwriting land square on track #12, Fit for the King, a little ditty that pays homage to the aforementioned George Strait. Wow! It is eff'ing amazing and worth the price of the record! I dare you to try and name 'em all. Turn That Crown Upside Down is a raucous up-tempo number written in the same vane, however, it pays homage to the party animal in all of us. He carries the same artistry in mid-tempo ballads as well. Like Nobody Will is an ode to the woman that every man loves and Long Distance Relationship paints a bittersweet yet hopeful picture of a love that must grow through trust and patience. All 13 tracks make up the good stuff that is country music.

Discovering new artists and music is a life-long love. Justin has never steered me wrong…yet…and with Beggin' for More by Kyle Park, Mr. Neighbor continues to further my red dirt, Texas and outlaw country music "edumuhcation." The only difference is this education allows bottles of whiskey…as opposed to an apple…sitting on the teachers desk in the classroom. That is never a bad thing!

Blake Shelton - Based On A True Story...

The elementary, shallow and impersonal influence of rap/hip-hop has firmly entrenched itself into the country music world. That is not a criticism…well; maybe a little bit…just the reality. Let all the "he's just old" slinging begin, however, if observation, honesty and principle make me old, I can live with that. My eyes and ears are not closed to what I see and hear as many others in society seem to be in all facets of our world today. I live in reality and the reality is that country music has moved towards a younger, rap/hip-hop influenced base and in doing so, in my opinion, has lost a degree of its mass, multi-generational appeal. Sorry folks but the sounds emitting from your radio, cd player and other devices do not lie. Denial is not a river in Egypt.

All you need do to is listen to the new record by Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story… Five of the first seven tracks on this album solidify this fact. Slap country-esque subject matter into the title and call it country; even though inside and out the syncopation, structure and sound is pure rap/hip-hop. Then throw in the auto-tuner (the bane of ANY real singer. Why Nashville producers think they needs to use this is beyond me.) and you have a rap/hip-hop record all wrapped up in a pretty little bow being presented to the country music audience. Do not mistake my meaning. I am NOT calling Blake Shelton's new album a fraud, however, if you take an honest look and listen under the wrapper of this album…and country music in general today…I believe you will hear that which I type.

Further evidence of this devolution can be found in the lyrics themselves. Songwriting is an art. I have a tremendous amount of respect for anyone who writes music. Country music songwriting has generally been considered a notch or two (well, head and shoulders really but I am trying to be objective) above most other types of songwriting. Its romance, its storytelling, its ability to transport the listener and affect them on a personal, emotional level cannot be repeated by any other genre of music. Unfortunately, rap/hip-hop does nothing to further the artistry that is songwriting. Look no further than track #1, Boys Round Here. "Chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit." I will let you draw your own conclusion. Cursing and swearing has been part (a small part in most instances) of country music for awhile now, however, its use is minimal and the structure of the song was crafted in such a way that its use provided great effect when it was used. Think Charlie Daniels Band and The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Ask any comic or improvisational actor and they will tell you that that the easiest way…which requires the least amount of thought…to get a laugh is to drop an "f-bomb." Nowadays, music is beginning to require a "hit song" to contain cursing and swearing throughout. See track #8, I Still Got a Finger. Its subject matter is country; it has a solid country/rock sound but the rap/hip-hop influence runs throughout the entire 3:38. In contrast, Blake's version of the Rhett Atkins penned Granddaddy's Gun is a real highlight. He nails the emotion and paints vivid pictures that can be hung in just about every living room in America. Aaron Lewis also cut this song on his record; furthering the evidence that, just like telling the truth, great songwriting wins out every time it is tried.

This may seem like I am bashing the record and Blake Shelton. I am not. Although I am certain I will see and hear many outcries of such via Twitter. I love Mr. Shelton's honesty and the "BS'ers" loyalty. Trust me. I welcome the opportunity to have an honest, objective discussion; as long as the discussion does not start with "You're an eff'ing idiot!" Please tell me something I do not already know. Look, I love Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert. I have said many times on the air that if I could sit and have beers with ANY artist in country music it would be Mr. and Mrs. Shelton. I think they are two of the most authentic and real people in the world. However, that does not preclude me from thinking and writing honestly. That is principle and once principle is lost, we have lost ourselves as human beings. Please, buy or download the record and judge for yourself. Yes, we all have opinions and I am well aware (and will be reminded many times in the near future) they are all like backsides. However, if we truly believe in diversity and tolerance, that includes EVERY opinion and idea and not just what the media tells us what diversity and tolerance mean.