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!