19 March 2023

Review: Doug Collins and the Receptionists

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It’s been four years since Collins released his last album but it was definitely worth the wait. With this new project, which is more country than previous releases, Collins channels his inner Merle Haggard or Hank Williams. That traditional sound is a breath of fresh air and has won over the mid-west. His songwriting, which comes from a personal place, is to be applauded. A particular highlight is ‘Mama’s Shoes’ which reflects upon his mum’s passing. There is a vulnerability in his delivery as the emotion is conveyed. Collins brought in no other musicians on this record, just his Receptionists saying that he wanted to show off the band. They are a tight knit, cohesive unit who do a brilliant job of bringing these songs to life. To conclude, ‘Too Late At Night‘ is a fantastic record!

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Review: Crosby Tyler – Don’t Call The Law On Me

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Crosby Tyler is a new name to me actually but he has released a few albums before this one. He has delivered a record that is full of character, all set to a very typical country instrumentation with pedal steels and guitars dominating. The production is very busy throughout which, although works well in places, can sometimes overpower the lyrics. A stand out track for me is Trucker on the Road which I think is superb. It’s got a great beat that you can’t help but find yourself tapping along to and a chorus that gets stuck in your head on first listen. His gritty vocals add to the edginess of the record. ‘Peace, Love and Beer’ features a great guitar solo and the backing vocals add a new dimension. There’s some good songwriting on this record which would feel at home in a honky tonk. It’s an upbeat album packed full of personality. 

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Kassi Ashton makes Grand Ole Opry debut

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MCA Nashville singer/songwriter Kassi Ashton made her long-awaited debut on the Grand Ole Opry Wed. night, March 15. The widely acclaimed Missouri-native known for her free spirit and her rich, soulful voice, opened her Opry set with a stunning rendition of the Sammi Smith hit, “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Kassi explained to the audience the promise she made to herself when she was young that when she gets the chance to stand in the famed Opry circle, that she would sing one of the tunes from her Queens of Country songbook. Kassi next dove into a song she wrote Travis Wood and Todd Clark, her brand-new release “Drive You Out of My Mind,” playing on country radio now. “I tried to soak up as much of the history, talent, and magic of the circle my boots could hold,” says Kassi. “It went straight to my heart. My roots are still singing with joy.” Kassi is also currently on the road with Old Dominion for the No Bad Vibes Tour plus, fans can find her this summer playing the 50th Annual CMA Fest in Nashville this summer. Upcoming dates include a three-night run in Key West before heading up to Penn., Maine, and N.Y. For more information, visit www.KassiAshton.com.

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