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The
magic of country music is that it reflects a changing society while anchoredin
an older, kinder, gentler origin. None of the younger artists have missed the
influence of loud rock with sometimes-violent themes, yet some of the individual
personalities really harken back to simpler, easier-to-listen-to music with lyrics
celebrating hono ralong with loneliness and heartbreak. If you’re making
a list of such artists, put Dustin Neighbors up close to the top. When you listen
to his album, “Circle Of Friends,” you’ll move him on up
on your own. Born in Anniston, Alabama but growing up in such diverse places as
Iceland, the South Carolina coast, and West Florida while his father was in the
military, music has been part of his life from the get go – indeed, soaking
up rock and roll from his dad, country from his mom, and bluegrass from his grandfather.
“I don’t know much of anything but music,” Dustin deadpans,
leaving
little doubt that that “deficit” does not bother him overly. The factor
that overrides any limitation one might presume is the natural grace and honesty
he brings to his music. Whether working with a band in a club, solo at an outdoor
festival, or in the studio with topflight personnel, the let-me-show-you-how-this-works-without-breaking-a-sweat
aura classically associated with Bobby Bare, Don Williams, and Randy Travis rises
in the music like morning mist on the Coosa River– it’s not easy to
explain but we know it’s
there.Combine that laid-back attitude with a
variety of songs (note: NOT a variety of genres – this is all Country) that
touch emotional levels of us all at some point, and we have an important mainstream
debut. Enhancing the outing are the musicians, all invited by producer John
Denny because of their musical abilities AND their presence in his life as
special friends, therefore the album title, “Circle Of Friends.”
Doyle Grisham plays pedal steel, dobro, and rhythm guitar; John Rees is on keyboards;
John Root handles drums and percussion; Tom Wild plays lead guitar; while David
Russell doubles on fiddle and mandolin and Toni Seahauzer is on bass. Vocal back
up is provided by John Frost and Jennifer O’Brien. Dustin has worked with
Ken Pearson’s Bluesprings Music Group for the past two years, putting
the pieces together for an opportunity to let the general public in on this magic
music.
The time is now. |
