CMT
Artist: Easton Corbin
Album: “All Over the Road“
Genre: Country Music
Easton Corbin’s sophomore album, “All Over the Road,” was released back in September, 2012. By this time, all of his fans know the songs “Lovin’ You is Fun” and the album’s title track, “All Over the Road.” These two songs were released as singles, and both did well both on radio, and on the country charts.
But there are nine additional songs on this new CD that Easton’s fans are going to want to know about. As you will see from the list of song titles and the writers for each song, Easton does more than sing on this new album. He had a hand in writing two of the songs.
The first and second tracks are his the two he’s already released, All Over the Road (Carson Chamberlain, Ashley Gorley, Wade Kriby); and Lovin’ You is Fun (Jim Beavers, Bob DiPiero). The nine that follow are That’s Gonna Leave a Memory (Tony Martin, Mark Nesler, Roger Springer); Hearts Drawn in the Sand (Michael White, Jason Saenz); Dance Real Slow (Carson Chamberlain, Ashley Gorley, Wade Kriby); A Thing for You (Easton Corbin, Carson Chamberlain, Tony Lane); Are You With Me (Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Shane McAnally); This Feels A Lot Like Love (Easton Corbin, Carson Chamberlain, Mark D. Sanders); Only A Girl (Carson Chamberlain, Wade Kirby, Will Nance); Tulsa, Texas Tony Lane, Mike Lane, David Lee); and I Think of You (Thom Shepherd, Jeff Silvey).
Since Easton first released “A Little More Country Than That,” back in 2009, people have been comparing his voice to George Strait. In fact, when hearing his debut single for the first time, a lot of folks thought it was actually an old George Strait song, and that George was singing it. While that is an easy comparison to make, you will hear a lot this new CD that is unmistakably Easton. “Only A Girl,” however, is the one on the new album that instantly reminds the listener of George.
“A Thing for You,” is one Easton had a hand in writing. It is one of my favorites on this album, with the kind of lyrics that make you want to listen, and not miss even one word. ‘Farmers farm and painters paint, God is good, and the devil ain’t… Summers hot and sidewalks crack, don’t ask me why it goes like that…” You’ve made your point, Easton, it just doesn’t get any more country than that.
“Are You With Me,” the albums sixth track, does slow things way down for listeners. I know country music fans pay a lot of attention to lyrics. I go to concerts, I hear them singing along. This is one I am sure they will play close attention to, and they will remember the words.
Things speed back up with “This Feels A Lot Like Love.” When that song starts, you are probably going to want to get out of your seat, start clapping your hands, and you will most likely want to sing along. It is the kind of song that works for Easton, and I believe it would make a good single.
The Florida native has a lot to say in this album. He has a good mix of strong ballads and more than likeable mid-tempo music. Whoever put the songs in order for the CD ended with “I Think of You.” This slow song with its romantic lyrics definitely made it the right song for the final spot on the album.
Even though is first single made it to No. 1 on the country music charts, he seems to have a more confident sound now than when his career first began. He has definitely found his place in country music, and it looks like he will be part of the industry for many years to come.
If you haven’t had an opportunity to see Easton in concert, you can keep up with his show schedule on his web site www.eastoncorbin.com. His web site will also point you in the direction of his facebook and Twitter account. Whenever you have time to catch up on country music news, visit us at www.countryschatter.com.
Author: Country of Country’s Chatter – www.CountrysChatter.com
Music Charts Magazine Album & Artist Reviews 2013
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Exclusive CD, Deep Roots, earns top spot on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart
Debuts at #2 on Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Chart
LEBANON, Tenn. (March 20, 2013) – Award-winning recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman’s new CD with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, Deep Roots, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart and #2 on the Contemporary Christian Chart. The CD, released on March 11, is available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations, iTunes, crackerbarrel.com and Amazon.com.
Chapman had long dreamt of releasing a country/bluegrass-infused album that would allow him to revisit his Kentucky roots. He does just that on Deep Roots with all new recordings of several beloved hymns such as “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” featuring Ricky Skaggs and “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad (Life’s Railway to Heaven),” featuring Herb Chapman Sr. and Herb Chapman, Jr. New versions of some of his greatest hits including “His Eyes,” “Be Still and Know,” and “Cinderella,” are also featured.
GAC’s Daryl Addison raves, “Though the songs on Deep Roots are filled with bright acoustic guitars, fluttering mandolin and some front porch dobro, Steven does an excellent job shaping his devotionals to the new sound.” Country Weekly‘s David Guy adds, “’Be Still and Know‘ is much more contemporary here with some glorious harmonies and chord choices. Steven stands tall with his single-vocal performance of ‘Rock of Ages.’ ‘He Touched Me,’ made famous by Elvis Presley, is enhanced by the group vocals and the softness of the band.”
“When Steven originally presented his idea of a collection of hymns mixed with original material involving multiple generations of the Chapman family, we thought it would be appealing to our guests,” shares Cracker Barrel’s Marketing Manager Julie Craig. “They have come to expect a variety of music in our stores and Deep Roots provides a unique, inspirational addition to our exclusive music program that guests of all ages have welcomed.”
Chapman echoes the sentiment, telling Billboard magazine’s Chuck Dauphin, “I’ve been through so much in the last 25 years, and more recently in the last few years – from walking through the deep grief of losing my youngest daughter in an accident–and all of those things that have made those songs all the more important to me. To be able to include my dad and brother, and have them sing with me, my son, and daughter-in-law, and even my bluegrass ‘big brother,’ Ricky Skaggs make an appearance, this was a dream come true for me to get to record.”
Chapman adds, “It’s an album I’ve dreamed about having the chance to record, and the planets – or should I say the biscuits – all aligned. I’m very grateful to Cracker Barrel for their outstanding partnership.”
In support of Deep Roots, Chapman joined his father, brother and son on stage at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday, March 16 to entertain a packed house with select songs from the record. He also completed a national satellite media tour, was featured on AOL’s The Boot, AXS Live, Better TV, Salem Radio Networks and more. Fans can catch Chapman on GAC’s Positively GAC on March 24 and March 31 (Easter Sunday) at 7 a.m. ET, and Rural TV’s (FamilyNet) The Rural Evening News at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Deep Roots is available at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations and online at crackerbarrel.com, Amazon.com and on iTunes.
About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its made-from-scratch biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 622 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® location is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.
About Steven Curtis Chapman