Reviews:
Blair Garner - Host of After MidNite:
I've never heard Ken Mellons sing like this. "Paint Me A Birmingham" is a beautiful song, delivered with great emotion and a wonderfully mature sound.
From Larry Holden - Country Weekly:
"Paint Me A Birmingham," the ultra-poignant ballad could easily put Ken back on the radio map, just the way his rockin' "Jukebox Junkie" did in '94. "Paint Me A Birmingham" is a winner, so mark Oct. 28 on your calendar - the release date of Ken's new Sweet CD. Get down to your record store early that day and press your face against the door glass.
After Ken's version was lighting up the airwaves, Tracy signed with Dreamworks Records, and Dreamworks dusted off the two-year-old cut of 'Birmingham' and sent it to radio just last week. And thus, the battle for Birmingham began.
Who's on Top?
It's a draw on name power. Both artists have had huge hits, but both have been out of the spotlight due to label problems. It seems then that's it's going to come down to the music (as it should) and the promotion of the singles.
Pick Your Winner?
On the music alone, I have to give it to Ken Mellons. Tracy turns-in a good, but flat version of this great song, whereas Ken belts out an emotionally powerful version of the ballad with the sweet sounds of Vince Gill backing him up. I like both artists, but Ken did this song the way it should be done, right down to the broken last night. Tracy sings the song, but Ken feels it, and an artist that can put his all into a song takes the prize in my book.