When his hotter-than-Phoenix-in-July cover of "Honky Tonk Man" showed Dwight swinging his long legs across the television screens throughout America, plying the eager ears with his honey-bourbon voice and pure Bakersfield/country roots delivery, a country heartthrob was born. He took home the ACM award for Best New Male Artist, then as the song "Guitars, Cadillacs" was winging its way up the charts, the album won a gold record. Although "Honky Tonk Man" gained a tremendous amount of air play, Dwight's first album never gained the popularity of some of his later work. The only other single released from this disc was "It Won't Hurt," which didn't chart as high as the title track and "Honky Tonk Man." But Dwight's appeal has always lay in quality, not quantity.

On this disc are some of Dwight's most powerful self-penned songs, such as the hauntingly beautiful "South of Cincinnati" and gripping "Twenty Years," as well as the gorgeous tribute to his coal-miner grandfather, "Miner's Prayer" (which Dwight still performs in concert today). It also houses some fabulous covers, for in addition to "Honky Tonk Man" you'll find Dwight's sprightly cover of "Ring of Fire" and superb rendition of "Heartaches By The Number." There is also a tremendous duet with Maria McKee, their pure hillbilly voices blending perfectly on Dwight's "Bury Me." There is not a single track to skip on Dwight's debut; from his voice to his delivery, this is traditional-styled new real country at its best, and one of the forefront of the original neotraditionalist movement. Don't miss it.

Reviewed by Kathy Coleman.