Keni Thomas - 'Gunslinger'

Gunslinger Bottom Line:

Gunslinger is Keni Thomas' sophomore effort and includes songs written/co-written by Keni as well as Kristin Hall, Bruce Robison, and Billy Montana. There are a total of eleven songs and an interesting fact is that in the middle of the album you will find a special message from the artist, talking about how he liked older records with music on both sides, so he tries to recreate that effect on his album.

About Keni Thomas:

Keni Thomas has been around the music scene for a few years now and it seems like he is only just beginning. You get the feeling that Keni has a lot more in store for the fans as he continues to be an opening act for such artists as Montgomery Gentry, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Trace Adkins. This is no surprise considering not only is Keni a singer, but an accomplished songwriter and former (decorated) combat veteran.

When he's not on the road touring with his music, he also serves as national spokesperson for the Hero Fund and Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which help provide children of fallen soldiers with college education. As nice as it is to enjoy an artist's music, knowing that there's also a charitable side to them is another plus. Being a giving person, either with money or time, really shows the kind of person someone is and that goes with artists and other famous celebrities.

Gunslinger - The Songs:

All the emotions running through a man's head as he heads west to the woman he loves is contained in the song "Shreveport 2 LA." When most people make the drive to Los Angeles they have hopes of making it big and becoming a star - but this man only wants to find happiness with the girl he mistakingly let get away from him. As he travels down the road he thinks about what he will say once he arrives to his destination. The accompanying video to this song fits right along with the song which is not something you see on a regular basis.

The next song really does have the ultimate summer feel to it, fitting considering it's called "Summertown." It can really take you back to your younger days where the skies always seemed bright and full of promise, and you felt like all your dreams come true. That innocent feeling that nothing can go wrong and that you'll never be let down. These type of lyrics can go along with just about any age group though, whether you are living the lyrics in the "here and now" or you're reminiscing. It's all open to interpretation, just like music should be sometimes.

After a breakup or divorce, even though you might be ready for the loneliness to move elsewhere you might still find yourself saying I'm "Not Ready For Love." There are different stages you go through, illustrated by the man in the song. I like the lines: "Life's waiting patiently to test my wings and I think about trying every now and then but I'm just not ready for love again." Haven't most of us been in that situation at some point in our lives.

"Billboards For Jesus" tells the story of so many people who were skeptical of religion, or for one reason or another they didn't want to give it a chance. Only to find that once the first step was taken, the leap wasn't so bad after all and they had found the missing piece of the puzzle. In this instance, a man saw a billboard sign and didn't understand the point of it, that is until he found himself inside a church the next Sunday. Now he's telling people his story and how it took a sign for him to find the way down on his knees. Another song with mention of a higher power is "In God's Hands," featuring a lovely piano intro and playing throughout.

After a quick explanation as to why the next set of songs was meant to have a different sound (Keni equates it to old records and how they would have "flip sides" which made it seem like there was another album to enjoy), he breaks into the song, "Gunslinger." That song shows off more of Keni's tough exterior, but the song that shows some sensitivity is "That One Is My Dad." It tells the story of a man's father who lost his life fighting for the good of our country. Thought he didn't know the father for very long, he left such a lasting impression on him that he wants to be the same way for the son he's now raising.

The song that really stood out to me and I believe would do well on the radio is "Out Of Nowhere," which is bound to touch those who enjoy or have enjoyed the special feeling of a love that started when you least expected it. "Suddenly love is in the air. Ain't it funny the moment I stopped looking how you found me? I know it's crazy but I can't live without your arms around me" is my favorite set of lyrics. Just when you think love isn't for you, Cupid comes knockin' and shoots his arrow straight into your heart, leaving you more than pleasantly surprised in the process. Thinking about that is enough to put a smile on anyone's face. It's the perfect feeling to sum up the majority of Keni's sophomore album.

Release date: November 4, 2008 - Tenacity Records

Gunslinger Track List:

1. Shreveport 2 LA
2. Out of Nowhere
3. Everything
4. Billboards 4 Jesus
5. Not Ready 4 Love
6. Free
7. Gunslinger
8. Summertown
9. That One Is My Dad
10. Blame It on Me
11. In God's Hands