Jeff Bates - "One Second Chance"
Wow! That's all I can say about this song. Written from many of his life experiences, "One Second Chance" sounds like a hit to me. While it's not the typical "up-tempo, summery song" it's the perfect contrast to those songs and also shows a different side to the sultry styling normally associated to Jeff Bates. Hopefully radio will play this one more than Jeff's last two singles.
SHeDAISY - "In Terms Of Love"
SHeDAISY has had an up-and-down career but with songs like this one, these three sisters should have no trouble in having a hit with this mid-tempo track. With atmospheric production from new producer John Shanks, the song hits all of the right spots.
Cheree Silcox - "In His Dreams"
Like I said with Doug Stone's single last week, it takes a special song for an indie artist to have a good shot at radio airplay. While the lyrics on the song are very good, (they talk about a tragedy with a little child), Cheree's voice isn't nearly as good as what's required to have a hit on radio.
Darryl Worley - "Nothin' But A Love Thing"
Darryl Worley was a solid artist for DreamWorks with a few No. 1 hits and two No. 1 albums to his credit. He certainly could've signed with another major record label after he was let go from MCA after DreamWorks folded into the label. Instead of doing that Darryl chose to sign to Neal McCoy's 903 Music, and if this song is any indication, Darryl did the right thing. "Nothin' But A Love Thing" is a fun, sexy, southern rock styled song. It's certainly different from Darryl's past hits, and that alone will help to make it a hit.
Dustin Evans - "If I Die Before You Wake"
Signed to Giantslayer Records, the label that gave Blaine Larsen his start, Dustin Evans comes out of the gates with a very impressive debut single. With a strong voice similar to John Corbett, Dustin Evans could sneak onto Country's Top 40 with this lovely song that anyone in the military will appreciate.
Trace Adkins - "Swing"
With the baseball season now in full force, "Swing" is an appropriate summer single choice for Trace. Like "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" and "Hot Mama," the song is a "ditty." Is it something that's going to win awards? No. But it'll appeal to many people. Still, I hope Trace will release a more meaty song next time.
Luke Stricklin - "Does That Make Me Bad?"
Luke Stricklin came out of nowhere and had a hit with his first military-themed song last summer. With this song, the former military member has a wonderful voice and a nice traditional country-based song that, in a just world, would be a huge hit. This is the kind of "indie" artist that radio can open their airwaves to.
Michael Anderson - "Fly With The Eagle"
This is a new single on an independent label (Rocket Man Records) that I was, unfortunately, unable to find anywhere online to preview.
