Chris Richards - Tumblers & Grit

Hard-hitting country-folk with a heart and vibrant emotion, tremendous Americana with a powerful bite. Chris Richards is a true voice and a phenomenal songwriter, with as awesome backup band. This guy is real stuff.

Who says there's no great country music in Sheboygan, Wisconsin? Well, Chris Richards himself admits it's not exactly a hotbed of roots music outlaws, but nevertheless he managed to grow up there and not only find those roots, but embrace them with amazing power, emotion, and incredible raw talent.

With a deft hand at sharp, clever lyrics and a warm, rich, comfortable voice, Richards presents a tremendously listenable disc, a collection of 11 strong tracks that shift from the sorrowful irony of "To Sing the Blues" to bouncy toe-tapping numbers like "Nashville Gas." Whether two-stepping through the "Honky-Tonk Graveyard" or mourning love lost in "Hearts Like These" (duet with Dawn McCoy), there is something remarkable about Richards' lyrics that tugs at the heart.

Backed by a collection of musicians drawn from the cream of Nashville's studios and self-released on his own independent label, Richards is obviously not only a talented artist, but a shrewd businessman as well. It's a potent combination, and I'm hoping to hear a lot more from this young man.