Blue County - Self Titled Debut
By: Cheryl Harvey Hill
Before I say anything else about this album, let me tell you a very important thing about this duo; there is no "r" in their name. I mention this because I know I am not the only one who thought this group was called Blue CountRy -- they are Blue County, so now you know why that Google, Boolean search turned up nothing.
Blue County is comprised of longtime friends Scott Reeves and Aaron Benward. Benward, the son of a professional gospel singer, moved to Nashville while he was still in high school. He enrolled at Belmont University on a soccer scholarship and majored in music industry studies. He eventually left school to tour with his father for several years and they recorded three CDs together.
The route that Reeves took to reach country radio, included a detour through Beverly Hills (where his father worked with the police department.) After high school, Reeves, who was already acting and playing music, took classes for two years at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and began working in commercials and on television, which landed him the role of Ryan McNeil on The Young & the Restless.
Fate brought Reeves and Benward together at a video shoot many years ago. At that initial meeting they discovered they shared a lot of the same career goals so they made it a point to stay in touch. Over the years they became good friends and their two families became close.
For months before the release of this album, Blue County was discussed, dissected and scrutinized around water coolers across the country. "Being a 'soap hunk' doesn't guarantee success in Nashville if you can't sing" was the standard remark. As we now know, Benward and Reeves not only can sing, but they are also accomplished musicians and songwriters.
As I write this, "Good Little Girls" is sitting solidly on the charts and moving upward. By the time I submit this feature, Blue County will most likely be in the top ten and there are other songs on this album that have the potential to chart as well. "Summer Song," "That's Cool" and "Walk On Water" are all lyrically strong and musically pleasing and for a profound life-lesson, delightfully delivered by good ole feel-good music, "Sunday Driver" is perfect.
Benward says, about his father (Jeoffrey), "He never [sang] for financial reasons; it was always because of a passion to affect people through music. That spoke to me and instilled that idea to go for your dreams, no matter what." Country music fans are glad he heeded the words of his father and that he decided to include Reeves in pursuit of his dreams. In wrapping up this review I do want to remind you of this most important fact about this talented new duo; although there is no "r" in Blue County, there is an "r" in perfection; and Benward and Reeves come pretty darn close to that on this new album.
Before I say anything else about this album, let me tell you a very important thing about this duo; there is no "r" in their name. I mention this because I know I am not the only one who thought this group was called Blue CountRy -- they are Blue County, so now you know why that Google, Boolean search turned up nothing.
Blue County is comprised of longtime friends Scott Reeves and Aaron Benward. Benward, the son of a professional gospel singer, moved to Nashville while he was still in high school. He enrolled at Belmont University on a soccer scholarship and majored in music industry studies. He eventually left school to tour with his father for several years and they recorded three CDs together.
The route that Reeves took to reach country radio, included a detour through Beverly Hills (where his father worked with the police department.) After high school, Reeves, who was already acting and playing music, took classes for two years at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and began working in commercials and on television, which landed him the role of Ryan McNeil on The Young & the Restless.
Fate brought Reeves and Benward together at a video shoot many years ago. At that initial meeting they discovered they shared a lot of the same career goals so they made it a point to stay in touch. Over the years they became good friends and their two families became close.
For months before the release of this album, Blue County was discussed, dissected and scrutinized around water coolers across the country. "Being a 'soap hunk' doesn't guarantee success in Nashville if you can't sing" was the standard remark. As we now know, Benward and Reeves not only can sing, but they are also accomplished musicians and songwriters.
As I write this, "Good Little Girls" is sitting solidly on the charts and moving upward. By the time I submit this feature, Blue County will most likely be in the top ten and there are other songs on this album that have the potential to chart as well. "Summer Song," "That's Cool" and "Walk On Water" are all lyrically strong and musically pleasing and for a profound life-lesson, delightfully delivered by good ole feel-good music, "Sunday Driver" is perfect.
Benward says, about his father (Jeoffrey), "He never [sang] for financial reasons; it was always because of a passion to affect people through music. That spoke to me and instilled that idea to go for your dreams, no matter what." Country music fans are glad he heeded the words of his father and that he decided to include Reeves in pursuit of his dreams. In wrapping up this review I do want to remind you of this most important fact about this talented new duo; although there is no "r" in Blue County, there is an "r" in perfection; and Benward and Reeves come pretty darn close to that on this new album.
