Rowdy McCarran - Eyes Wide Open
By: George Peden, Staff Journalist
The gruelling schedule of rodeos, honkytonks, lounges and bars can offer little in the way of recognition to the struggling country artist. The road weary miles and the tip jar gratitude only add suffering to the struggle. To hone your craft, you have to cowboy up, ride the learning curve and hold on tight. It may happen for you. Generally, though, in an industry that chews and spits, it can happen to you. And I’m not talking fame.
Country music is one hard road to hoe. The competition is relentless. The grind is unforgiving. All the while, you need to fashion the songs, build the crowd and attract radio.
But if you’re lucky and you work your dues and if you don’t buckle when the going demands even more, you may stand a chance. Just.
Rowdy McCarran has worked his dues, ridden the miles and cleared the tip jars. He’s ready. And he comes armed. Eyes Wide Open is solid proof learning your apprenticeship pays.
With a generous 16 tracks this proudly independent album showcases and brands New Country from the get-go. The fiddle-drenched “Trailer Made” sets up a mix of pumped country, carried with a voice made for parties and volume- turning good times.
The Las Vegas native, along with his long-term bass player, Gerhard Krause, and a selected team of session players has turned in an album that has drawn industry interest. The album has enjoyed selected play cuts from a host of radio, local and abroad. With several tunes rotating on You Tube, fan interest is growing too.
And that’s no real surprise. With some tight production values at play and the involvement of key songwriters like Walt Aldridge ((“Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde –Travis Tritt; “I Loved Her First” – Heartland), Mike Pyle and Bobby Wills (and others) this album stands tall with firm favourites.
The patriotic and melodic “Hometown USA”, “Chick-A-Boom” and the dark sentiments of “Whiskey Sunday” all round out an album that is both enjoyable and memorable.
Be sure to listen out for a change of pace on the Jan Buckingham/Scott Thompson co-write “I Should have Danced”. The voice is easy and the tune thoughtful. All in all, there is plenty to offer a signpost suggesting Rowdy McCarran has his eyes wide open to the possibilities that should follow from a polished and crafted album.
Do yourself the favour, check him out:
Youtube Video
Album available now
The gruelling schedule of rodeos, honkytonks, lounges and bars can offer little in the way of recognition to the struggling country artist. The road weary miles and the tip jar gratitude only add suffering to the struggle. To hone your craft, you have to cowboy up, ride the learning curve and hold on tight. It may happen for you. Generally, though, in an industry that chews and spits, it can happen to you. And I’m not talking fame.
Country music is one hard road to hoe. The competition is relentless. The grind is unforgiving. All the while, you need to fashion the songs, build the crowd and attract radio.
But if you’re lucky and you work your dues and if you don’t buckle when the going demands even more, you may stand a chance. Just.
Rowdy McCarran has worked his dues, ridden the miles and cleared the tip jars. He’s ready. And he comes armed. Eyes Wide Open is solid proof learning your apprenticeship pays.
With a generous 16 tracks this proudly independent album showcases and brands New Country from the get-go. The fiddle-drenched “Trailer Made” sets up a mix of pumped country, carried with a voice made for parties and volume- turning good times.
The Las Vegas native, along with his long-term bass player, Gerhard Krause, and a selected team of session players has turned in an album that has drawn industry interest. The album has enjoyed selected play cuts from a host of radio, local and abroad. With several tunes rotating on You Tube, fan interest is growing too.
And that’s no real surprise. With some tight production values at play and the involvement of key songwriters like Walt Aldridge ((“Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde –Travis Tritt; “I Loved Her First” – Heartland), Mike Pyle and Bobby Wills (and others) this album stands tall with firm favourites.
The patriotic and melodic “Hometown USA”, “Chick-A-Boom” and the dark sentiments of “Whiskey Sunday” all round out an album that is both enjoyable and memorable.
Be sure to listen out for a change of pace on the Jan Buckingham/Scott Thompson co-write “I Should have Danced”. The voice is easy and the tune thoughtful. All in all, there is plenty to offer a signpost suggesting Rowdy McCarran has his eyes wide open to the possibilities that should follow from a polished and crafted album.
Do yourself the favour, check him out:
Youtube Video
Album available now
