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PRESS
Bluegrass
Rules
Michelle
Nixon - It's My Turn,
Loni Kirklin
Reprinted with permission from Bluegrass
Rules
It's
months before the bluegrass festival season opens. We fans
are dealing with the cold temperatures and affects of festival
withdraw, but there is a solution to the winter months. So
take a minute, kick back and ease your winter woes as I let
in the sunshine that's making bluegrass grow!
The sunshine in this case beams from an artist whose very
energy lights up everything around her. Her captivating and
enjoyable personality personifies every agreeable aspect of
the bluegrass way of life. With one personal and two band
related nominations at the 2004 SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation
of Bluegrass Music of America) convention, it's obvious that
this head turnin', track stoppin', make 'em listen artist
is creating quite the excitement in the bluegrass world.
So ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, music fans of all
ages, allow me to present the shining light of bluegrass,
Michelle Nixon! This vibrant Virginian, with her angelic voice,
along with her phenomenal band, Drive, is taking the bluegrass
world by storm; and as a life long "bluegrasser" I say, "Bring
on the Rain!" Nixon and Drive, a band that she identifies
as "great musicians," in 2003 leaped on to the bluegrass circuit
with a certain determination that can only be described as
DRIVE! Now, in 2004, with a budding tour schedule, including
the prestigious invite to California's Grass Valley, and three
SPBGMA nominations, including Female Vocalist of the Year,
Nixon and Drive are going to need just that.
I
had the opportunity, back in September of 2003, to hang out
with Michelle for an entire day; pleasant does not begin to
describe the experience. We talked, she sang, we talked about
her singing, but what we did most was smile. I watched as
she interacted, both on stage and off, with fans of all ages
and I discovered that though this lady was full of talent,
striking in appearance and overflowing in personality, what
she was most was real!
I went home that evening with two things, a new appreciation
for people that truly love what they do and a brand new album
(CD)! In one show (the rest of the day was a bonus) Michelle
Nixon and Drive made me a loyal fan, so it was obviously that
their latest project, It's My Turn, was a must have. So what
was my first impression of the album? How does "WOW" capture
you?
It's My Turn is a delightful mixture of traditional and contemporary
bluegrass, something that Michelle, in our recent online interview,
deemed as one of her goals for the project. "We try to do
a mixture of music so there is something for everyone listening",
she wrote. Between drivin' songs like "Harlan" (#11 on the
bluegrass charts and 2004 SPBGMA nominated for Song of the
Year) and ballads like "One Small Miracle" (written by country
great Steve Wariner), I think they accomplished their objective!
It's common for albums to contain two or three really good
songs and then a bunch of filler, but I've come to find that
Michelle's album, much like Michelle, is far from common.
Each of the twelve songs on "It's My Turn" adds a certain
valuable spice, making the overall meal a satisfying one.
When asked about her song selection process Michelle said,
"I wrote a few, two were selected from the many great songs
written by Mr. Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall and then.a process
of eliminations. It is a lot of work.to [find] the right songs
to use." Well, it's plain to hear that all the hard work paid
off; Michelle and Drive put together a top-notch project.
The album kicks off with the chart rising single "Harlan,"
one of the two Hall songs that Michelle referred to. "Harlan",
the Hall's say "put the blues into bluegrass", but after hearing
her sing the song, one might very well state that Michelle
is keeping them there.
A bit of country flavor can be heard in the ballad "One Small
Miracle," but, like any good bluegrass artist would, Michelle
grassed it up just a bit. "I have to say Loretta Lynn and
Emmy Lou were my first inspirations. "They were so real!"
Michelle noted as she typed about her classic country background.
"I have always loved acoustic music but had always leaned
toward country music until it became apparent that pop and
country were one. I went to a bluegrass festival and got bitten
by the 'Bluegrass Bug'; I have been singing my style of bluegrass
ever since and [I] love it. I feel so blessed to be a part
of this music!" It seems the "real" Loretta and Emmy Lou taught
Michelle a lot more than just how to sing!
I asked Michelle to pick her favorite song on It's My Turn,
and after she was done pickin' at me for asking such a "hard"
question, said, "I have to say "Let Me Be Your Escort" is
my favorite. I think it is a very visual song.God helped me
write this one in my sleep.and the band really plays [it]
well." Michelle also penned the album's "The Writing's on
the Wall" and "No Matter."
Drive member Vernon Hughes (2004 SPBGMA nominee for Mandolin
Player of the Year) lends the lead vocal to the old-tyme [sic]
standard "Bees in the Hive", and in doing so shows that he
too knows how to put the "blues into bluegrass". In fact,
all of the Drive members, (Hughes, Justen Haynes [fiddle],
Eddie Shifflett [guitar] and Jason Davis [banjo]), have been
schooled in grass and have graduated with honors! Drive, the
band, is something that Michelle is always ready to talk about.
"They are the best! I love my band and I think they are a
bunch of talented guys! I think we have our own sound, just
a little different. They are great musicians and have GREAT
DRIVE!" The talents of Drive can be heard through out "It's
My Turn", particularly on the instrumental cut, "Couch Potato,"
written by Davis. As of 2004 Adam Seale adds his acoustic
bass and vocal talents to the Drive pool.
So, it's true, It's My Turn really does have something for
every listener. Steel drivin' "Joan Henry" (my choice for
favorite song on the album) to fun lovin' "Hello Operator"
to heart-wrenchin' "Beneath Still Waters," this album has
it all. Michelle candidly said,
"I think [my dream] means following my heart and going as
far as I can with my music.I hope each year my music gets
better and stronger [so I] can build a stronger relationship
with the fans. I love to sing for my fans!"
With devotion like that, it's clear to see why Michelle Nixon
and Drive are stirring up a buzz and building a loyal fan
base.
I highly recommend It's My Turn to all music fans, but don't
take my word for it. Get out there when the festival season
opens and catch a live Michelle Nixon and Drive show or better
yet, get an early "bluegrass fix" in February and check out
the group at the 2004 SPBGMA convention in Nashville; I think
you'll be delighted by what you hear!
Visit www.MichelleNixon.com to purchase a copy of It's My
Turn, get 2004 tour schedule, post messages, or get general
information on the group. You'll be glad you did!
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