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CMA New Artist Spotlight: Cadillac
Sky
PHOTO
BY ERICK ANDERSON
Skaggs
Family recording artist Cadillac Sky.
| By
Kristen Sherer |
| ©
2007 CMA Close Up News Service |
When asked about their
musical roots, the members of Cadillac Sky answer as a group - "Grandpa's
record collection." On their self-produced debut album on Skaggs
Family Records, Blind Man Walking, released in January, the bluegrass-inspired
quintet - lead vocalist/mandolinist Bryan Simpson, banjo player
Matt Menefee, guitarist Mike Jump, fiddler Ross Holmes and bassist
Andy Moritz - does show off the kind of instrumentation and respect
for tradition that would make their elders proud.
But there's something
else going on here. While there's plenty of slick mandolin licks
from lead songwriter Simpson and some downright pyrotechnic banjo
picking from Menefee, for Cadillac Sky it's delightfully obvious
that the song is king. That's where their other big influence -
The Beatles - comes through loud and clear.
From the album's leadoff
track and debut single, "Born Lonesome" (co-written by
Simpson and Bob Regan), to the album's mournful title track, Blind
Man Walking serves as a stunning showcase for Simpson's songwriting.
He's already listed as writer on songs for top Country artists including,
Martina McBride, George Strait and Gretchen Wilson, and he served
as co-writer on 12 of the album's 13 tracks.
Guitarist Jump picked
up the remaining songwriting credit, contributing the backwoods
biographical "Mountain Man." Originally from Fort Worth,
Texas, the members of Cadillac Sky now call Nashville home, and
from the innovative and refreshing sound of their debut, this band
is definitely going places.
IN THEIR OWN
WORDS
(All responses from Bryan Simpson, Cadillac Sky lead vocalist and
mandolinist)
Which song would
you secretly like to cover?
"Gnarls Barkley's 'Gone Daddy Gone.'"
What CD is on your
stereo?
"The great Buddy Miller's latest record, Universal United House
of Prayer."
What book is on your
nightstand?
"The One Year Bible."
What is your pet
peeve?
"Apathetic soundmen."
What song do you
wish you had written?
"'It is Well with My Soul.'"
When they look back
on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?
"They went down swinging."
On the Web: www.cadillacsky.net
AmericaJR.com
is Detroit's exclusive media outlet for this syndicated weekly column!
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