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Similar to some other projects being produced in Nashville (e.g. Mark Newton Band’s “Hillbilly Hemingway” on Rebel Records), there is a certain recipe (I won’t call it “formula”) for successful acoustic country with some bluegrass flavorings.
Producer Carl Jackson could write a dissertation on the subject. Call it “hard country” if you want to. Vocalist Bradley Walker just refers to his love of both traditional country and bluegrass music. The young man of 28 has built a strong network in both genres. There’s no question that Bradley has some powerhouse pipes. When folks have heard him guest on the Opry or appear on the MDA Telethon, they sit up and take note. Then, the recipe calls for some great Nashville session acoustic musicians. Stir in some drums for a commercial radio-friendly sound. Finally, whip up some well-written songs from the proven pens of Carl Jackson, Harley Allen, Larry Cordle, Craig Market, Mike Ward, Shawn Camp, Jim McBride and Jerry Salley. Pay some respect to tradition by covering an old classic nugget like lefty Frizzell’s “I’ll Never Go Around Mirrors.” Close the set with an inspirational gospel number, “We Know Where He Is.” Once all this exceptional talent, hard work and production effort is cooked in the Nashville oven, you’ll end up with a fully-baked album like “Highway of Dreams.” Nothing half-baked or overdone about it. Call it formula if you wish, but good chefs know the importance of having the right ingredients and following directions closely to end up with a sweetly-tasting delicacy.

You can hardly go wrong with vocal collaborators like Russell Moore, Cia Cherryholmes, Alecia Nugent, Sonya Isaacs, Vince Gill, Carl Jackson, Rhonda Vincent, Brandon Rickman, Jerry Salley and Larry Cordle. For goodness sakes, these folks are all first-rate singers in their own right, and they are relegated to background vocals on this project. Talk about good company! Check out the instrumentalists -- Ron Block, Rob Ickes, Aubrey Haynie, Adam Steffey, Randy Kohrs, Clay Hess, Jim Van Cleve, and others. The zestiest bluegrass tang appears in the four tracks with Ron Block or Ron Stewart’s banjo, with “Shoulda Took That Train” and “Payin’ Your Dues” establishing some up-tempo snappy grooves.

The album’s vocal and instrumental presence will elevate it to radio-friendly fare. I presume that’s why Tony Creasman's drums appear in every track. Fortunately, they’re rather understated and not too distracting, although I’d personally prefer the warm bark of the mandolin in sparer settings such as the gospel closer. Bradley Walker has garnered attention from the bluegrass community, and he’s fronted a group called The Trinity Mountain Boys that released “Breaking New Ground” in 1999. Then, Walker became lead singer for Atlanta-based Lost Horizon in 2001. Without totally selling out or turning his back on his bluegrass friends and fans, it appears Bradley’s now being groomed and market-tested for a potential jump all the way into country. “If I Hadn’t Reached for the Stars” mentions that the highway of dreams has no exit for easy street.
One of the songs he sings is “Price of Admission” with some sage advice - “for everything you do there’s something you do without….you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” I think Bradley’s got the talent and right attitude for success. Let’s hope that the price of admission just isn’t too high for him.

(Joe Ross)

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