JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS AND BALSAM RANGE

Daylight

2013-01-26

As a founding and current member of the Zac Brown Band, guitar player/writer/singer John Driskell Hopkins has plenty of experience with the country/rock music scene. Daylight, however, is his first solo release. Teaming up with North Carolina bluegrass band, Balsam Range, this Atlanta artist has made an album of contemporary country music, with bluegrass leanings. Many of the songs here would be right at home on any contemporary country radio station, such as the throwaways "Be My Girl", "How Could I" and the duet "Bye Baby Goodbye". It's when things get bluegrassy that Daylight really shines. "She Don't Love Me Today" sports fun lyrics and vocal harmonies. There is the darkly humorous "The Devil Lives in a Mason Jar". Fast-paced bluegrass instruments and vocals back Mr. Hopkins gravelly voice on "It's Not Ok" and "Shady Bald Breakdown" is obviously "Foggy Mountain"-inspired. Rebecca Ruth

Quick Links:

• John Driskell Hopkins Website