I was going to try to squeeze Austin Hartley-Leonard into Honky-Tonk Friday but had to abandon that since his music lacks that twang found on most Honky-Tonk Friday posts. If he was based anywhere else but LA perhaps his music would have a more country sound but as it is now he makes more like Ryan Adams than Merle Haggard. What is it about LA that puts a sheen on the sound of so many young artists? Sure there are exceptions to the rule but it seems like the bulk of LA singer-songwriters are hoping for that Gray’s Anatomy placement rather than focusing on how to make their music more “real”.
With all of that said, I like the start of “Golden Opportunity” with it’s banjo and scratchy vocals. Heck I even like the poppy horns that enter the song toward the end. The new record is called Franklin Avenue.
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P.S. I wanted to share with you the new song from JD Souther. But at the same time I don’t want to end up in federal prison like this guy. See the new record is on a subsidiary of Sony and although I got the song fair and square I just don’t want to push it. So instead of hosting the song myself, please visit JD’s homepage, sign up for his email list and the song is yours free of charge.