Bucky Covington
Bucky Covington [Lyric Street] April, 2007
Produced by Mark A. Miller and Dale Oliver
Review by Cheryl Breo
Bucky Covington began his journey to Country music stardom in Rockingham, North Carolina, racing dirt bikes and working in his family's auto shop. He "cut his teeth" on country icons like Tim McGraw and George Strait, teaching himself to play the guitar he bought himself after high school. All of this, paving his road to American Idol, and the rest, shall we say "is history".
"I'll Walk (Brent Wilson, Lonnie Lee Fowler)" is an uplifting, tender, heart touching song of a tragic prom night accident that causes his girlfriend to lose her ability to walk. The almost spiritual lyrics of the young woman's belief, strength and determination to walk again, is a lesson to all of us of the power of faith in God and the power of love.
"A Different World (Mark Neslor, Jennifer Hanson and Tony Martin)" happens to be my favorite track of this album. Although he's only 29, Bucky sings of a time when life seemed simpler, where there were no child-proof lids, no remote controls for the TV, no cable, the Pledge of Allegiance was said each day before school, along with a prayer, and Sundays were days of rest---not days of commercial progress. It brings this reviewer back to her own childhood, to days of outdoor swing sets, neighborhood cookouts, and unlocked front doors. It truly was a "Different World", one where what was "normal" changed forever on 9-11, and "normal" will never be the same again
Bucky's pure southern voice really shines in songs like "Hometown (Chris Tompkins; Josh Kear; Mark Irwin)" and "Carolina Blue", which he co-wrote with Mark Miller and Gregg Hubbard. Bucky also shows off his southern rocker side in "Ain't No Thing (Chris Stapleton; John Scott Sherrill)" and "Empty Handed (Chris Stapleton; Kip Raines)".
This American Idol runner up certainly comes in first place with his debut album. Bucky seems to have found his niche and he delivers it in his country-rock style. Filled with songs about getting the girl, getting with the guys, and getting with God, this is a wonderful start for a young man whose star is just beginning to shine.
