Rich McCready (Magnatone, 1995)

This debut from rodeo rock artist Rich McCready is going to be hot on the cowboy dance circuit. With a nice dash of Western Swing, McCready seems to be a young man on a mission. The pitfalls lying before him include falling into the dark and never ending abyss of being classified as a Garth-alike. Young and still wet behind the ears, McCready hits hard with both fists. What was impressive was that he took a honky tonk ballad with a classic '50's or '60's feel and do it justice ("Just Like Me"). For romantic respite, "What You Do To Me" is a highlight. Still, it is his cowboy stuff that gives the most bang for the buck. Starting with "Hangin' On," and including "All American Cowboy," McCready seems to be subtly putting the Western back into "Country & Western."A good first effort from a promising singing cowboy, who will hopefully continue making music in the same vein, retaining his sense of self. But, only time will tell. Here's hoping McCready can ride the wild bronc that is the music industry and stay on for the mandatory eight seconds.