Jon Christopher Davis-Lone Star Attitude

Jon Christopher Davis

“Lone Star Attitude”

by TxLogCabin

Welcome back to Texas, bubba. After several years in Nashville as a successful songwriter, Jon Christopher Davis came back in his native Lone Star state last year to do music his way. Lone Star Attitude is Davis’s statement about his music strictly for the folks that fully appreciate it. Like many Texas artists who try the Gnashvegas path to fame and fortune, Davis found he needed the freedom, independence, and control of his music more than the jello-mold recipe of success that mainstream country/pop music offers these days. Penning 10 of the 11 tracks and with production help on only 3 of the selections (Radney Foster’s a co-producer and executive producer), it looks like Davis spent his time well in Tennessee honing his craft in all aspects of the creating, performing, and producing of his music. I caught a Davis performance shortly after he returned to Texas in 2004 at Texas Music Nation Celebration. I was impressed with his music, but was a bit put off by his Gnashvegas name dropping as he conversed between songs. But I was happy to note at a more recent performance that patter was evidently just a bit of nerves and that he is much more comfortable with audience acceptance of his music and presentation, and no longer feels the need to impress with allusions to mainstream country/pop drivel.

Davis gets things off to a fine start with "You Gotta Love Someone". The tempo is quick and the lyrics are witty. This is true Texas music with a bit of rock on the top. It closes with:

"Just close your eyes, take a leap of faith.

Don’t over-think it darling, cause love won’t wait.

There’s nothing like the feeling of sweet release

Go ahead do it, baby, set yourself free.

You gotta love someone.

You gotta love someone.

You gotta love someone.

Let it be me."

"The Bottom Line" is a bittersweet lament with a traditional country tone about the whole over-commercialization of the country music business. He pretty much wraps up the whole theme and reason people turn to Texas music with this one.

"Well, I tried to listen, but all I see

Are cartoon characters on TV.

And they can’t hear the difference today

Between saying something and having something to say.

Give me Waylon, Dylan, Haggard, and Jones.

Give me just a little more meat on the bone.

Johnny Cash come and take our hand

And lead us back over to the promised land.

Hey man, you went too far.

Won’t you bring back the radio star

Ran a good thing into the ground

When you started selling sight over sound.

And the thing that saddens me the most

Are the things that once mattered are now a ghost.

Why don’t you take a look at what you’re leaving behind

‘Stead of always thinking about the bottom line."

The title track, Lone Star Attitude, twangs and rocks with an edge that is Texas music to the core. JCD, you nailed this one to the wall, son.

"I been sweating like a pig in the hot east Texas sun.

Been working like a dog, waiting for the weekend to come.

My composure’s come unglued

Lord I’m in a crazy mood.

Well I don’t need long to tie one on.

I got a lone star attitude.

I might smoke all day and drink all night.

Do a little dancing, maybe get in a fight.

Between old Jim Beam and Gary P Nunn

I’m gonna raise a little hell and have some fun.

Gonna get a little rowdy and rude.

I might even run around in the nude.

Let’s get one thing straight

And make no mistake

I got a Lone Star attitude."

"Love Had Something Else In Mind" is another great Texas tune. It also works as a great segue into the other CD tracks.

"I didn’t know it at the time

But love had something else in mind.

I thought I was doing fine

But love had something else in mind.

My best laid plans lay broken on the ground.

It only took one kiss from her and it all came tumbling down.

Just when I gave up and didn’t try

Love had something else in mind.

When you think happiness has passed you by

Love had something else in mind.

When loneliness and heartaches got you down

It only takes one touch from her to turn you back around.

Just when you’re sure that love’s unkind

Love had something else in mind.

When no one sees the tears you cry

Love had something else in mind."

"Til the Silence is Gone", "California", "I’ll Wait for You", and "Sleep Baby Sleep" are slightly more pop than country, but they have the stamp of Davis’s style and work well with the rest of the album.

"From Here to Kingdom Come" is back to solid Texas roots with some pop influences. "Baby Looks Good on You" is a deeply touching ballad in a bouncy Texas style that tells the quirky tale about when his wife was expecting their daughter.

The whole CD is a winner and you should get yourself a copy. Try www.lonestarmusic.com or www.jonchristopherdavis.com. You can also check www.jonchristopherdavis.com for more info on Davis, his band, and schedule. To contact Davis by e-mail: joncdavis@comcast.net.

Written by Cheryl Arthur, May, 2005

Editor's Note: Jon Christopher Davis has been signed on the Palo Duro Record label and will be re-releasing this CD replacing some of the songs on the first release with new material. Jon is also releasing a live CD in the near future. We hope to review it as soon as it does! Stay tuned.

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