WILLIAMSON BRANCH, "Free," Pinecastle. 12 tracks
Williamson Branch is a family band that's a natural progression for Kevin and Debbie Williamson.
Kevin Williamson followed in the footsteps of his father, Jerry, and began performing in bands with Glenn Duncan and then Dave Evans while he was still in high school.
Then, he and his father formed Redwing and toured for 10 years.
In 1991, he and Debbie married and formed Shadow Ridge.
Their daughter, Melody, was born in 1998. And by the time, she was 2, she was singing with her parents.
Kadence Williamson, now 16, plays the ukulele bass with the family band.
Caroline, who started singing harmony when she was 3, is 9 now.
These days, they work together as Williamson Branch.
The new album, "Free," features eight songs written by band members.
Two of the others are classics _ Bill Monroe's "Jerusalem Ridge" and Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin."
Each member gets a turn at singing lead.
The title track is about a woman longing to be on the road, traveling somewhere.
"Old Man Hoback's Farm" tells the story of a farm that's been sold for a subdivision.
"Goodnight Angeline" is a remembered lullaby from childhood.
"I'm Gonna Move" is uptempo gospel.
"This Song's For You" finds a woman apologizing in song to a man whose heart she broke.
"My Heart Is Set on Tennessee" finds a woman longing to go home.
"More Than Ever" is a love song duet by Kevin and Debbie.
The final track asks, "If God Doesn't Bless America," then who will.
A good album _ but bluegrass purists will have to overlook the drums, piano and electric bass.
Look for it at https://williamsonbranch.com/boutique.
