"AN INDEPENDENT VIEW"
by: Linda Fryer, BMI, CLA
© March 2003
"A 'BILL' COLLECTION"
ARTIST: THE LITTLE ROCK BAND
CD: A 'BILL' COLLECTION:
SONGS BY WILLIAM ROBERT BRADLEY
A JOLLY GOOD RECORDS PRODUCTION
Someone real special in this business, sent me this CD, and I wish I could have jumped right on it for a review, but as usual, things were stacked in front of it…and fair is fair. BUT, now I'm gonna take some time to really talk about this one. Why? Because it's so good. And because it's a bit unusual. Unusual, in the sense that it's totally devoted to the works of one man who The Little Rock Band has chosen to honor.
That man is William Robert Bradley. And what a songwriter he is! So, let me first tell you a little bit about Mr. Bradley.
Although I've never had the pleasure of knowing him, personally, I get the definite impression that this guy is one of those "never give up" types. He writes because he loves it. And he writes because he's GOOD at it! That was evident when one of his songs, "Rock-a-bye Blues" was sung on the stage of the Grand Ol' Opry! What a thrill that must have been! Bill has been writing for many years, and hails from Ohio. He has many friends in Nashville, and really honed his songwriting skills during the 70's and 80's, where he met and worked with Gary Paxton, who recorded several of his songs.

The Little Rock Band IS Debbie and Gary Parker. They, too, are from Ohio, and are professionals in every sense of the word. Their music is such fun to listen to, and believe me, every song on this CD is something you can dance to. If you don't dance, that's ok, too. Just sit back and listen to some great old-fashioned country music. If you're like me, you'll LOVE the 3rd track on this one…it's the only song here that was performed by Bradley, himself! I can't tell ya exactly who he reminds me of, 'cause the names all sorta run together. But, he's one of the BEST 'talkin' singers I've ever heard. The song, "King and Queen of Cargo" just has to be MY personal favorite on this album! He joins up with Debbie and Gary on this one, and it's very well done.

Speakin' of Debbie and Gary, they've been married since 1987, and besides raising a big family, they perform and record, full time! Now that's commitment, folks. It's not easy to "have it all", and do it well. But, I'm happy to say, they not only do it well, they do it GREAT! Thanks to my old friend, Tom Wardle,
I've been introduced to a couple of 'indies' who I may have never come across, otherwise. I wish you all could hear them….HEYYY, maybe you CAN! Take a run over to their website at http://pages.eohio.net/littlerock and spend a few minutes, listening to their work. I think you'll want to add them to your collection, too! This is a beautiful album, and The Little Rock Band is now gonna be on MY list of favorites. They're a super

talent! …'course, again, that's only....