"INTRODUCING TROY COOK, JR."

ARTIST: TROY COOK, JR
ALBUM TITLE: INTRODUCING TROY COOK, JR.
LABEL: independently produced

"AN INDEPENDENT VIEW"
by: Linda Fryer, BMI, CLA
© August 8, 2001

Once in a while, a young artist comes along, who makes me stop and think…"this person has what it takes to be a star!" Troy Cook, Jr. is just such an artist. He's got what it takes ….he's got the vocal magic…and he's got the good since to choose songs that work for him..AND for his audience! Troy has sent me his new CD, "Introducing Troy Cook, Jr.". And its great, Troy! I knew from the first minute that this was gonna be one I liked. I knew it, because I had to replay the very first song! I wanted to be sure I hadn't missed anything, ya know? WOW. I had to ask myself, "Who IS this guy, and why haven't I heard him before now?" Well, part of the answer, is that he's a young new talent (only 18 years old), new to the business of recording, and new to the business of marketing. And, being pure country, of course it almost goes without saying, that I haven't heard him on radio around here. A sad commentary but too often repeated in my reviews. So lets just get on with the review, ok? No since mulling over things I can't really control. (although you KNOW how much I'd LIKE to!)

Troy has the sound of many of yesterday's country singers. I say yesterday, only as a way to compare differences between today's POP artists who claim to be country, and the REAL country singers. Troy obviously knows the difference. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed that he sticks to his 'guns', and stays with the sound that will, one day, make him a star. I think that really, the only thing that could hold him back is radio. America's radio, that is. (Troy has already reached stardom on European radio, with many of his songs in the top 10 there, and in fact, four songs held the number two spot for several weeks!) But, again, I won't go into my opinion of American "new country" radio)…'cause I want to talk about Troy…NOT how I feel about the music business. (smile)

The first cut on this album is "What Can I Do", written by a host of songwriters…and I'm gonna name them all…cause they all deserve it. Darryl Lee O'Donnell, Leon Watson, and Eric Nelson. What a super song for a first cut, too. It got MY attention. But it wasn't only the writing that did it. Troy has a way with a song. He can sing, as I found out, almost ANY song, and make it sound good! And he does! Not that any of the songs on this album are good! In fact, the third cut, "Let There Be A Light", has always been one of my favorites …and the minute I heard him singing it, yep, I had to do a re-run..a re-play..a re-wind. Who DOESN'T like that one? And Troy does an excellent job with it. He has heart, and it comes right through. He believes the lyrics, and consequently, so do we!

Troy was basically raised in central Arkansas, (born in CA, but moved at the age of 4) and has been a country boy most of his life. He has a great interest and love for the outdoors, and all the things that go with it,, but long ago (if at the age of 18, you could refer to anything as LONG ago) he decided that music was his real passion, and he's dedicated himself to it. He's already traveled the states, performing with his band, "The Long Haul Band", and solo, too. Troy plays more instruments than I can list here, and says he'll play or sing anything, as long as its COUNTRY. Good goin', Troy!

I've learned that Troy has recently joined the Stardust 'family', and Colonel Buster Doss will be helping him direct his career. I think that's a good choice, and I know that most of you are familiar with the Colonel. Anyone who knows him, holds him in high regard, and so I am sure that Troy will continue to grow. He'll be releasing another album soon, and I look forward to hearing it. As Troy sings in one of the songs on this first album, (I'm) "Plain and Simple Country". He is…and you won't be able to deny it, when you hear the first note out of his mouth. Troy Cook, Jr. is bound to do something big in the country music business, and he's a cutie, too! Well, hey, that never hurts! (smile) But I'm beggin' you Troy, please don't lose the hat!! At least, not 'cause anyone tells you to. If it 'fits' your music today, I truly hope it continues to 'fit' your music tomorrow. I'm wishin' you the very best, and I have a feelin' that you and that guitar of yours, will be a big force in the world of true country music.

Check out Troy's music and career updates at http://www.stardustcountrymusic.com

…and as always, this has been…