Album Review: Travis Feutz, Country Music Forever

Missouri has traditionally been referred to as the "Show-Me State" and it's something newcomer country singer Travis Feutz wants to live up to with this debut EP. While not in the realm of stalwarts like Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, Feutz knows his way around a country tune and honky tonk on the straightforward "Country Song To Sing" which brings to mind legends like Buck Owens or Roger Miller. Later the singer nails an homage to Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, George Jones and Hank Sr. with "Drinkin With Ghosts," a tender, top-notch toe-tapper.

Feutz is getting a lot of attention for the gorgeous duet "Missouri Line (featuring Crystal Leigh)" as he should but "Life Without Parole" isn't one to forget. Here he sounds like he took the classic Waylon Jennings ballad "Amanda" and put his own spin on it. It's a tall order but he makes it work. What isn't quite up to snuff is "Honky Tonk Dream" which is a stretch at best despite the pedal steel trying to keep everything on the rails.

Although closing with a brief poem, Feutz offers up a sweet George Jones "Choices," proving this Missourian will be ready for bigger shows to come.

Country Music Forever was released October 29, 2021.
Listen to it here.