By Ken Paulson –
Kent Blazy’s new album My Life So Far is that rare album founded in truth and fueled by gratitude.
Blazy has had plenty of success, writing seven number one country songs and earning induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. But this musical autobiography is not about personal achievement. Instead, it’s a reflective acknowledgement of the people who helped make that achievement possible.
There’s “Still My Only Child,” the story of an early relationship that gave way to Blazy’s ambition and dreams, “This Song’s for You,” a salute to a longtime friend and “Thank Him Everyday,” the account of a bad relationship leading to a very good one.
The album is like an eloquent speaker stepping to the microphone to receive an honor and explaining why he feels blessed to be there. The difference, of course, is that this particular acceptance speech rocks, thanks in part to the presence of Steve Allen of 20/20 and Long Players fame. And is that a hint of the Bobby Fuller Four on “Thank Him Everyday”?
The album closes with the original demo of “For a Minute There,” a fine song written with longtime collaborator Garth Brooks, which appeared on Brooks’ The Lost Sessions.
Kent Blazy will showcase Life So Far on July 13 at Puckett’s in Franklin, accompanied by Allen, Lee Francis and Kevin Murphy.