Search - Michelle Nixon :: What More Should I Say

Bluegrass on the sunny side

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 08/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 39:32 -- About two years have passed since Michelle Nixon & Drive grabbed our attention with their debut album, "It's My Turn." Now, with their sophomore effort, folks from the misty valleys of the Pacific Northwest will especially relate to the hard-driving and appealing opener, "I Know Rain," (written by Dixie and Tom T. Hall) on their new Pinecastle release entitled "What More Should I Say?" The title cut, appearing at track 2, was written by the band's guitarist and "other" vocalist Patrick Robertson who also penned "I Know." Dallas Frazier's "If It Ain't Love" has been done by other bluegrass units, and Southern Connection comes immediately to mind. Nixon & Co.'s version has a copious amount of contemporary get-up-and-go.



For broad, far-reaching appeal, this contemporary Virginia band blends bluegrass, country, and gospel to soothe every possible downhearted disposition. Their music is happy, upbeat, and Michelle has assembled a band that will solidly lay claim to their place as one of the most happening and dynamic acts on the bluegrass scene. Michelle sings with unique gusto that immediately that identifies her. Nixon also wrote "Prisoner of Your Love" and "Heart of Stone." The former gives both of the band's lead vocalists a chance to showcase their contemporary, yet haunting, mountain feel. The latter is a story inspired by Nixon's daughter and son-in-law. Robertson also injects considerable energy into his vocalizing, equally matching Nixon's forceful presentation. They're pretty fair vocal compatriots. With only two vocalists identified in the core group, additional harmonies are sung by fiddler Justen Haynes. Bill Anderson and Michelle Nixon sing a duet on "We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds," a country song written by Melba Montgomery. Anderson penned "Slippin' Away," a tune whose hook proved successful for Jean Sheppard years before.



While music is a large part of her life, Michelle Nixon also has three kids, owns a hair salon, teaches Sunday School, and loves to camp, fish and play sports. With Michelle in the driver's seat, this band can hardly do wrong. The band has had a few personnel changes since their first album. Vernon Hughes and Eddie Shifflett are no longer with the band. The band's nickname for Jason Davis (banjo) is "Boy Wonder," a homeschooled teenager and all-around great guy from Dinwiddie, Virginia. Jamie Harper (mandolin) and Adam Seale (bass) round out the quintet. Justen Haynes (fiddle), a recent grad of Shenandoah College, is credited as a guest artists, along with Jeff Murray, Mike Toppins, Phil Leadbetter, and Bill Anderson. Associating with four young and talented string burners, Nixon has built a quintet whose bluegrass is clearly on the sunny side. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Michelle and the Boys keep on Drivin

Jacks Daddy from N.C. | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 10/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michelle Nixon and Drive have the talent to be the one of the top Bluegrass Band's in the Country. I had a chance to see them Live, and they Rocked the House. The cd's first tune,I Know Rain, gets your Blood Pumping. My favorites tunes are: If It Ain't Love, I Know Rain, What More Should I Say, and Tree Of Hearts (a Love Song). You will enjoy the whole CD, Take Michelle Nixon and Drive for a spin, You'll Thank Me Tommorow ! Enjoy, Brad Brinkley"