Linville Album Release

by:  Richa Chandra

It was a Tulsa takeover of Nashville, at The Basement, tonight for the album release show of Travis Linville.

Travis Linville played to an eager audience.  The lyrics were pure Americana with stories of longing, memory, love and melancholy touched with a healthy dose of optimism.  Listeners either remembered their own stories or thought that they had lived them, with Linville’s honest and beautiful vocal delivery.  He charmed the audience with humor, in the brief moments when he spoke between songs.  The band was excellent as would be expected for Linville who is already respected as a performer, producer and mentor. Highlights were “Flowers in Your Hair” which opened the album, “Wishes” that brought the feeling of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”, “Bar Room” for the country mood.  “Two Time the Fool” and “Waltz Across Lonesome” showcased Travis Linville’s lyrics and vocals, as well.  “Worried Mind” and title track “Up Ahead” were evidence of a life of experience, contentment and hope for the future.

The band was comprised of bassist Aaron Boehler, percussionist Andrew Bones and with Jesse Aycock (Hard Working Americans) doing double duty on steel guitar, after having opened the show with an ethereal, atmospheric set with Lauren Barth whose debut album arrives in May.  The audience included fellow Oklahoma heavy hitters including songwriter John Hadley and artist Parker Millsap. Later, Todd Snider, joined in, on harmonica, for a song, to the band and audience’s delight.

After only three weeks on radio and essentially three days since release, “Up Ahead” has debuted on the Americana Music Association chart, this week, deservedly so.

It was a musical treat to attend the release for Travis Linville’s thoughtful and beautiful “Up Ahead”, tonight.