From the thick of the Red Dirt music scene
comes a debut artist with a hypnotizing talent that takes us back to the
traditional sound of country music. In the onset of what will surely
become a most respected career, Darren Kozelsky comes into radar with
his debut release, Let Your Mind Fly, on Boo Hatch Records. Texas
born and bred, Kozelsky is the spittin’ image of that contagious gene
that runs through the Red Dirt blood stream. A San Angelo State
University graduate, and on the Dean’s list no less, his emerging
aptitude as a singer/songwriter has been recognized and embraced by his
audience and peers alike. Wade Bowen is but one of many in the
“brotherhood” who senses the inevitable success of this newcomer,
proving that good word travels fast.
“Darren Kozelsky
has one of the best debut albums of any artist I have heard from in this
scene. His powerful voice and remarkable character will take him
extremely far.” -- Wade Bowen
Sharing the writer’s
log with A list versifiers such as Red Dirt God father, Bob Childers,
Tom Skinner, Jonny Burke and Sean Faires (Dedringers), and Mike McClure
was initially a nerve racking experience as Darren admits. “It was
very intimidating when Mike stepped in to assist in writing. It was a
really big deal being that I am such a big fan of Mike’s. I was a
wreck.” As the formation of the record progressed, Darren found
himself facing his songwriting fears while being held close under the
wing of Mike McClure. Reverently known for his signature tales including
“Rather Have Nothin’,’” which will appear on Garth Brooks’
February release of The Lost Sessions, McClure has also become
one of the most coveted producers in the Red Dirt music scene. His
savoir faire for making records is wide spread including all three major
label releases from touring super giants, Cross Canadian Ragweed.
"Working with Darren has been one of my favorite projects. Let Your
Mind Fly is the best record I've ever recorded with the most country
sound I have done in a while. He has a powerful voice and we have all
the top-notch players on it. I'm very proud of it.” Some of the
prime time players include legendary Texas steel player and GRAMMY award
winning producer, Lloyd Maines, and fiddle player Cody Braun from
Reckless Kelly.
Darren’s warm country
cadence ushers us into “Cool Grass” with the ease of that George
Straight-esque southern comfort, and a fluent nature inherited in part
by the unmistakable whine of Texas steel player, Lloyd Maines. Its
enlightened attitude, as the record’s title suggests, sets a tone for
what becomes a solid body of “chicken soup for the soul.” The
collection is finely “tuned” and highly caffinated with tunes like “Loving
You” and “Mind Over Matter’.” The vagabond saunter of “Running
Kind” is a widely received theme in the country music curriculum,
and it goes hand in hand (like all the best combinations) with the tale
of chance encounters that can lead to change of heart in “Restless
Spirits.” It’s the every day candor of life that makes the best
stories whether it is in the form of a paperback or a record, and this
one is not without its tearjerkers. The imploring words from a lover’s
heart in “Love Was Just A Joke,” lends us mercilessly into the
gorgeous serenade of “Name On Her Wing,” an ode that would make
even the most cynical of broken hearts believe again. Let Your Mind
Fly should most definitely hold high rank in any country music
lover’s collection. Although highly addictive, it’s quite good
therapy. |
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