A closer look at the music on Country Evolution

So these five guys that sing with such sweet harmony and perfection, called Home Free, have definitely planted their names in the country music world, and I say look out! I know I said in my last post that country music gained some great sound when these five guys got together, but it’s a more than that. Their music brings back memories, but also brings classic songs into the future, yet still gives full respect to the original song. Something not all covers do. Their original songs are the kind that won’t be forgotten and could become classics themselves.

These guys have covered some of the most revered names in country music and a few big names in pop and rock music too. The best part is that their covers have become viral videos, hot singles and now part of their third and highly sought after album. The one that has shocked me the most is 9 to 5. If I’m allowed to be honest here, this was never a favorite song of mine. I was skeptical when I saw this, but I had faith that Home Free would make it good. Well, they did not disappoint. Their remake of 9 to 5 will put a jamming kick in your ride home from work. The one I knew would be awesome is Seven Bridges Road and it’s nothing less, in fact, it was a harmonious dream. They do Friends in Low Places and Devil Went Down to Georgia and give both of these songs some Timbasstastic enhancements and a whole new life. They did also feature Mr. Daniels playing his fiddle and Taylor Davis playing her fiddle, for DWDTG. Cause, well, fiddle fight. The Alabama sampler brings back some great memories and they sound so good, you just want the medley to go on and on. I guess you could say that Home Free is simply brilliant at giving excellent songs some Austin soul, Chris harmony, Rob sweetness, Tim bassness and Adam beats, to make a unique Home Free style.

But now I want to talk about their originals. I was tickled to hear there were five original songs on this new album. I was even more tickled when I heard them. These songs, in my opinion, define these fine gentlemen. They are about music, life and love; and there’s always room for dancing, fun and little reflection. Summer in the Country and California Country are laid back with a steady, easy beat like your heart beat, and tells a little about their 'life is good' attitude. Good Ol’ Country Harmony and Don’t It Feel Good tells how music makes them feel and how it can change their mood for the better. They both have that bouncy walking beat that makes you want stop and dance. Then there’s Serenity. Short and simple, but meaningful and beautiful. Yep that about wraps up how I see Home Free and their original songs; laid back, bouncing beats, simple and meaningful. I think we all just learned a little bit more about these guys. If I didn’t already love listening to Home Free, several songs on this album would have won me over.

The other songs, many have already heard from the videos, like Elvira featuring The Oak Ridge Boys, House Party by Sam Hunt, Fishin’ in the Dark/Boondocks mashup and Andy Grammar’s Honey I’m Good. These songs highlight each man’s talents so handsomely. The videos are all already very popular and I've reviewed them in my blog. Now that I've convinced the new readers to buy this CD, be sure to get the deluxe copy, so you get all fourteen songs. You can order Country Evolution at http://homefreemusic.com/.

Oh, and did I mention the wonderful Thank You, Home Free added on the CD liner? They thanked their fans, the Home Fries, for all our love and support. How cool is that? It's our absolute pleasure to support such fantastic people, who also happened to be extremely talented (yeah, and cute too). The Home Fries, have received several shout outs from Home Free, recently, and it makes us all kind of, well, sappy! Yep, that's our boys and we love them! From Home Fries around the world, we are proud to be Home Fries! Rock on, Home Free, rock on!

Home Free YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTFuNYrqAcsmSjgqYMvxOqw

Country Evolution is finally here!

IT’S HERE, IT’S HERE!!!! I WAS SO, oh sorry, forgot to turn off the caps lock. I was so excited about the new Home Free Country Evolution CD coming out today that I decided to take advantage of Spotify, because I didn’t want to wait until it arrived! Yes, I realize that makes me a bit of a dork, but I guarantee you I was not the only one! #youknowwhoyouare

Elvira, Honey I’m Good, Summer in the Country and House Party have already been released on video and I know the Fries love them all (can't stop watching them is more like it). But there is so much more to come with this new album. Devil Went Down to Georgia WITH Charlie Daniels (featuring Taylor Davis with the one and only instrument on this album), 9 to 5 and Friends in Low Places, just to name a few.

I have already heard eight of the songs on the deluxe album, but I have held off listening to the original songs and a few covers, until I get the new album. As a Patron, we got a preview of their newest video last night and OH. MY. HECK. I’m in love! This is one of my ALL TIME favorite songs. I try to be open minded about covers, because great songs are made to be celebrated and redone by great musicians. Well, these fine gentlemen have, once again, nailed it! The original can never be beat, but Home Free has given Seven Bridges Road a new life and a new feel, but the same great song that moved me as teenager. Well done, simply, well done.

I’m very big on having original songs when you make an album. I’ve worked with music in my past and I know how hard that can be. The original songs Home Free has on this CD tells you a lot about these good ole boys! They have stories, a two stepping beat and, of course, perfect harmony. You’ll tap your toes to Good Ol’ Country Harmony and just smile when you hear California Country. I think my favorite is Don’t It Feel Good, well at least for right now. That tends to change the more I listen to their music. The originals songs are fantastic and I’m ready to soak them in for a while. Definitely, a must hear album. And I highly recommend the deluxe version, well cause more songs and those songs are worth it!

A cappella has come so far in the past few years and Home Free is making sure it continues to grow and get better. Flawless harmony, jaw dropping vocal percussion, extraordinary live performances and their unequivocal charming, boyish personalities. Taking on country music as an a cappella group, in itself was a Herculean feat. Can you say, never been done and most would walk away? Well, no one is walking away now. They have conquered Johnny Cash, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Eagles, Dolly Parton, Meghan Trainor, One Direction, Florida Georgia Line and more, with amazing country style and Home Free flair! But they have also taken on original music from their own Tim Foust and Austin Brown. They have all done arranging and I’ve heard (maybe seen a little) they all do some beat boxing too! The music world gained some sweet sounds when these five got together! I think they'll make history!

Country Evolution is a remarkable album from Home Free. It really does reflect old country in a new a cappella country fashion that is hard to match and new music destined to become classics. Country Evolution is available now on iTunes:  http://t.co/V9NmcHWknK, Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1inWDA9 and at Wal-Mart stores. You can also order it at http://homefreemusic.com/ .

Which is your favorite song from Country Evolution?

https://youtu.be/kTTid4CBcd4

Who hasn't done a write up about Elvira, yet?

Well, #Elvira came in and hit the internet by storm. She’s back with a brand new sound and she has gone #Elviral. Not my hashtag, but a darn good one! This perfectly put together song sung by Home Free and The Oak Ridge Boys, stays with you long after you hear it. Many folks have been caught singing “Giddy Up, Oom Poppa Oom Poppa Mow Mow” at work, home alone, on buses or walking down the street. You just can’t stop singing it. I love Elvira’s contemporary make over. Now, she is a rocking lady with sweeter harmonies, jamming drums and more rumbling bass! Since its release on August 21^st it’s received over 230 thousand views on YouTube, and climbing.

It has been written about by so many groups and bloggers that the list of articles is wrapped around the corner of the world wide web! I’ve provided a list below of the write ups I have found. I’m sure there are more and will be more, as the word spreads. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-cappella-group-home-free-oak-ridge-boys_55d620a6e4b0ab468da04c6f Huffington Post

http://t.co/5HmNjcXqgA Rolling Stone County

http://theboot.com/home-free-the-oak-ridge-boys-elvira/ The Boot

http://countryrebel.com/blogs/videos/58444995-the-oak-ridge-boys-join-home-free-for-a-blow-you-away-performance-of-elvira Country Rebel

http://t.co/uyOjwNyxrD Viral Videos

http://t.co/BaBWuTnpcX Music Newscast

http://t.co/zLMoXhwm9f Pop Skand

http://t.co/XAdHPnUjlf Sunnyy 94.3 FM

http://t.co/l4QpDZlBmY 105.9 Sunny FM

http://t.co/fnrsLydYJA VAV News

http://t.co/HQ9B7cTFuL Chicago Time Post

http://t.co/9n7BddiiU0 VidSocial

http://t.co/rxUQaQA6lh Q106.5fm

http://t.co/D9BO7Khd1q - Lovin’ Lyrics

http://t.co/3948KGXhnO Soundwave Radio

http://t.co/18lLt1Jcap The Christian Beat

http://t.co/YzoX1cHZ4D Hip Hop Beats

http://t.co/z8vJ8nD0DD New Country Songs
http://t.co/aIBiqadKCQ Taste of Country
http://t.co/2lINk9nr8D NewsMiner
http://t.co/sKmfIUcNig US 99.5
http://rare.us/story/move-over-rascal-flatts-home-free-just-dominated-the-grand-ole-opry-stage-with-a-well-known-hit/ Rare Us

http://carinasjoysoflife.blogspot.com/2015/08/my-hearts-on-fire-for-hforb.html Carina’s Joys of Life Blog

http://countrymusicatk.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-oak-ridge-boys-home-free-vocal.html Country Music According to Kim Blog

And there's one more write up below in this blog ;-)

My heart is on damn fire!

First, O.M.G., second, DAMN!!!! #FANDAMNTASTIC, that is my word for the new Elvira video and song by Home Free and The Oak Ridge Boys. Oh my, my heart is pumping and my hands are shaking over this song. It is Holy Sweet Potato Pie good (or whatever your favorite pie is)! I keep playing the song as I write this and it gets better every time I hear it. I knew it would be amazing, but they blew amazing out of the water and kicked ass!

Each one of these wonderful gentlemen is remarkable. I tip my cowgirl hat to each and every one of them. I predict this video will go viral in twenty four hours. I know the Fries will make sure of it, not to mention the ORB fans. What an unparalleled combination of talent and charisma!

Their harmonies are dynamic, energetic, brilliant and absolutely PERFECT! I could go on and on about how amazing these gentlemen sound together and I’d never be able to get it all in one write up. Oh them basses, “Giddy Up, Oom Poppa Oom Poppa Mow Mow,” and I am in love! Mr. Sterban and Tim, you rock my world and this song! Adam is stellar as usual, but I wasn’t expecting the ambitious presence he had in this song, it was wicked! Mr. Bonsall and Mr. Allen are spectacular and give this sweet lady the love she deserves. Austin continues to blow us away with his powerful and soulful voice. And Rob, well he brings it like only Rob can bring it, smooth! Sorry Rob, but I’m afraid Mr. Golden wins the beard contest (next time, you’ll get ‘em next time). The harmonies from Mr. Golden and Chris, put the scoot in this two stepper and bring it all home. Together this baby has a rocking beat and OOMPH (pun intended). I’m feeling this song all the way down to my toes! I’ve played it about a hundred times and just can’t stop! I may need help, if I don’t surface in a week, come find me. I’ll be in front of my laptop watching the new Elvira video, in a trance!

But what made this video even better, if that’s possible, is the country boy love I see in the video. I got a kick out of Austin getting The Oak Ridge Boys’ autographs on his t-shirt! These fine men look like they are having a blast, with life-long friends. The posse with extraordinary talent! What I would have given to be a fly on the wall when they recorded this video. Not so much to see the antics, but to be in the same room with such all-encompassing talent and vocal nobility.

They sang the hell out of this song! They brought this classic into the future and made it a whole new classic, with the original artists The Oak Ridge Boys and the a cappella yumminess of Home Free. Wow, I am stunned, giddy, bouncing up and down in my chair and just happy as a hungry tick on a fat dog! They have completely out done themselves with this one and the fans are going oom poppa oom poppa mow mow crazy!

Congratulations Oak Ridge Boys and Home Free for one goliath of a collaboration that resulted in a ditty that will have this country hankering for a peek at the beautiful Elvira. I think I have a new favorite Home Free song! And, as Home Free states, a huge "damn good job" to Geoff Castellucci, of Voice Play, for his incredible arrangement of the song! #FANDAMNTASTIC

If you haven’t heard it yet, what in tarnation are you waiting for? http://t.co/DdEowOP2ye