What I’m For
A Kentucky native, Adkins has had an impressive career in bluegrass music since he started playing the music at Dollywood when he was just seventeen years old. During this growing period, he played country music and also toured with a rock band from Chicago. For a few years he also was a disc jockey at WBHR in Pikeville, Kentucky. In 2010 he came back to bluegrass and formed the band Republik Steele. They released an album in 2013 which earned him a SPBGMA nomination for male vocalist. He was also made a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of his home state. Adkins is known as a good guitarist and songwriter and has released a number of albums under his own name and as the Dave Adkins Band, which got him some more awards and nominations.
This new release features Adkins on guitar and vocals, along with Aaron McDaris (banjo), Jason Roller (guitar, fiddle), Justin Moses (resonator guitar, mandolin), and Jeff Partin (bass). The vocal accompaniment features Jerry Salley, Magnolia Salley, Jack Vickers, and Ari Silver. The selections include three co-written by producer Salley, “She Put The Go In Gone,” “Tear Thirty,” and “Rock Pile.” Other cuts are the title “What I’m For,” “Ole Rooster,” “Life’s Highway,” “I Miss America,” and “I Can Only Imagine.” There is also a cover of John Fogarty’s “Bad Moon Rising.”
Adkins’s strong voice is front and center backed by excellent harmonies, and the players are at their best. This is another good product from Mr. Adkins and associates.
