CHARLIE HAGER
TRUTH AND LOVE
FLOUR SACK CAPE RECORDS
TRUTH AND LOVE–STOLE MY HEART–NEVER GOOD–BIG STAR–THIS AIN’T LOVE–ALL YOURS–SHE WANTS TO BELIEVE–NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU–TRYING TO LAY THE BLAME–STAND A CHANCE AT ALL
Charlie Hager is a brilliant singer/songwriter now living out of Vegas after beginning his career here in Music City. He learned much of his musical prowess from his dad, a bluegrass player, James Bernard, from the 1940’s up until his untimely passing in 1981. Charlie studied two years at UT-Knoxville, and pulled a stint with the Marines, before returning to Nashville. In 2011, post-divorce, he began to concentrate solely on his music. During this time, he released his debut, “American Saga,” to rave reviews, while simultaneously beginning work on its follow-up. He made that move to Vegas in July, 2018, to work with a production company and to also get a musical foothold on the West Coast.
His latest album, “Truth And Love,” is here, and consists of ten originals and co-writes, with some of these cuts created right after his debut. The theme of the album came about as Charlie observed the number of lies being told during the 2016 election process. The set begins with that title cut, where our hero always believes it is best to tell the truth and accept the consequences, because “Truth And Love holds the key.” That theory is put to the acid test a few cuts later, as our lovers are definitely on the outs, and, “bein’ without trust, This Ain’t Love between us!” A sweet horn section adds to the ambience of both these cuts, and they are present again on Charlie’s look at human nature and how, at the end of the day, “there’s only one face in the mirror” one has to answer to, in “Trying To Lay The Blame”
It’s a natch’l fact that this ain’t Charlie Hager’s first rodeo. He’s written songs built around life experiences, and the stories that go along with them. They’re honest, full of passion and grit, with absolutely no sugar-coating. Enjoy “Truth And Love” from a rising young Americana star! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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