Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky has over the years produced a treasure trove of musical talent.   That beautiful legacy has flowered once more with the release of The Songfarmers  first CD Bonafide which features a who’s who of local musical royalty including Tommy and Shane Johnson, Philip Montgomery, Graham Hudspeth, Danny Pinson, Webb Hendrix and the fabulous Chris Carmichael adding violins and cello. 

The offerings are a melodic mix of contemporary music called Americana which musically blends modern folk, bluegrass and country into an infectious and delightful cornucopia that has worldwide appeal.  Songs on Bonafide range from playful love songs like the opening tune “Dance” to a tender tribute to family in “I’ll be the Angel” to a social comment on America in “As the Walls” to the introspective “Building a Fire” to the funny and tender “If it’s Not One Thing.”   The harmonies are sophisticated without being processed and the musicianship is powerful yet not overbearing.  In short, if you enjoy any type of folk, bluegrass or country music, you will find Bonafide a CD you will play over and over and keep in your favorites for many years to come.  If you get the chance to see them live, don’t pass up the opportunity.  As WKU Folk Studies Professor Erika Brady calls them “a force to be reckoned with”  and this reviewer predicts that  the Songfarmers will someday achieve national, if not international recognition.

About the author: Jack Montgomery is a librarian, author and Professor at Western Kentucky University where he handles bookings for musical acts in University Libraries, Java City coffeehouse. Jack has also been a professional musician since 1969 and performs with a celtic quartet called Watersprite. Visit him at MySpace/shadowdancerjack or on Facebook.