The world of contemporary Americana and Roots-rock is a veritable wild west of musical talent with an equally wide variation as to musical innovation and quality. There is a lot of well-intentioned, but incredibly mediocre music mixed in with some really powerful, innovative talent.

Into this world come Kentucky natives Heath Eric and Molly G. Troutman, collectively known as Heath & Molly. Heath Eric has an established musical pedigree and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University. He and Molly have received the honor of being elected to the Kentucky Performing Arts Directory, a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, which is supported by state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. 

The duet has been touring extensively and has received good reviews for their live performances and their third CD, “Truth.” Their music is soulful, at times intense and features their originals as well as innovative arrangements of older folk songs, like the jazz-influenced “Wayfaring Stanger” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” which was made famous by ’60s folk icons Peter, Paul and Mary.

Their originals are, to me, the real measure of what they can do musically, like the instrumental “Rumsey,” which has a gentle easy quality that is perfect for a drive in the country. The 1960s-ish folk vocals on “Count on Me” and the rocking “Hypocrisy” with its social message has a harder edge and reflect the diversity of this dynamic couple. “Truth” is definitely worth a listen and I would also check out their YouTube videos and their website at heatheric.com. One only hopes that we will see and hear a lot more of Heath & Molly in the future.

About the author: Jack Montgomery is a librarian, author and associate 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 on Facebook.

About the author: Jack Montgomery is a librarian, author and associate 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 on Facebook.