Donna Boyd brought a lot of her original songbook out to Chaney’s tonight and performed them with her Band, Life on Mars. Perhaps due to the setting the tunes were played in sort of a soft rock style and it worked. Most, but not all, of the recent music events at Chaney’s have been on the softer side, so full out drumming is not heard often. So drummer Marc Allen held back a little, Ms. Boyd played her plugged in acoustic guitar, and bassist Marty Towe played a nice, peppy line that strangely kept me thinking of Charlie McCoy’s style on Dylan’s “The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest”. So maybe there’s a little country tinge in Boyd’s music too, and she sings it strong and sincere.

I was told they are looking for a guitar player, so if anyone’s looking for a gig you should try and look her up on FaceBook. You can also hear some of her music and get other info at www.reverbnation.com/donnaboyd. Ms. Boyd hosts the open mic night at Tidballs on many Monday nights, so you might want to check ahead and catch her there. I think you’ll like her style.

Donna Boyd and Life On Mars performed at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on 3/29/2011.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman