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A Golden Smile

from High Cold Wind by Randy Steele

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This 5-song all-original EP collection runs only 14 minutes. But this is a wonderful introduction to a piece of old-fashioned country music (not C&W) & bluegrass mix that has new life emanating from the voice of firefighter Randy Steele. An award-winning banjo-picking singer-songwriter from Tennessee who reeks of energy & personality throughout this set.



Randy Steele (banjo/vocals) is not an old man, but he has that unmistakable authoritative voice that was born to people like Ralph Stanley & Roy Clark. All five tunes are worthy but “Nashville Drinking Song,” featuring Emmylou Harris-style backup vocals by the dependable fiddle sawing Faye Petree (absolutely wonderful). This song smokes with Randy’s Levon Helm-tinged vocal had Levon stayed in Arkansas.

The set is a fun listen because that’s what the music demands. Bluegrass is country with a B-12 shot. Technically, the EP is a self-titled effort & High Cold Wind is Steele’s band name. But the self-produced High Cold Wind EP (Drops Aug 25–Independent). “It Happened,” has a rollicking drive & then suddenly ends. There is nothing hokey about these tunes – they’re rendered with authority & if they were cake – they’d be tasty.


Then comes the relatively short & simple percussive/banjo-led little tune “A Golden Smile,” that’s over before you know it. (The tune is about Randy’s memory of his own self-doubt when first dating his wife of 22 years).

It’s followed by the barn-burning full-throttle, black smoke spewing, steam whistlin’ hot “Eight Thirty Eighteen.” Owls will be chasin’ mice, corks will be poppin’ & yes, some colorful language will be flying. With five musicians it sounds like a full band at a barn dance.

The opening tune finds Randy Steele singing in a more country & western vintage style. Lyrics that could’ve come from the pen of the late Johnny Horton & sung by the late Jim Reeves. It’s a good country-style ballad with a slight parallel vocal by Faye. It makes an average song sound even more expressive. They should sing a duet together someday.

John Apice
Americana Highways

lyrics

A Golden Smile

If I had a golden smile
If I had a golden smile
I’d put it on my face darling
Every time you came around
But I don’t have a golden smile
So it don’t matter anyhow.

If I had a heart of stone
If I had a heart of stone
Ventricles of granite
Pumping gravels thru my veins
I don’t have a heart of stone
So it don’t matter anyways.

If I had a dollar bill
If I had 10 dollar bills
I’d spend it all on you darling
Every last burnt red cent
My money has been spent
I don’t have a dollar bill.

If I had a soul to sell
If I had a soul to sell
I’d put a sign up in my window
That says ‘Buy one get one free’
Then I’d sell em your soul too
So you’d always be with me

credits

from High Cold Wind, released April 13, 2024
Banjo/Vocals: Randy Steele
Fiddle/Vocals: Faye Petree
Mandolin: John Boulware
Guitar/Vocals: Tyler Martelli
Upright Bass: Justin Hupp

Recorded and mixed by Brett K Nolan at Soundry Studio

Mastered by Adam Brown

Photography by Mandy Rhoden and Zoe News

Artwork by Michael Goins

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Randy Steele Chattanooga, Tennessee

Banjo pickin' Singer Songwriter from Chattanooga Tennessee and frontman for Slim Pickins Bluegrass

2018 NewSong Leaf Festival Songwriting Competition Finalist. 2017 Blast On the Bay Upcoming Artist
16th Annual IMA Bluegrass Song Fan Winner for 'Mobile Soon"
16th Annual IMA Bluegrass album of the year Nomination
for "Songs from the Suck" ... more

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