Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Citizen Way

So, in the world of music, often hard work and hustle pays off.  Probably should payoff more than it does - but sometimes it does.  So, I admit, I'm not totally sure that being featured as a Cabin 7 Artist of the Week is quite "making it big" - but at least it shows that some hard work, hustle, and promotion does help spread the word.

To be honest, I had never heard of Citizen Way until the evening of September 19.  And I first heard of them, of all places, at Illiana Motor Speedway.  Were they performing there?  Nope.  So, guess what, this will be our first "Live Music" Artist of the Week - that isn't live.  Though, they are alive, but this was not a live show.

Somebody from the band, or street teamer, or a manager, or a fan, dropped off copies of their CD, "Love Is The Evidence" in every race hauler at the track.  I didn't see who did it or when they did it - but I saw the CDs all over the place and there were some in the #37 Kolbe Racing hauler as well.

So, being a music fan, I grabbed one and said "Hey, might as well listen to it".

I had absolutely no idea what I was about to listen to - at all - would it be country, old country, pop, hard rock, acoustic, folk, I had NO IDEA.  I don't have a CD player in the car, so when I got home I copied it over to my iPod and listened on the way into work on Monday morning.

Well, here is what I heard.  A very talented pop rock/modern country band with stunning harmonies, excellent vocal ranges, original compositions, excellent musicianship, and great lyrics.

But what about those lyrics??  As I mentioned above, I had absolutely NO IDEA what to expect.  The CD cover only tells me it's four guys.  Out of all the types of music I was expecting, I was not ready for this - Christian Rock/Country.  The lyrics are absolutely amazing, and naturally uplifting!  Imagine my surprise, and it was a good surprise, when I started to realize what the lyrics were really about.

The CD contains 10 songs, all well-performed, and all "catchy tunes".  Not a clunker out of the bunch.  I was going to pick my personal favorite, but by the time I was done listening, I couldn't pick just one.  I suppose, if I was forced to choose, I truly enjoyed their arrangement of the classic "Amazing Grace" under the title of "How Sweet The Sound".

The music contains a variety of instruments too, from standard guitars and drums to strings, upright piano, keyboards, ukulele, horns, various percussion instruments, banjo, and even appearance by the Westminster Christian High School from Elgin, IL!

The CD was partly recorded at Judson University, which the band lists as their alma mater, and happens to be located in Elgin, IL.

All lyrics are printed in the CD sleeve along with the Bible verses which inspired the lyrics.

Not just quality music - but uplifting music as well.

http://citizenwaymusic.com/