CD Review: Living the Good Life

23 year old Rodney Hayden hails from Texas and wears his heart on his sleeve. His Rosetta Stone software first album, 2002's The Real Thing showcased a wise-beyond-his-years vocal powerhouse who wasn't interested in recording mainstream country music. He wanted to sing and record stuff he believed in, songs that his heroes recorded. One of his heroes, Texas troubadour, Robert Earl Keen, was impressed with Rodney's demo and not only decided to manage him but felt the need to release a record on his just created label, Rosetta Records. After the first CD got the attention of folks like Universal South Co-President Tony Brown (then with MCA), Rodney was inundated with recording offers from Nashville labels. Rodney chose to sign with the Nashville's largest independent label, Audium Records. While the label hasn't had much success at getting mainstream radio airplay for its artists, they have shown a willingness to sign artists who are just that, artists. Not acts. The musicians on their label are primarily established veterans like Daryle Singletary, Doug Stone and Sammy Kershaw. Rodney's first album for Audium, Living The Good Life, presents a traditionalist that has recorded eleven sturdy songs, with eight of them being written by Rodney himself. The title track tells a fiddle and steel guitar drenched Rosetta Stone Greek story of a man who's happy with the way his life turned out; "I'm Livin' The Good Life I'm happy to say, Watching the sun sink low and my cares fade away/I got a woman who loves me, oh and she's gonna stay, I'm living the good life everyday." "Broke Down" was written by Rounder/Philo recording artist Slaid Cleaves. A story song in the tradition of Robert Earl Keen and Springsteen, the song may be a tad different for Rodney. It's more progressive than some of his other songs but retains a traditional sensibility to it. The melody is memorable and the vocals crisp. I hope that radio gives this song, about a breakup that "feels good," a chance. Anyone who grew up in a small town, only to outgrow it when you get older, will certainly relate to "Goodbye To My Hometown." It's a stone country ballad full of fiddle and steel guitar that gives it a timeless melody. Songs like this have been written and sung for years but Rodney's self-penned song says some different things that make this song fresh and unique. Written by Clay Blaker (several George Strait songs) and Tracy Byrd, "Living Everyday Like It's Saturday Night" is a barn-burner of a honky tonk song that is fun to dance and sing along to. I am surprised that Tracy let this one get away for it has the sound that is not unlike that of his own recent hits. The instrumental solos by Redd Volkaert and pianist Earl Pool Ball are the stuff of legends. With its soft tender ballad Rosetta Stone Hindi V3 style, "The First Day" sounds like it would be a romantic song but it isn't. It's about a guy who realizes that he lost the best thing in his life and that he's got to make a new life without her. "This is the first day, it's just the worst day, and this is the first day, that you're not mine." With its fiddle and steel guitar backbone, "Trying To Get A Little Love" was a wise choice as a first single. It sets up Rodney as a traditional country stylist who writes a nice song with a solid hook. The song tells a story of the natural human need for love. With eleven songs that are sure to please traditionalists and country fans alike, Rodney Hayed is a talented newcomer who may be the guy who fills the shoes of the classic superstars like Merle Haggard and George Jones. The Real Thing was his first step, and Living The Good Life is a fine sophomore album places Rodney firmly to the front of the class. Song List: Living The Good Life Broke Down Goodbye To My Hometown Living Everyday Like It's Saturday Night Get On Your Mule and Ride The First Day Mr. Mockingbird Della's Long Brown Hair Trying To Get A Little Love Can't Wait To Get Back Home Son Of A Rolling Stone [Rosetta Stone Software ] Album cover used with permission of Audium.