Parker and Cropper

Walk Across Texas
Comstock Records
E mail fara@comstock-records.com

Dave Parker who now lives in Springfield, Oregon, was born may 4th, 1964 to a very musical family. Growing up he listened to many different styles of music, but country and rock were the two he found himself listening to the most, and cites Merle Haggard and George Strait as the two artists who really tuned him on to country music.

Junior Cropper was born November 3rd, 1965 in San Louis O Bispo, Ca. He is the son of a minister, and travelled a great deal as a child. It was in the church, that most of his musical training took place. He began writing music at the age of eleven, and explored many different styles from gospel to heavy rock.

Junior and Parker met about three years ago, and say, "We decided to put our best foot forward to see if there is a place for us in this ever growing music industry. It is our goal, to touch country music fans with the songs that we write."

"Walk Across Texas," is their new release following the positive reaction they got to their debut album. The album contains 11 tracks of modern country music all penned or co-penned by the lads themselves. All lead vocals are sung by David Parker with Junior Cropper providing Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Mandolin and back up vocals.

The album contains a fairly even mix of slow ballads, uptempo and mid-paced songs with the dancers catered for in songs like the funky sounding, "Walk Across Texas," "Baby It's A Crime" and "Dancing On The Wind," plus mid-paced Two Steppers "Don't make Me Say Goodbye," and "Angel Of Mercy" and the lively Rodeo song, "Let Him Ride."

There are also some good ballads on here, such as the wonderful "Shame On You (Shame On Me)" a song that has two partners blaming each other for their mistakes. This track has Junior's wife, Tammy Cropper on Duet vocals. Tammy has a good voice and has me wondering if she has recorded any albums of her own.

The album closes with a powerful, haunting story song that tells of someone who took their own life down at the "Wishing Well. There's some great lead guitar work on this one too.

Listening to this album, there is no doubt in my mind that there is a place for Parker & Cropper in Country Music. They write good material, they sing well, they sound good and they certainly have the potential to make a name for themselves.

Whether you're a dancer or you just like to sit and listen, there's something here for both on an album of modern country music that's well worth checking out!