Chris McLernon
Hands Of Time

© DASH Records

	Who's The Fool
	I Won't Look Back Again

Chris McLernon was born in 1965 and grew up in south Derry, Northern Ireland in a small countryside area called Newbridge, situated about half way between Belfast and Derry. For the past seven years he has lived with his wife and three children in Maghera.

Although he admits to having no clear picture of why he developed such an interest for music, he does recall a lot of Merle Haggard songs being played at home as well as
songs from people like Charley Pride, Hank Williams, Don Gibson and Jim Reeves.

Chris formed his first band in his mid teens, covering songs from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, The Beatles, Buddy Holly and Bob Dylan, plus one or two of his own.

It was the influence of Kris Kristofferson that was to bring him back to Country music and he admits that all the stuff he'd heard as a child just seemed to fall into place. At that time he took a good look at the songs he was writing and discovered that he'd been Country all the time and didn't even realise it.

There are 12 tracks on the album ………. all penned by Chris ……. 2 of which have already seen chart action and radio airplay due to their release on the 'Country Hotdisc.' "I Won't Look Back Again" was the first to be released and is a catchy, mid-paced tune with some nice touches of harmonica. The song made # 8 in the EMS charts for Chris back in May of 2001 and was immediately followed by the release of the slow love ballad, "Steal My Heart Away," which disappointingly, only peaked at #35 in July of the same year.

Personal favourites for me include the previously mentioned "I Won't Look Back Again," plus "Gotta Have Some Fun" and "Who's That Fool" a couple of good catchy swing tune's that are sure to get the feet tapping, I also like the rocking "Getting Good At Goodbye" ……..the dancers should like this one…….and "Someone To Turn To," a good 4/4 shuffle that had me bobbing around in my seat.

Overall this is a good album of well constructed songs. Covering everything from ballads to uptempo numbers, there is surely something to please all tastes. Being successful in country music here in the U.K, with a completely self penned album isn't easy, as people….sadly….. usually want to see something they know on there before they'll buy it. But Chris both writes and sings well and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before he gets the success his talent deserves.

A very enjoyable album!