Keep On Lovin' You - Steel Magnolia - 2010
I liked this when it was out, and I liked them a lot too. But in music, many times artists don't get to stay for the whole party, but merely a cup of coffee. That's what happened to Steel Magnolia. We did a few shows with this duo, including a promotion at Put-In-Bay as I think that was our first show there. This song was a real breath of fresh air. Megan and Josh, who made up this duet were engaged in real life and their voices blended together perfectly like DNA siblings can. There was a real edge to them, especially Megan whose voice I have admired for years. So bluesy, and full of that muddy water Louisiana sound. This great song written by Trent Willmon and a then unknown Chris Stapleton landed in the right place with SM. This single went to #4 on the charts on an album with Big Machine Records their future looked great. Sadly, the award nominated duo split up both on stage and in life as many of life's circumstances caught up to them. I remember emceeing them at the Wayne County Fair in 2011, and there was no doubt there was something wrong there, as they both were very different than the many times I had worked with them before. But they had a cool look, image and sound and I was sad to see this not work out. I thought at the time, they had the stuff to contend. Megan still is a very cool vocalist and they have both since pursued solo careers. But here - what a song!
