LONNIE ROCKET "True Blue Country"

by jenny heying

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Okay, this is real tough for me. I'm not really a country music fan, but I decided to give a country performer a listen, to be fair. I ventured down to Kay's Tiki Lounge to catch Lonnie Rocket. What can I say? I don't drive a truck, or live in texas or talk to my dog a whole lot (?) I'm not familiar with the songs but I will tell you, The Rocket can sing and play.

Lonnie accompanies himself on guitar, no backing tracks and he's an adequate guitar player. His singing however is very strong. While the heartbreak and sorrow are generally too much for me, I was more than enthralled with what I heard. While "A Woman's Love" is your typical heartbreak song, it was memorable and thoroughly enjoyable and kewl because I'd never heard it before. Following up with You Fill Up My Senses gave me a little more encouragement cause I knew the song. But enough about my lack of country knowledge.

Lonnie Rocket is your true blue country artist. A little Jimmy Buffet mixed in with Alan Jackson and you've got an enjoyable evening with Lonnie. Lonnie has a voice made for country. Strong, crisp, clear and a little hurt thrown in for good measure. Lonnie does do some Jimmy Buffet for sure but he shines on songs like Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys and Garth Brooks' Much Too Young. I may not be a big country music fan, I do like some, but Lonnie makes it enjoyable and if country is your thing, I'm sure you'll be more than impressed.

A small but very appreciate crowd took in Lonnie's show this night and from what I saw, they were every bit as pleased with his show. Lonnie projects well and his set list mixes popular songs (one's I've heard of) with lesser known songs (one's I've never heard of). His delivery is not only strong but emotional, you get the feeling he's lived every song he sings. And through Lonnie, you live it too.

Unfortunately I crashed before his set was over, and I wish i could have gotten back sooner. I plan to catch Lonnie again, because I really did enjoy the show. A Lot! He gave me an appreciation for country that I hadn't had before.

And btw, did I mention he's cute.