Here is the bottom line on this genre of music down here. it's gotten so rediculous. this doesn't just go for the bart crow band. this goes for hundreds of these mediocre (if that) bands who have a little bit of money behind them and want to be the next big thing. Everybody knows someone in their mid 20s who is in a "TX country" band. I'm so sick of that term and think it is embarrasing to our great state. I'm sick of hearing about the "red dirt" movement already. I'm so sick of turning on stations and hearing crap that everyone is excited about just because the jack ass dj comes on and says "that was another TX artist...blah blah blah". Why do you think none of these hundreds of bands ever break out. Because we have become ok with the mediocrity, we just support our friends no matter how bad they suck, which is probably the right thing to do. We do however set them up for disappointment. I mean hats off to all of you friends of Bart Crow who have ralied around him, told him how great he is, made enough of your friends and family buy his record off of lonestar music, and given him a few moments of hope. See I bought this CD as an experiment to the validity of a thing like lonestarmusic.com. I thought ok why have I never even heard of the guy who has the number #1 selling CD on lonestarmusic? So I bought, I listened, and halfway through song two it went to the big stack of crap. I ALWAYS give artists a chance. Always have in my 30 years in the industry. Folks this scene down here is getting laughed at all over the country. I know we're all so proud of it but a change is going to have to be made. Venues are actually going to have to care who plays. Radio stations are actually going to have to care who they spin. I know everyone walks around down here with their "nashville sucks" t shirt on. I used to feel the same way back when cory morrow was singing about it. i was so sick of the corporate nonsense i had to get out. NOW that's where i go to find refuge. where do you think your heroes (Cross Canadian Ragweed) office out of now. nashville tn. The thing about a band like the bart crow band is that yeah it's fun on a friday in corsicana or someplace like that. i bet they have no problem putting 150 people in a club. yeah we can get drunk to it if we want. maybe even break something. You have to be able to do one of two things though....either have a very unique and special voice and sound, or you have to write a song that truly saves and moves people. Robert Earl could never sing on broadway, but damn can the man write an amazing song. man can Robert Earl tell a story. Jack Ingram is the full package. that's why he is and will keep making it on a national level. He is about to tour with Brad Paisley who is another amazing, I mean amazing talent. why do you think Pat Green has had such a tough time on a national level? Because no one cares North of Oklahoma how many TX Tech grads have bought his CD. Bob Schneider, very unique and very talented, even he has had a hard time nationally, even regionally. Ray Wiley, very unique sound. John Mayer, amazing talent and very unique sound. Norah Jones, extremely special. Kelly Clarkson, amazing vocals. Lucinda Williams, personally i think one of the worst voices in show business, but man those songs are incredible. You can't help but listen. Lyle Lovett, an aquired taste to some people but tell me one person who doesn't APPRECIATE what he does and has for so many years. To give an example of music down here right now...Stoney Larue, another guy that is very unique because he has a special sound and can write a song that truly reaches people. I think he will TRULY make it. No one in the real music industry is going to listen to this "#1" CD on lonestarmusic and think, here's a special sound. You have to REALLY be able to write. "wear my ring" will not get it. i'm sorry. i've seen too many. You have to REALLY be able to stay on pitch, not squeek when you sing, definitely not miss notes on a recording (i dont' know who in the world produced this record), and you have to TRULY have a special sound. Not to discredit the effort that a band like the Bart Crow band puts out and so many other acts do as well. I know how hard it is to bust your ass in the music biz. I've just been in it too long for someone to tell me, "if you just work hard, you can make it in the music industry". You HAVE to have it. you HAVE to have something very special. I know I'm going to see a bunch of responses from Bart Crow friends, family, and finatics, which is great. Like I said hats off because you all are great supporters and this band needs to count their blessings because it has all of you. I know based on the other comments I've seen that you'll all say "tony doens't know what the hell he's talking about. this cd is GREAT!!! BUY IT!!!" or "message to tony, you can kiss my ass. bart crow is amazing and wear my ring is my favorite song of all time...the live show is even better". i know, i know, i know. you guys will support to the end and I really respect that. Look here's how i'll word it...if you want to support Bart Crow Band, their friends, family, and the band's financial situation, then by all means buy the CD. If you want to truly listen to amazing music, on pitch singing with some true style, beautiful harmonies, outstanding arrangements, great production, REAL edgy grit, songs that flow, sounds that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and songwriting that will move your soul and change your day (all qualities I find in a #1 selling record)... DON'T BUY THIS ONE. I'll just keep my eyes open for some real special sounds out there. I like to consider lonestarmusic as a place where you can truly guage whats going on down here. this experiment supports my theory. it's all just getting rediculous. something must change.

I have reached the conclusion upon reading the reviews for this artist that you either love them or hate then. I've read that the live show is amazing and i've heard it's boring. I unfortunatly have yet to see them live. The cd however is great. The Bart Crow Band has a unique blend of creative guitar, up beat tempos, and nice vocals. Bands like this are the reason that Americana/Red Dirt Music so great.

Now #1! All of the hand-wringers who don't get it will really have their panties in a wad now. They can moan and wail while the rest of us enjoy a CD we really like.

I think these guys are great!!

To the Oaks. Solely because you pack your club with this band does not mean they are good band. Geez...that's been everyone's point! Everyone is puzzled by the hype, and no one is contesting that these guys are popular. We are all (or most are) arguing that these guys are not any good, regardless of whether they are popular or not. And yes, I agree they are another mediocre talent for KB. Sure, KB has "Walt Wilkins, Brandon Rhyder, Full Throttle, Brandon Jenkins, Doug Moreland, Josh Grider, Adam Hood, and Jason Eady", but Bart Crow doesn't compare to these acts. I can't speak for whoever left that review, KB has some great talent, but I would say they have some mediocre talent like KB's John Evans and South First Band. I bought the CD and was very dissappointed.

This band is terrible, and i cant figure out what all the hype is about them. Poor songwriting, terrible musicianship, un-origional, off key and half ass vocals, not interesting or refreshing, and boring live show to say the least. Mind-boggling that they are so ihgh on the top sellers list.

i have to agree with the other post earlier. they are nothing but a garage band,,,a bad one at that. saw their show in brehnam recently. very very boring.

So here's the truth: Finally is one of Rolling Oaks' top 5 CD's in our changer. Bart Crow first played to a packed Rolling Oaks crowd on Sept. 28 2006. Then Bart played to another packed house on Nov. 30. Finally over 150 paid $8 to see Bart yet again at Rolling Oaks on Jan. 6. I guess the fans are wrong and the critics are right huh? Actually the average rating is 4/5 stars so TX Music fans, go ahead and buy the CD... it kicks ass. Critics... don't buy it. And Mrs. Harrop, if Bart Crow is "Another mediocre act for KB talent" just like KB Talent's Walt Wilkins, Brandon Rhyder, Full Throttle, Brandon Jenkins, Doug Moreland, Josh Grider, Adam Hood, and Jason Eady... I'm sure Bart won't mind your critique. By the way, has anyone ever dissed a booking agency in a CD review before? I'd hate to live in the Harrop household. By the way, if anyone wants to see a BAD Bart Crow show live, come to Rolling Oaks Saturday March 3. But get there early, lot's of people who think Bart Crow sucks will be there!

I'll second James on that. Especially when a large number of the negative reviews are coming from the same IP address, but with different names.

you people must be really bored...