"TRUE MESSAGES"

This guy has it all and is indeed a true "Honkey Tonk Angel" who am I talking about is a guy named Bernie Nelson and his new album called "Whiskey & Water". What a true amazing album, and as a bonus in addition to recieving his album I recieved a copy of his book called "Honky Tonk Angels" which where Bernie tells some magnificient stories of the country music scene and I loved it. This is one of those books that I keep within my grasp at any time that I need inspiration, and this book and album has it. As far as the album is the first track called "A Honky Tonk in Heaven" where Bernie speaks along the same lines as the song as "Rock & Roll Heaven" and his clear message of where there are members that include and with his eternal hope that they have arrived in a place called "Honky Tonk Heaven" This song is superbly written and speaks to me as a music lover and the appreciation for others that paved the way and gave us all inspiration that continues through our rich, full & so totally blessed life. With the next song called "Jessi and Her Outlaw" talking about the amazing love between Jessi Colter and the late Waylon Jennings where Bernie gives a brief vision of their undying love for eachother and is a true love song that never ends. The next track called " You asked Me To" Bernie has the sounds that rings a little Merle Haggardish and allows one to realize how important our partners are in our journey to our destinations and how we should always be there to always to lend that helping hand, Bernies vocals are realastic and superb and yet simplistic that allows you to really feel the love and pure emotion of his way of projecting this on you with every song. "Whiskey And Water" another superb song that Bernie brings in that true element of goodness where shows our continual growth somewhere between "Whiskey & Water" where as we face situations all throughout our lives and someway and with the continued love of God in our lives we may be a crossroads in our lives, but we always have that ability to decide where we need to go. "A Gun in Texas" Bernie paints the pitcure of where if your in Texas you gotta have a gun and have it with you at all times and shows an underlying message With the next song Bernie really shows his true colors through his positive vibes and a really awesome message of how we all go through our journey of life and sometimes in life theirs a point where we just have to take time to give thanks for God that has provided us all with. What a complete awesome message. If there was a favorite song that I have on this wonderful and powerful collection of Bernies it might be the song "Salvation Vacation" but I love them all to have just one. They all really matter. Just when I thought I had a favorite on this album. I was wrong with the next song called "Holes" Bernie hits the emotional button on my heart and Bernie continually shows that with his ability to convey a message of how there are pitfalls and obstacles we face throughout our lives. However we continually learn that we utilize these "Holes" to assist us along our lives and sometimes their empty spots in our lives but we learn that Grace & love will fill these and make us who we are. "Bonfire Songs" is yet another superior sounding song and Bernie brings his element of clear and precise love for the ones that he loves and fully expresses those feelings and memories of his loves past. Wih the next song called "Ain't Enough Texas" Bernie sings so graceful & direct with you as he describes as he feels and adds that realism feel to all he sings about and this song is a perfect example of his true talent for this. This song where once again is a true love song and the pain and feelings one has for someone that was in there life, however there's just "Ain't Enough Texas" to get me over you. The total music throughout this album just flows through like waves on the ocean and combs over you with a totally poistive vibe. Bernie just knows what emotion to reflect and where to place it on every song. The next song is really a true country song if there ever was one, where Bernie brings in the element of drinking a beer and being and dreams of the better life which gives the dose of how we all have been in this situation one time or another. With the last song on this album called "Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind" where he talks of a dad that was just a simple man who lived a basic life and was content with his simple life, and this really of how I personally feel about myself and rings true to my life where, I am happy with just a basic life and no major frills just do what I love and have respect for all that has been provided to us by God. A life where what we have in okay, and don't need all that fancy stuff such as Cadillacs. This album is a superb example of superb work and is a masterpiece and a true testament of who Bernie Nelson is as a true "Honky Tonk Angel". I have to take this time to thank Brenda Cline & Debbie Miller for allowing me to be introduced to such a real talent, and a real human and a real person. Bernie has a tremendous musical gift of song writting and his tremendous message conveying ability. With listening to this magical album I truly feel that everything has a purpose and it's all not in our time but in Gods time and through Bernies Music and his wonderful book "Honky Tonk Angels" he has spoken to me. I am a true believer in angels here on earth & there are several messengers here amongst us and Bernie with his music has conveyed his beautiful gift of sending his message of hope, love and reflection to us all. Thanks so musch Bernie for your tremendous friendship and eternal gift of song and writing and look forwards to hearing of more of your poitive vibes and wonderful messages through your awesome music.

Steven F. Adams

Journalist Music Reviewer Owner SoundWaveOne

c 2017 used by permission