Page 49 - ION Indie Magazine NovDec 2020

Texas Country Music Hall of Fame member Johnny Bush lends his voice to Amber's
album with "I'll Warm By The Flame.” Johnny recorded this song originally in 1968. Again,
this was not a huge hit for him, but has become a favorite to his fans. Johnny says he
originally intended it to be a duet and was more than happy when Amber suggested it as
their song for this album.

Larry Gatlin is best known for his music with brothers Steve and Rudy as "The Gatlin
Brothers," with such monster hits as "All The Gold In California" and "Houston.” However,
Larry is also a fine songwriter, as evidenced by "Take Back It's Over.” This was another
song that slipped through the cracks for chart action, ending up a B-side on a 1977 single
for Larry, but is a solid song all around. Larry and Amber blend very nicely on this cut.

"Soft Lights And Hard Country Music" was the title of Moe Bandy's 1978 album and also
a hit single. It was written by Whitey Shafer, one of the greatest songwriters in the genre.
I must admit that I was surprised to hear the song as a duet, but it really worked well!

Amber found the song "Under These Conditions" on Vince Gill's 1992 album "I Still
Believe In You.” Again, the song was only an album track, but Amber felt it was a superb
and classic cheatin' song. She admits she was a bit apprehensive asking Vince to record
it with her due to the subject matter. She says "Vince has always been like a big brother
to me, so I was kind of nervous when I brought it up. But Vince thought it was a great
song and a good idea." They were both right.

My favorite song on this album is "The Heart He Kicks Around.” Not only is it a solid
shuffle that's right in the pocket, it also marks the return of a voice long missing in country
music, Jeannie C. Riley. Unless you live under a rock, you have at least heard of "Harper
Valley P.T.A.” Jeannie C. took it to the top of the country and pop charts in 1968,
becoming the first woman to do so. She sold over 6 million copies of the single! So, my
first thought when I heard Jeannie C. was going to be on Amber's album, I figured that's
the song they would do. I was wrong and I'm actually pretty happy I was. I absolutely love
this song! Johnny Paycheck wrote it and Jeannie C. recorded it in 1967 for a small record
label called Little Darlin. The project was recorded as a demo, but after the success of
“Harper Valley,” it was later released. Amber happened upon a copy of the record and
fell in love with the song. It took some coaxing to get Jeannie C. to record again, as she
had not in many years. But the end result is nothing short of country music gold!

From start to finish, "Heroes, Mentors and Friends" is a straightforward traditional country
album. There's nothing fancy, but there doesn't need to be. Each song tells a story and
every artist that Amber sings with is a huge part of what real country music is all about.
The production is stellar, and the musicians are top notch. Whether you are a long-time
country music fan or just discovering it for the first time, make sure this album finds its
way into your collection.

Amber Digby official website: http://www.amberdigby.com/
Heart of Texas Records: https://www.hillbillyhits.com/
For more on this album, listen to my exclusive interview with Amber Digby:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU2cHcoSSeo