Toby Keith That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy CD

Twelve studio albums into his career, Toby Keith has settled into the sort of comfortable groove that generally allows a country singer to maintain a career for several decades. After spending the first years of the 21st century embroiled in non-musical sideshows like an ongoing feud with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks and mild controversies about his political beliefs, THAT DON'T MAKE ME A BAD GUY, like its predecessor, BIG DOG DADDY, leaves social commentary behind for a genial, mature brand of rock-influenced country. The first single, the power ballad "She Never Cried In Front Of Me," is a domestic drama in the grand country tradition, while "Cabo San Lucas" and "Creole Woman" are scrappy good-time tunes. Other highlights include the weepy "Hurt A Lot Worse When You Go" and the wry "Missing Me Some You." THAT DON'T MAKE ME A BAD GUY may not win over any Dixie Chicks fans nursing grudges, but it's a solid and enjoyable album.

Composer/Lyricist: Toby Keith.

Personnel: Toby Keith (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Kenny Greenberg, Brent Mason (guitar, electric guitar); Jerry McPhearson (guitar); Ilya Toshinsky (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin); Jerry MacPherson (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar, dobro); Robert Hajacos, Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Jim Hoke, Steve Patrick (saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet); Steve Nathan, Charles Judge (piano, keyboards); Glenn Worf, Mark Hill (bass guitar); Shannon Forest (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Scat Springs, Vicki Hampton, Perry Coleman (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Mills Logan.

Audio Remasterer: Ken Love.

Recording information: East Iris STudios; Ocean Way Studios; Scruggs Sound; The Mix Mill Studio.

Photographer: Richard McLaren.Entertainment Weekly (p.62) - "Toby Keith's 14th studio album maintains a purity of country form many of his pop-leaning peers lack..."