Carolyn Dawn Johnson Dress Rehearsal CD

There are scores of Nashville songwriters who could build a career on writing tunes for the likes of Kathy Mattea, Pam Tillis, Chely Wright, and Patty Loveless. Not content to stop there, singer/songwriter Carolyn Dawn Johnson embarked on a performing career of her own after having her work recorded by the aforementioned artists and numerous others. Johnson's second full-length release, DRESS REHEARSAL, sounds fully on par with the Pam Tillises and Chely Wrights of the world. Like them, she retains enough of a twang to remind listeners of her country roots, but has more than a passing familiarity with popwise production. Johnson seems as comfortable with the acoustic picking at the heart of "Simple Life" as she does with the soaring melodies and anthemic, power-ballad feel of "We Talked." Neither a Shania-copping diva wannabe nor a self-consciously "authentic" neo-traditionalist, Johnson comfortably strolls down the middle of a country road, and many are sure to accompany her on the trip.

Personnel: Carolyn Dawn Johnson (vocals, acoustic guitar); Dann Huff (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro); Gordon Kennedy (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, sitar, background vocals); Keith Urban (acoustic guitar, background vocals); John Willis (acoustic guitar); J.T. Corenflos (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar, dobro); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin, violin, fiddle, viola, cello); Jim Hoke (harmonica, accordion, Jew's harp); Tim Akers, Steve Nathan (keyboards); Glenn Worf (bass guitar); John "4 Daddman" Robinson (drums, percussion); Greg Morrow, Matt Chamberlain (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Amy Grant, Steve Mandile, Wes Hightower (background vocals).

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.