The question of today's soft rock and pop driven style of
country music is a loaded one that actually goes back several
decades. In the 60's 70's the vice-president of RCA Nashville
production was Chet Atkins and the innovator of the pop orientated
Nashville Sound. He was once asked to define the Nashville Sound.
He jingled a handful of change in his pocket and said "that
is the Nashville Sound!"
The beginning of the 90's saw a change in country music as
young bands gained popularity. Blackhawk was one of those bands,
kick starting the rock edge of today's country music sounds. A
trio fronted by Henry Paul (former member of the rock group The
Outlaws) and rounded out by the songwriting team of Dave Robbins
(keyboards) and Van Stephenson (guitar). Robbins and Stephenson
had made their mark writing for the likes of Kenny Rogers,
Restless Heart and Crystal Gayle. Blackhawk introduced themselves
to country audiences with an impressing start as "Goodbye
Says It All" made #11 on the charts in November 1993.
February 1994 saw Arista release the bands self titled album
containing their first Top Five single "Every Once In A
While" written by all three members achieving #2 on the
charts. The following year "I'm Not Strong Enough To Say
No" hit #2 in July followed by "Like There Ain't No
Yesterday" from the Strong Enough album ran up the charts to
make #3 in November the same year. "King Of The World"
from the same album only rose as high as #49 in October 1996 and
in 1997 "Hole In My Heart" and "Postmarked
Birmingham" from their album Love & Gravity did slightly
better making #31 and #37 respectively. Also to be found on this
CD is "Stepping Stones" from Love & Gravity.
In all you can find 12 tracks on Platinum & Gold
Collection Blackhawk. After a slow period on the charts Blackhawk
bounced back in August 1998 with "There You Have It",
from their Sky's The Limit album making #4 on the charts. A fine
collection, when guys like this perform…you listen and revel in
the excitement!!! Take a listen to Platinum & Gold Collection
Blackhawk, you won't be disappointed!!!
Just to finish on a sad
note. In 1999 Stephenson was diagnosed with s deadly skin cancer
melanoma. He finally lost his battle with the disease in 2001. In
2000 Blackhawk's bassist Randy Threet took Stephenson's place
singing high vocals. Robbins and Paul were moved to spearhead the
Van Stephenson Memorial Cancer Fund in his memory.
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