At 14 years of age, Colorado native Carin
Mari (Lechner) is one of the western movement's up and coming
new stars. Carin has already achieved the 2004 Patsy Montana
Yodeling Champion, Colorado CMA - Traditional Female Vocalist
and
Traditional Female Entertainer in the youth division and named
2006 Youth Entertainer of the Year. Carin's brothers 16 year-old
Colin (mandolin/vocals) and 12 year-old Evan (bass guitar/vocals)
make up Pony Express with dad Lee helping out on harmonica.
Western and country recording star Michael
Martin Murphy has shown great interest in Carin's career. In
2002 he suggested that she learn to sing patsy Montana's hit
"I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" and then invited
her to sing at his Singing Cowboy Ranch in Colorado. As a young
teenager Carin already sings earnestly with conviction.
Carin Mari's third album Old
Log Barn was released in September containing
13 songs, two of which she has written herself, "Prairie
Grass Dance" and the title cut. Murph contributes
his own songs "Lost River"
and "Close To The Land"
telling of a cowboy and his wife's love of working the land.
The album opens with Tom Russell's composition "Hallie
Lonnigan" setting the stage for the whole album
with a song of a woman's passion for nature and the reality
of the open range. A somewhat amusing song is also found with
the three siblings looking at how they preserve themselves when
they "grow-up" with the Donnie Blanz song "Wannabe".
Carin and the boys offer a top-notch version of the cowboy standard
"Ghost Riders In The Sky"
(Stan Jones) with Colin taking lead vocals.
An exemplary album with sparkling vocals
and yodeling from a group of young western singers who are destined
to go far. They are already drawing great interest on the western
scene and can only go from strength to strength. So keep a look
out for Carin Mari & Pony Express. Highly recommended…buy
this album Old Log Barn!!!
www.carinmarimusic.com
Graham Lees Sept 2006
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