Gwen Sebastian – “Hard Rain”

This song and Gwen’s voice are so generic by today’s radio standards this single just might work, but I highly doubt it. With Sarah Buxton having to claw her way up the charts one position at a time with an infectiously catchy tune like “Outside My Window” (even with a radio tour and big label support behind her), I don’t see how Gwen will gain any traction at major market stations with this song. Those smaller market stations that spin tracks from new artists off CDX CD’s might bite, but their chart impact is negligible.

Gwen will probably join the ranks of other talented, newer female artists from small labels trying to break the radio barrier such as Katie Armiger and Emma Jacob, and will likely experience about as much success. My reference standard for female artists that should have made it and didn’t is Amber Dotson, and Gwen doesn’t even come close to Amber’s vocal abilities. Sheesh…

I respect opinions, but Rick, you’re WAY off here! It’s too bad you don’t recognize great talent!

I loved this song. Sounds just like an old Pam Tillis tune might.

We opened for the first credited songwriter, Jason Jones, in Grand Rapids last month, and sitting back by the bar listening, this song really grabbed my attention. Jason is signed to Warner Bros., and is a helluva talent on his own. Glad to see a song of his getting some spin from another artist.

Google him, dude can sing.

I kind of agree with Rick on this one. While the lyrics by Mr. Jones and Mr. Jones are sophisticated words of wisdom that tell a story in the vein of traditional country music, Gwen’s vocals and the somehow strange production severely limit the song’s impact for me. Also, as Rick pointed out, unless she’s on a nationwide would-be talent show, it’s frustratingly difficult for most female artists to break into country music these days, and it’s doubtful that this song is going to do that for Gwen given the current state of both the radio and the song itself. But best of luck. Sometimes the way things go can surprise you.