I THINK YOU SHOULD–CAN’T GET ENOUGH–IF YOU EVER WILL–PORCHLIGHT–JUST LET ME IN–SUNDAY MORNING–RAMBLIN BLUES–(I’M DOING) FINE GIRL–LINE BOAT BLUES (FEAT. DAVID CHILDERS)–CARLY

Singer-songwriter Ben Davis, Jr., was born amidst the hills and hollers of southern Ohio, and he has already elicited comparisons to the likes of Todd Snider, Steve Earle, and David Childers (who appears herein). That Ohio homeland serves as the backdrop for his latest set, ten originals that comprise “Suthernahhia.” Produced by Eddie Ashworth at The Oxide Shed in Athens, Ohio, Ben is the vocalist, with superb backing from The Revelry–Erik Miller on drums, Levi Westfall on bass, Ben Ervin on guitar, and Eddie Ashworth doubling down on keys.

Virtually all these songs deal with love and relationships, with our hero, sadly, often on the outside looking in. The set opens with Ben calling out an immature lover unwilling to accept her responsibilities as an adult, “I Think You Should.” A jumpin’, bluesed-up cut finds our hero “headed west” to see a lover in the throes of an abusive relationship, even tho he’s “the other man,” and just “Can’t Get Enough” of her. That abusive relationship cycle continues with the somber reach-out to another survivor, “Just Let Me In.” “Sunday Morning” is set over a lively arrangement, even tho our hero is mourning the loss of a lover thru an act of violence predicated by those “Johnson brothers.” The set closes on a similar, tragic note, as “Carly” traces high school sweethearts, she in her “Chuck Tay’s” on the way to Junior Prom with him. Alas, he falls for the drink, and she, for the needle, as her life ends much too soon, leaving him to ponder, “Carly, will I ever see you again?”

Folks, let’s head on down to the bar–you know the one, behind the stoplight. Let’s order a round of Jack and Cokes, sing a chorus of “Don’t Think Twice,” and raise a glass to one of Americana’s brightest young artists, Ben Davis, Jr., and “Suthernahia.” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.