by:

-Saturday September 17, 1999

It’s been a long time since an independent label threw up a country artist so clearly destined for mass commercial success. Sure, the thriving indie scene has created homes for hundreds of leftfield artists but very few have managed to break an act into the country mainstream.

On the evidence of this four set show at Nashville’s prestigious Wildhorse Saloon venue, new label UndergroundCountry® has itself an act that just oozes star quality. Dressed in black, Sandefur took the stage like an entertainment veteran, confident in his musicians (who played their socks off by the way) and confident in his own ability as both a performer and entertainer.

First and foremost it’s the music, which suggests Brandon a certain tip for the top. Song after song, penned by Brandon and his guitar player Tim Baumgartner rang true with honesty, musicality and that down to earth grit that once made country music beloved by all real music fans. Cleverly marrying a traditional vocal style with an edgy, almost rock flavored instrumentation the music cut through the large room, grabbing the attention of locals and tourists alike. The dancers loved the upbeat honky tonk songs like ‘Rancho Be-bop’ and ‘Now You’re Tonkin’ but it was the rip- roaring ‘Right Between the Lies’ that really set the crowd alight, followed by one of the most sumptuous and moving ballads I’ve heard in many a year, ‘For All I Know.’

Sandefur announced from the stage that there’s a debut album on UndergroundCountry® about to be released and that’s something to look forward to. Once upon a time, I witnessed the young George Strait on stage in a small bar in Texas casually throwing out great song after great song and winning the crowd over with class and dignity. I figured he’d become a big star. I’ve not seen anything close since that Texas night fifteen years ago, until Brandon Sandefur that is. Definitely the best young act in Nashville right now.