“Waiting In The Wings” Feature & CD Review
Country Stars Online – September 2006

 

Annie Sims - Half The Moon
By George Peden

Here at Countrystarsonline.com we’re always looking for fresh, musical and promising artists to promote to our readers. However, given the number of acts and available talent, we have to set some guidelines. We have to be selective. We have to be choosy. To rate a mention, the artist has to be someone (or a group) that’s toiled away, hoping to make a career out of country music.

In essence: they’ve paid their dues. We’re always delighted when we discover such a person.

Annie Sims is no quick-fame grabber. She’s been in, around, and part of the music from the age of three. This East Tennessean, a classically trained pianist who also holds a degree in vocal music education, has worked hard and long to capture a slice of the market. Her latest release, Half The Moon, is now starting to grab some home-grown interest, following from a successful and acclaimed tour of Europe in 2005.

Sims has toured with Don Williams, and, several years’ back, she toured with music icon Gene Pitney. Pitney at the time was of high praise: "It is really more difficult than anyone would think to come up with the right performer to open my shows on a concert tour. Annie Sims was one of the best! She sang great, looked great, and had her own musicians who it turned out were excellent! Many long time fans sent me messages that said she was great and they looked forward to seeing her touring on her own in the future."

Out on Asprion Records and with hubby, Greg, at the production console, Sims not only captivates with a clear and rich voice across the 13 tracks, but she also proves she can write, having shared ink on six tunes for the album.

“Eighty Acres Of Stars” is a heart-tug. The ballad, which has just been released to radio and the public, is a single from the album. Sims’ ability to handle a lyric, shape a song and deliver it with feel and meaning tells across this tale of love and committed devotion. Written by Richard Leigh (“Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue” for Crystal Gayle, and “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” for Reba, among others) and Layng Martine,Jr., the tune is a showcase performance – well at home with the other country fare on offer here. Be sure and catch Sims’ rendition on Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind” – a sparse, simple and beautifully voiced take that shows just what can be done with a good song.

The CD also comes with DVD enhancement for “Doesn’t Anybody Love Like That Anymore”.

Check out Annie Sims. For now, it’s only half the moon, the rest is sure to follow.