Jon Conquest, Editor, 3rd Coast Music Magazine, San Antonio:
"Go out in Nashville and, as Keys did, you can meet and make friends with Barry and Holly Tashian, who produced his debut, David Olney, who contributed a liner note, and Mary Gauthier, who both inspired his move from Boise to Nashville and co-wrote "Empty Spaces" with him. With the Tashians making the calls, the backings, featuring Sam Bush mandolin, Lloyd Green pedal steel and Richard Bennett guitar, are, of course, immaculate, but it's very much Keys's show. Straddling Americana and honkytonk, his slow and easy delivery draws you in to his songs, then the words hold you."
Robert K. Oermann, Music Row Magazine,Nashville:
Melodic acoustic loveliness from a folksy troubadour embellished
by gentle mandolin and steel brilliance. Kudos to Nashville producers
the Tashians: This is as lovingly hand stitched as grandma's quilt.
Roots Music Report, San Marcos Texas:
Songwriting and Singing like few albums deliver; Dale Keys presents roots country music like few have the ability to do. If you are a real country music enthusiast you had better take a deep breath before you listen to this release.
This CD is as true to country as you can get and will take you on a musical ride through life as seen by Dale Keys. This man has a way with words and definitely has the voice to deliver.
If you’ve never heard a Real Roots Country Hit Record just listen to this one and hear what it’s all about.
Alan Cackett, Editor, Maverick Magazine (UK)
More backporch country than Nasvhille mainstream, this is delightful, laid-back, rootsy country...mighty rewarding.
Country Music Round Up:
Already with a fan base that includes Tim O'Brien, James Talley, Richard Dobson and other fine singer writers, Keys is well placed to bring real country back into the limelight. Produced by acclaimed acoustic duo Barry and Holly Tashian, the 13 self-penned songs include heart ballads, two-steppers and a sprinkling of humour. Sample; "Some Hearts", "Tucson Too Soon", "Old Kentucky Home" and "He's My Dog". Enhancing the proceedings are veteran virtuosos Lloyd Green and Dan Dugmore (steel), Richard Bennett (guitars), Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle) and Sam Bush (mandolin) with harmonies provided by the Tashians and Cathy Chiavola. www.dalekeys.com
(Country Music Round Up is a national monthly serving the whole of the UK and selected markets in Europe, America, Canada and Australia.
Barbara Cloyd, Bluebird Cafe, Nashville
"For lovers of traditional country, this one is a must-have. The
players have a gift for playing simply and laid-back without sacraficing
intensity. And Dale's writing is deceptively simple. He leads you gently
through a story, then hits you with a line so insightful and real that it
cuts to the core."
Freight Train Boogie (4 Stars)
Shades of honky-tonk, blended with an Americana base, is how I'd have to describe Dale Keys, with the emphasis being on the Americana side. Originally from Kentucky via Idaho, he now hangs out in Nashville, (gotta be the original part of town, where the real stuff still happens), attracting the positive attention of luminaries such as Barry and Holly Tashian and Mary Gauthier, which says a lot about this guy's talent.
www.freighttrainboogie.com
