Just when I’m thinking there’s no new traditional country music coming out of Texas these days, a fresh young talent named Todd Fritsch proves me wrong.  I heard this young man singing a song written by one of my heroes, Brian Burns, early in his career called “I Don’t Live Here Anymore”.  This has always been one of my favorite tunes by Brian, so when I heard a different (but very good) voice singing it on a compilation CD I received from CD Tex, I had to look to see who it was.  I was pleasantly surprised by his smooth voice and country sound.  By the way, you should check CD Tex out because their CD’s introduce me to the music of many new artists I’ve only seen named on the internet or in printed matter. (wwwCDTex.com)

Todd hails from Willow Springs, Texas, where he still lives and ranches when he’s not playing music somewhere on the road.  Although still very young, it seems as if Todd is mature beyond his age with the discipline and pure grit and determination to succeed in the life he loves.  As Todd put it in an October, 2005 issue of Country Weekly, “I want to bring traditional country back,” declares Todd. “I’m country to the bone, from top to bottom. I’m a long-sleeved, tucked-in shirt, starched-jeans kind of guy, and I will be for the rest of my life.”

So now I have Todd’s self title CD that is just sheer joy to hear if you appreciate traditional country music the way I do.  Todd has strong vocals with a confidence level and style that you can’t ignore.  His music fits him to a tee…because he’s doing “his music his way”.   Good for Todd...I applaud him.  It's just real country music, just like his caution sign on the back of his CD liner reads...."Caution!  Contains Real Country Music".  'Nuff said, I reckon, because that 's it in a nutshell.

There’s really not a bad song on this album although I definitely have my favorites which are “I Don’t Live Here Anymore”, “Corpus Christi Callin’” and “Memory Do Your Thing”.  Todd ends the CD with “Cowboy Legacy”, a touching and emotional tribute to the late Chris LeDoux (a singing cowboy’s singing cowboy) .  So what we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is another shining star in the ever-growing, ever-glowing Texas music sky, and what a bright star it is!

It’s been tough sitting here listening to Todd Fritsch and typing this review without getting up and two stepping down the hallway a time or two.  I think we’ll be hearing more from Todd in the next few years.  Like I said, he’s young, but he’s got a lot of promise for keeping traditional country music alive and well for a few more years to come and for keeping our sky a little brighter deep in the heart of Texas.

For more about Todd Fritsch, visit his website www.ToddFritsch.com. 

                                                                                                     Happy Trails,

                                                                                                      Miss Lana

Written by Lana Hughes, March 2006