New Country Music Alert: Tim Culpepper's New CD Set for Dec. 15 Release

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins Dec 9, 2008

Dec. 15, 2008, is the slated release date for the sophomore CD offering from country singer-songwriter Tim Culpepper, whose upcoming CD, Closer to Home, promises to deliver songs rich in lyrical content, and as always, with Tim's honey-smooth vocal work.

A native of Millbrook, Ala., Culpepper's newest album contains 10 original tunes that were crafted by the artist and his songwriter wife, Jeanette Culpepper, both of whom write with a number of established artists in the Music City area.

According to a Dec. 9, 2008, press release about the new project, "Closer to Home touches on the struggles of life, especially within the realm of home and family life. One of the CD’s songs, for example, I’ll Make it Up to You, deals with having to work, not having time for his daughter and his daughter growing up and not having time for him. Culpepper said it means a lot to him personally."

Culpepper, who fulfilled one of his biggest dreams earlier this year when he performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage, released his debut CD, Never Look Back, in 2005. The disc yielded positive critic feedback but, per the singer, the project was primarily created to showcase his vocals. His latest CD, though, focuses more on songwriting and making an emotional connection between country fans and the artist. Consequently, Culpepper had more time to develop and cultivate the songs chosen for the Closer to Home release, including its title track.

Describing the album's namesake tune, Culpepper said, “It’s just one of those songs that no matter where I go or what I do professionally, I can close my eyes and remember back to when I was a kid, and I can go back to those times in my mind. Like a work of art, the lyrics can take me to a place when I didn’t have any worries and all the memories from my childhood bring thoughts of the good times with my parents and grandparents.”

Beginning in November 2008, Culpepper began regular acoustic performances each Wednesday evening at Nashville's Hotel Preston, 733 Briley Parkway. This venue charges no cover and all ages are welcomed--a rare find in these parts--so families can enjoy a memorable live-music set by a second-to-none country vocalist. And when I say Culpepper's vocals are first-rate, bank on it. Not many can sing as this Alabama crooner can lay it down, including effortlessly pulling off Gene Watson or Keith Whitley covers. (Notice I said pulling off, not "attempting" to sing songs by Whitley or Watson, two of country music's finest voices ever.)

But hey, aside from being able to perform country fans listener requests, please take time to check out Tim's original music, and especially music from his latest Closer to Home disc ($12.50 per copy or $1.25 per downloaded song), because for country fans who like the traditional country bent, Culpepper's a winner. He grew up loving country music, including Western-swing, as well as the charisma and sound of Elvis, yet the music he creates is all his own. (He plays a mean electric bass, too, but hey, you have to see him with his full band to see that part of his live show.)

To preview Culpepper's music online for free, please access his My Country Space site, where he's currently building his own artist page (http://www.mycountryspace.com/TimCulpepper), complete with fiddle-laced song samples from the new album, or visit his MySpace page. He can pull of the Brooks and Dunn-esque boot-scootin' numbers, including his own stomper, It's A Country Thang, or the outlaw feel of Face the Past but Never Look Back. But for this writer's, he's at his best when his emotive, tender voice is wrapped around an original ballad, such as Seeing You with Me, or the heartfelt sentiment of Closer to Home or even Christmas Letter, which is a standout, thanks to its bare-bones production and Culpepper's earnest, captivating delivery.

For more information about his Wednesday performances at Hotel Preston, contact the venue toll free at (866) 986-8089. Culpepper, in addition to selling his new CD online, will also have copies of Closer to Home available at his live dates (and for $1.50 less than online).

To sample Closer to Home or order a copy, please access the artist's page at www.myspace.com/timculpepper.