Politics, Religion and Her
Encyclopedia
Politics, Religion and Her is a 1996 album by country
musician Sammy Kershaw
. The album launched several charting singles and itself charted at #115 on The Billboard 200, also peaking at #17 on Top Country Albums. Charting songs included "Vidalia", "Meant to Be", "Fit to Be Tied Down" and the title track, which peaked on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts at #10, #5, #29 and #28 respectively.
, which praised the singer for finding emotional depth on songs like "Little Bitty Crack in Her Heart" (which Randy Travis
would later record on his 1999 album A Man Ain't Made of Stone
) and the title track, but criticized his "tired" covers of "Memphis
" and "Chevy Van". Allmusic also found these two pop covers uninspired in nature, but said that the album had "a couple of powerful, soul-baring ballads." Country Standard Time
reviewer Larry Stephens gave a more positive review, saying, "His voice can never be mistaken for anything but country while he makes the music come alive. This is an album that has no bad cuts."
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
musician Sammy Kershaw
Sammy Kershaw
Samuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
. The album launched several charting singles and itself charted at #115 on The Billboard 200, also peaking at #17 on Top Country Albums. Charting songs included "Vidalia", "Meant to Be", "Fit to Be Tied Down" and the title track, which peaked on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts at #10, #5, #29 and #28 respectively.
Critical reception
At the time of release, the album received a C+ review from Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, which praised the singer for finding emotional depth on songs like "Little Bitty Crack in Her Heart" (which Randy Travis
Randy Travis
Randy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
would later record on his 1999 album A Man Ain't Made of Stone
A Man Ain't Made of Stone
A Man Ain't Made of Stone is the eleventh studio album from American country music artist Randy Travis. Released in 1999 as his second album for the DreamWorks label, it produced four singles, of which only one — the title track — was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard country charts...
) and the title track, but criticized his "tired" covers of "Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee (song)
"Memphis, Tennessee" is a song by rock & roll singer-songwriter Chuck Berry. It is sometimes shortened to "Memphis". In the UK, the song charted at #6 in 1963, at the same time Decca Records issued a cover version in the UK by Dave Berry and the Cruisers, who came from Sheffield, Yorkshire...
" and "Chevy Van". Allmusic also found these two pop covers uninspired in nature, but said that the album had "a couple of powerful, soul-baring ballads." Country Standard Time
Country Standard Time
Country Standard Time is a website dedicated to country music and related genres such as Bluegrass and Rockabilly. It provides news and musical reviews pertaining to the genre. It was established in 1992 by Jeffrey B. Remz as a print magazine, which was first published only in New England but went...
reviewer Larry Stephens gave a more positive review, saying, "His voice can never be mistaken for anything but country while he makes the music come alive. This is an album that has no bad cuts."
Track listing
- "VidaliaVidalia (song)"Vidalia" is the title of a song written by Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders, and recorded by American country music artist Sammy Kershaw. It was released in July 1996 as the second single from the album Politics, Religion and Her...
" (Tim NicholsTim NicholsTim Nichols Tim Nichols Tim Nichols (born in Portsmouth, Virginia is an American country music singer and songwriter. Active since the late 1980s, Nichols has written for several country music singers, including Keith Whitley, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, and Alan Jackson...
, Mark D. SandersMark D. SandersMark Daniel Sanders is an American Country Music songwriter. He has written 14 No. 1 hits, 50 singles, and over 200 cuts, including the famous Lee Ann Womack single “I Hope You Dance,” co-written with Tia Sillers.-Early life:...
) – 3:21 - "Meant to BeMeant to Be (song)"Meant to Be" is the title of a song recorded by country music artist Sammy Kershaw. It was released in March 1996 as the lead-off single from his 1996 album Politics, Religion and Her...
" (Rick Bowles, Chris WatersChris WatersChristopher Waters Dunn is an American country music singer and songwriter, known professionally as Chris Waters. The brother of singer Holly Dunn, Waters has co-written singles for other artists, including Number Ones for Tim McGraw and Cyndi Thomson.-Biography:Christopher Waters Dunn was born in...
) – 3:46 - "Fit to Be Tied Down" (Wynn Varble, Charles Victor) – 3:12
- "Politics, Religion and Her" (Byron HillByron HillByron Hill , is an American songwriter from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Working professionally in Nashville, TN for more than thirty years, his songs have been recorded by over 650 Country and Pop artists.-Music career:...
, Tony MartinTony Martin (songwriter)Tony Martin is a country music songwriter who has had twelve Number One hits as a songwriter. Among his compositions are "Third Rock from the Sun" by Joe Diffie and "Just to See You Smile" by Tim McGraw....
) – 3:19 - "Chevy Van" (Sammy JohnsSammy JohnsSammy Johns is an American country singer-songwriter, best known for his million selling 1975 hit single, "Chevy Van".-Career:...
) – 3:42 - "Same Place" (Buddy CannonBuddy CannonBuddy Cannon is an American country music songwriter and record producer. Active since the late 1970s, he is known primarily for his work as Kenny Chesney's record producer, for which he won the Academy of Country Music's Producer of the Year award in 2006.Along with Bill Anderson and Jamey...
, Marla Cannon, Dean DillonDean DillonDean Dillon is an American country music artist. Between 1982 and 1993, Dillon recorded six studio albums on various labels, and charted several singles on the Billboard country charts. Although he has not charted since 1993, Dillon has continued to write several hit songs for other artists, most...
) – 2:38 - "Little Bitty Crack in Her Heart" (Shawn Camp, Jim Rushing) – 2:50
- "These Flowers" (Rick Giles) – 3:20
- "I Saw You Today" (Bobby BraddockBobby BraddockRobert Valentine Braddock is an American country music songwriter and record producer. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Braddock has contributed numerous hit songs during more than 40 years in the industry, including 13 number-one hit...
) – 3:28 - "Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee (song)"Memphis, Tennessee" is a song by rock & roll singer-songwriter Chuck Berry. It is sometimes shortened to "Memphis". In the UK, the song charted at #6 in 1963, at the same time Decca Records issued a cover version in the UK by Dave Berry and the Cruisers, who came from Sheffield, Yorkshire...
" (Chuck BerryChuck BerryCharles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
) – 2:56 - "For Years" (Harley AllenHarley AllenHarley Lee Allen was an American bluegrass and country singer and songwriter.-Early life:He was born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of the bluegrass performer Red Allen.-Film career:...
, Stacey EarleStacey EarleStacey Earle is an American country music singer-songwriter. The sister of alt-country singer Steve Earle, she has recorded six albums to date, four with her husband, Mark Stuart....
) – 3:22 - "Here She Comes" (Sammy Kershaw) – 2:44
Personnel
- Eddie BayersEddie BayersEddie Bayers is an American session drummer who has played on 150 gold and platinum albums. He received the Academy of Country Music 'Drummer of the Year Award' for eight straight years, and has three times won the Nashville Music Awards 'Drummer of the Year'...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Bob Bullock – engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
- Buddy CannonBuddy CannonBuddy Cannon is an American country music songwriter and record producer. Active since the late 1970s, he is known primarily for his work as Kenny Chesney's record producer, for which he won the Academy of Country Music's Producer of the Year award in 2006.Along with Bill Anderson and Jamey...
– producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Glen Duncan – fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
- Stuart DuncanStuart DuncanStuart Duncan is a bluegrass musician who plays the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo. Born in Quantico, Virginia and raised in Santa Paula, California, where he played in the school band, he has been a member of the Nashville Bluegrass Band since 1985, and is a much-in-demand session musician...
– fiddle - Paul FranklinPaul Franklin (musician)Paul Franklin is an American multi-instrumentalist, known mainly for his work as a steel guitarist. He began his career in the 1970s as a member of Barbara Mandrell's road band; in addition he toured with Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed. He has since become a prolific session musician in Nashville,...
– DobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
, steel guitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use... - Sonny Garrish – steel guitar
- Rob Hajacos – fiddle
- John Hobbs – pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- John Kelton – engineer
- Sammy KershawSammy KershawSamuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Paul Leim – drums
- Brent MasonBrent MasonBrent Mason is an American session guitarist and occasional songwriter. He is known primarily for his work in the field of country music. In addition to releasing two instrumental studio albums, he holds several credits as a songwriter...
– electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Nashville String MachineNashville String MachineNashville String Machine is a musical collective comprising session musicians and has been credited on recordings as far back as 1974. The Nashville String Machine's composition varies from project to project. It has appeared as large as an orchestra, or as small as a duo.-Notable members:Being a...
– strings - Steve Nathan – organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, piano - Danny Parks – acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
- Larry Paxton – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Warren Peterson – engineer
- Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano
- Hal Rugg – steel guitar
- John Wesley RylesJohn Wesley RylesJohn Wesley Ryles is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1968 with the single "Kay", a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, and the title track to his debut album for Columbia Records.Ryles later recorded one album, Reconsider Me, for the Plantation label,...
– background vocals - Keith StegallKeith StegallRobert Keith Stegall is an American country music recording artist and record producer. Active since 1980, Stegall has recorded two-major label studio albums: 1985's Keith Stegall and 1996's Passages...
– producer - John Willis – acoustic guitar
- Dennis Wilson – background vocals
- Norro WilsonNorro WilsonNorris "Norro" Wilson is an American country music singer, songwriter and producer, and member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame....
– producer - Glenn WorfGlenn WorfGlenn Worf is one of the premier Nashville session bassists. He was born in Dayton, Ohio but grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and has concentrated on the bass guitar since he was thirteen. He majored in music at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Inevitably his talents forced him to abandon the...
– bass - Reggie YoungReggie YoungReggie Young was lead guitarist in the American Sound Studios Band , and is a leading session musician. He played on various recordings with artists such as Elvis Presley, B.J. Thomas, John Prine, Dusty Springfield, J.J...
– electric guitar
Album
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 17 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 115 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | ||
| 1996 | "Meant to Be Meant to Be (song) "Meant to Be" is the title of a song recorded by country music artist Sammy Kershaw. It was released in March 1996 as the lead-off single from his 1996 album Politics, Religion and Her... " |
5 | 4 |
| "Vidalia" | 10 | 7 | |
| 1997 | "Politics, Religion, and Her" | 28 | 47 |
| "Fit to Be Tied Down" | 29 | 49 | |