My Intro to Elizabeth Cook

Elizabeth Cook first came to my attention in one of several articles on CMT written by Chet Flippo. For those of you who have read Chet Flippo, you will no doubt have observed that he speaks what`s on his mind. He seems to be a very schooled writer, especially when it comes to the state of country music today. Mr. Flippo also seems to have a great appreciation for all types of music and how they interact with one another. He is also not afraid to state his opinion, no matter what that opinion is, about various topics in the country music industry. He too, appears to be frustrated with the mainstream.

And so it was with special attention that I read one of his past articles on this young lady who just keeps blowing him away with her music. You won`t find Elizabeth Cook on mainstream country radio, at least not at this point. If you`re a customer of Sirius-XM Satellite Radio, you may know Elizabeth Cook from her weekday morning radio show called Apron Strings. She`s a very capable host and can more than hold her own with the male dominated morning shows out there.

In addition to her morning show, Elizabeth Cook is a recording artist, songwriter and musician. Talent is as natural as breathing to this woman.

I picked up her latest album Welder, released on 31 Tigers Records. The title is an homage to her father who owned his own welding shop in Florida. Produced by the great Don Was, the album covers the gamut of traditional country to Americana. From the opening track of All the Time and rolling in to El Camino, this album catches you right away. For me, the highlight of the album is Not California. Ms. Cook really shows her vocal chops on this track. She covers topics that are too touchy for mainstream country radio, with Heroin Addict Sister telling the story of a young lady coping with drug addiction.

Listening to this album, I can see what Chet Flippo is talking about. She is the real deal. I too, hope that she can someday gain the wide audience that she richly deserves. I`ll have more on Elizabeth Cook in the next couple of days. She is playing in Buffalo, New York this afternoon at 4:00 at the Sportsmen`s Tavern. Upcoming tour dates are November 8 in Albany, New York at The Linda; November 10 in Piermont, New York, at The Turning Point; and in Lewiston, Maine at The Olin Arts Center. If you`re in these areas and have the time do check out the show, it will be time well spent, I promise.