HANK A. THOMPSON – The Symbol
It Takes A Lot To Be A Hero – The Symbol –
The Destruction of You and Me – My Dream Came True – Breakin’ Every
Promise – I Don’t Wanna Be A Memory – The Fast Lane – The Shadow Of A
Man – Thank You, Girl – No Way I Can Win
The Destruction of You and Me – My Dream Came True – Breakin’ Every
Promise – I Don’t Wanna Be A Memory – The Fast Lane – The Shadow Of A
Man – Thank You, Girl – No Way I Can Win
Yes, it’s Hank Thompson, but not THE Hank Thompson.
This Hank lives down in Texas, with an incredibly good country
voice, recording the incredibly good songwriting abilities of Don
Branscum who lives in Streetman, Texas. Hank does all the vocals, and
uses a keyboard with lots of adaptations to give him more than adequate
backing. It’s actually the original songs that prevails throughout this
project. Both of these patriots served in the military. Hank was in
the Navy with two tours to Vietnam. Don was a Marine from 1960-1966,
and later in life these two military men joined forces to produce this
elegant CD about military life, times good and bad. Don’s brother Billy
was wounded in Vietnam, and was the inspiration for the song “The
Symbol” which is really a statement espoused by all Americans,
especially those who lost someone in military confrontation, or ones who
came home mutilated and maimed.
This Hank lives down in Texas, with an incredibly good country
voice, recording the incredibly good songwriting abilities of Don
Branscum who lives in Streetman, Texas. Hank does all the vocals, and
uses a keyboard with lots of adaptations to give him more than adequate
backing. It’s actually the original songs that prevails throughout this
project. Both of these patriots served in the military. Hank was in
the Navy with two tours to Vietnam. Don was a Marine from 1960-1966,
and later in life these two military men joined forces to produce this
elegant CD about military life, times good and bad. Don’s brother Billy
was wounded in Vietnam, and was the inspiration for the song “The
Symbol” which is really a statement espoused by all Americans,
especially those who lost someone in military confrontation, or ones who
came home mutilated and maimed.
Don Branscum wrote all the songs on this poignant CD,
and they all are right on track with the message they reveal to the
listener. Anyone and everyone that holds a special place in their heart
for our military will certainly like this CD, and all the messages it
reveals. There’s some good heart-breakers too, just like country music
has always been. Songwriting has inevitably been an outlet for telling
stories about personal pain and unhappy experiences. I miss the steel
guitar, especially on “The Destruction of You and Me” which could have
used that inevitable ‘crying’ sound the steel so elegantly reveals.
and they all are right on track with the message they reveal to the
listener. Anyone and everyone that holds a special place in their heart
for our military will certainly like this CD, and all the messages it
reveals. There’s some good heart-breakers too, just like country music
has always been. Songwriting has inevitably been an outlet for telling
stories about personal pain and unhappy experiences. I miss the steel
guitar, especially on “The Destruction of You and Me” which could have
used that inevitable ‘crying’ sound the steel so elegantly reveals.
It is so unfortunate that today’s country music scene
has fallen into a huge hole I call simply ‘pop’ music without the
historically prevalent ‘twang’ in country music which proved beyond a
shadow of a doubt that it was ‘country.’ Hank and Don should try the
European market. There’s not a song on this CD that the European’s
would not appreciate. There are many many country music clubs throughout
Europe that would welcome with open arms this kind of performer.
has fallen into a huge hole I call simply ‘pop’ music without the
historically prevalent ‘twang’ in country music which proved beyond a
shadow of a doubt that it was ‘country.’ Hank and Don should try the
European market. There’s not a song on this CD that the European’s
would not appreciate. There are many many country music clubs throughout
Europe that would welcome with open arms this kind of performer.
Personally this is one of the best ‘patriotic’ and
‘country cry’ albums I’ve heard this year. Well, it’s only January 3rd,
so I’ll bet there’s more to come, but for now, it’s number one.
‘country cry’ albums I’ve heard this year. Well, it’s only January 3rd,
so I’ll bet there’s more to come, but for now, it’s number one.
Bob Everhart, Reviewer