The Hits (CD - 1998)

Producers: Tony Brown, Jimmy Bowen, Steve Wariner, Randy Scruggs.

Compilation producers: Dee Henry, Tony Brown.

Includes liner notes by Robert K. Oermann.

Liner Note Author: Robert K. Oermann.

Photographer: Ron Keith.

Fans who only became aware of Steve Wariner through his hits of 1997-1998 ("Holes In the Floor of Heaven," "What If I Said") and his collaborations with Garth Brooks ("Longneck Bottle," "Burnin' the Roadhouse Down") should realize that he's been around since 1980. In fact, between 1985 and 1990, Wariner scored an unbroken string of 18 top 10 singles. Many of these are collected on THE HITS, a good overview of the years Wariner spent on MCA Records. As the CD moves from early pop-tinged singles like "In A Heartbeat" and "Lynda" to the more country-sounding "When I Could Come Home To You" and "Small Town Girl," you can hear Wariner grow into a sensitive balladeer.

"You Can Dream of Me," established Wariner as a songwriter, while the outstanding "I Should Be With You" shows off his considerable guitar skills. By the time THE HITS closes with the wistful "There For Awhile," the listener has a complete picture of Steve Wariner: a talented songwriter, skilled guitarist and top-notch singer. While contractual difficulties and apathetic radio programmers kept Wariner out of the game for most of the '90s, THE HITS shows why he never should've gone away. minimize