Can't Back Down (CD - 2001)

Personnel includes: Collin Raye (vocals); Biff Watson, B.James Lowry (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason, Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Sonny Garrish, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Aubrey Haynie, Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Steve Nathan, Matt Rollings, Gary Prim (piano, keyboards); Chip Davis, Billy Davis, Wes Hightower, John Wesley Riles, Russell Terrell, Kim Carnes, Jeffrey Steele, Little Big Town (background vocals).

Recorded at Ocean Way and IOVD Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: B. James Lowry, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason , Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Rob Hajacos, Aubrey Haynie, Stuart Duncan (violin, fiddle); Gary Prim, Matt Rollings, Steve Nathan (piano, keyboards); Eddie Bayers (drums); Chip Davis, Jeffrey Steele, John Wesley Ryles, Kim Carnes, Little Big Town, Wes Hightower, Russell Terrell (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Julian King.

Recording information: Emerald Sound Studios, Nashville, TN; Loud Recording Studio, Nashville, TN; Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, TN; O'Henry Studios, Burbank, CA.

Photographer: Matthew Barnes.

Since his debut on the charts with 1991's "Love, Me," Raye founded his career with songs that blend social issues with sentiment. Can't Back Down is in much the same vein, alternating between broken hearts and perseverance. In this visceral collection, fans will find such timely songs as "Ain't Nobody Gonna Take That From Me," about holding memories, pride, and feelings deep inside our hearts, and "What I Need," about a man who prays for strength, courage, and faith, but gets them by overcoming pain, fear, and emptiness. The tenor vocalist also includes some rhythmic grooves and country rockers on this fluctuating album. "Gypsy Honeymoon" is reminiscent of "I Think About You," and "Young as We're Ever Gonna Be" is an ode to the fountain of youth. Fans will come to love and appreciate this eighth album, co-produced by James Stroud and Raye himself. ~ Maria Konicki Dinoia minimize