Patient Man [Remaster] (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Brad Cotter (vocals); Mike Brignardello (electric guitar, bass instrument); Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Russ Pahl (steel guitar, pedal steel guitar); Larry Franklin (mandolin, fiddle); Tony Harrell, Steve Nathan (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, synthesizer); Eric Darken (percussion); Russell Terrell (background vocals); Biff Watson, Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); J.T. Corenflos, Tom Bukovac (electric guitar); Carl Marsh (keyboards); Greg Morrow (drums, maracas, tambourine, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Luke Wooten.

Recording information: 1808 Studios, Nashville, TN; The Sound Kitchen, Franklin, TN; The Tracking Room, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: John Scarpati.

Judging from his guy-next-door good looks and winner status on the USA Network's AMERICAN IDOL-style talent contest NASHVILLE STAR, one might assume that Brad Cotter is a simply a Clay Aiken wannabe in cowboy boots. Nevertheless, though his delivery is surely smooth enough for him to make it as a soft-rocker in the Leo Sayer/Christopher Cross vein, the Auburn, Alabama native is country through and through, often sounding like a musical descendent of 1970s Nashville brooders Don Williams and T.G. Sheppard. On weepers "I Came Here to Live" and "I Miss Me," Cotter's voice is imbued with a melancholy sincerity that makes even the most time-worn lines seem like soul-bearing declarations. PATIENT MAN also has its share of Springsteen-esque working-class anthems ("Blue Collar Night," "Rock and Roll in the Hay"), which find Cotter asserting his rural roots and allegiance to the simple life. minimize