

Producer: Les Butler
Label: Butler Music Group
Website: www.songsofsharron.com
For those unfamiliar with her music, Sharron Kay King is a cross between Barbara Fairchild and Jessica King (hmm…any relation?), but she leans more so to Barbara Fairchild; so much so, that I can hear Fairchild singing any one of these songs. Sharron has an unassuming style and a very down-home, country sound. Not over the top at all, but rather she has a very pure quality, and I hope she never loses that. Most of this recording would fall more into the country/acoustical realm, than bluegrass, though there are some “grassy” connotations throughout and some of the songs could even fall into the “new grass” stylings as well.
The recording starts with a chorus of “MY BEST FRIEND” done acapella (which is done in full with music later in the recording) and leads right into the title song, “ONE STEP AT A TIME”.
Reviving a classic Daryl Williams penned tune from almost 20 years ago, “TWO MORE HANDS” is one of best songs on this recording and Sharron renders an excellent performance before moving on to a couple of time honored favorites, “BEYOND THE SUNSET” and a spirited rendition of, “LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ME”. (Love the organ on this song!)
A nice fiddle intro starts off a wonderful prayer in song entitled, “SAFE WITH YOU AT HOME ”. The following song, “NOT MY WILL”, is an excellent song speaking of our total reliance upon the Lord and that it is His will and not our own that we should seek out and follow.
The pace picks back up for the uniquely self penned song, “THE FORECAST”, which has a bit of an old time rock-n-roll sound to it, while “SMALL PIECE OF CLAY” slows things down a bit and is more akin to the style that fits Sharron best. “HE CALLED ME” offers a more Southern Gospel feel to it, but doesn't stray too far from the country feel that works so well for Sharron. The highly infectious bluegrass tinged “CHIN UP, JOURNEY ON” is an uptempo song offering encouragement to pick up and carry on.
Closing out the recording is a wonderful duet with one of my favorite vocalists, Tammy Dunaway of the Dunaways, on the song, “IN YOUR RAIN”. Sometimes we will find ourselves in a place where our hurts are so painful, that we just have stand in His rain and let His grace rain down upon us.
With half the recording penned by Sharron herself, she shows much potential as a very strong songwriter. She almost makes me think of a young Dottie Rambo, complete with guitar in hand! Most of the songs fall in to the medium to slow tempo range, but are all extremely well done. Sharron's strong country vocals seem to just take you in. Even on the songs I don't really like as well as the others, Sharron still manages to reel me in with her heartfelt vocals. I look forward to hearing a lot more from this young lady.
Personal Favs: ONE STEP AT A TIME; TWO MORE HANDS; LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ME: SAFE WITH YOU AT HOME; NOT MY WILL; IN YOUR RAIN
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