In this week's episode we're featuring the major label debut for Mark Chesnutt: "Too Cold At Home" (1990). Having dropped out of high school to pursue a career playing bars and honky tonks, Chesnutt garnered enough attention to record some independent material in San Antonio and Houston during that period (including at AV Mittelstedt's famous SoundMasters Studios). Some of that material got the attention of MCA/Decca and thus followed his signing and debut album. The title cut, written by 60s country star Bobby Harden and at one time turned down by George Jones, found a home with Mark Chesnutt and a further four big singles did well for the Beaumont native. In a cruel twist of fate, Chesnutt's father Bob, who had been a honky tonk singer himself and instrumental in helping foster his son's musical dreams, passed away the year "Too Cold At Home" was released. Solidly rooted in the sounds of the new traditional movement, Chesnutt's debut album contains some very strong material: the barroom classic "Brother Jukebox" always hits a chord; the swinging "Blame It On Texas" has you heading for the honky tonk and the title track is a masterclass in country music for those who may have forgotten what it sounds like. Barely a dud on there.

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