The Prospectors

“Few bands keep the Western swing banner flying high, but J.W.W. & the Prospectors wave that flag with nimble style. Their first full-length brings to mind traditional voices such as Tex Williams while also possessing the rebellious nature of revivalists like Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. A Moon Mullican cover and longtime Big Sandy drummer Bobby Trimble augment the local septet's bona fides.”

“J.W.W is Jeremiah Wade, and the group features another name that crops up with some regularity, in lead guitarist Tom Umberger. Wade & Umberger share equally the songwriting duties in this outfit, though pianist Massimo Gerosa also composed one—“M.G. Boogie”, which is also a highlight of the program. Of the 3 covers, only “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” is really familiar, and then they may have written their own lyrics to much of it, or gotten them from a version I hadn’t heard. Moon Mullican and Lou Wayne provided “What Have I Done To Make You Go Away,” sung by fiddler Heather Rae Johnson. The group mixes grooves and tempos well, not forgetting to play a few two-steps. They do feature steel guitar of course, and even a trumpet. I guess Umberger’s “Lone Star Beer” and “Big Bend Boogie” are my other favorites, but the whole program is enjoyable, and I’d sure go out to dance to this group whenever I’d get a chance!”