Born in Ohio, but raised in West Virginia, singer/multi-instrumentalist Lionel Cartwright was one of those guys who plugged away for over a decade before becoming a country music headliner in the late 1980s and early 'Nineties. A musical prodigy, Cartwright grew up in the tiny river town of Glen Dale, West Virginia, and found himself at an early age in the orbit of the fabled Wheeling Jamboree variety show, playing locally for several years before trying his luck in Nashville. Championed by producer Tony Brown, Cartwright was part of a wave of twangy neo-trad artists who hit the charts, and though he slid off the charts, he scored several big hits, including the chart-topping "Leap Of Faith," off his third album. Here's a quick look at his career...
Lionel Cartwright "Lionel Cartwright" (MCA Records, 1989)
(Produced by Tony Brown & Steuart Smith)
A nice debut from this Ohio-born vocalist. He's definitely on the mellow side, but evokes the neo-traditionalism of Randy Travis and Rodney Crowell, along with a strong affinity for the smooth balladeering of Vince Gill (who sings backup on some of these tracks...) Most of this album is pleasant but forgettable, though a few tunes will stick to your ribs such as Cartwright's first single, "You're Gonna Make Me Mine," which didn't go far in the charts, but was good enough to get him an album deal, and "Give Me His Last Chance," a slick-but-rootsy love-triangle weeper which has a nice, mournful chorus. As far as mainstream '80s country goes, this is pretty good stuff -- easy on the ears but not totally cloying, just soulful enough to hook in traditionalists, but modern enough to get him on the charts.
Lionel Cartwright "I Watched It On The Radio" (MCA Records, 1990)
(Produced by Tony Brown & Steuart Smith)
Brightly engineered pop-country; the uptempo stuff has a nice country-rock Rodney Crowell/Ricky Skaggs feel, although the ballads are a little too drippy and slow for me. The title track is nice, though a lot of this album is less memorable. I guess "My Heart Is Set On You" is the only other track I'd really recommended here.
Lionel Cartwright "Chasin' The Sun" (MCA Records, 1991)
(Produced by Tony Brown & Barry Beckett, Ed Seay, et. al)
A dimly remembered cult favorite, songwriter Lionel Cartwright racked up a few notable hits in the early 'Nineties, but he folded up the tent fairly early on, and it's easy to see why. He's barely an adequate singer, though given the right setting, he does bring it home on a tune or two. "What Kind Of Fool," a minor hit, is a very effective heartsong; the album's closing number, "Leap Of Faith," was Cartwright's crowning glory, a #1 hit that starts out awkwardly, but builds up to a pleasantly poppy crescendo. Most of his songs sound clumsy, though -- he really is an artist best suited to a modest best-of set, or to some careful ala carte song sampling. The following year, in 1992, Cartwright's label released a few singles from an abortive album, The Real Story, which was shelved when his contact ended. Nashville can be harsh.
Lionel Cartwright "Miles And Years" (1999)
Lionel Cartwright "Signature Series, v.1" (Intuitive Records, 2005)
A modest 5-song EP that recaps some career highlights...
Kathy Shaw & The Expressions "Some Of Our Favorite Gospel Songs" (Jamboree USA Records, 1979-?) (LP)
(Produced by Jerry Brightman, Tom Muccio & Jerry Sexton)
An early appearance on vinyl, with a teenage Lionel Cartwright playing dobro, fiddle and piano, while also chiming in as a core member of the vocal group. Singer Kathy Shaw was originally a child performer herself, singing in a family band with her sisters Becky, Joyce and Margaret, winning a statewide competition in 1971 which earned them an invitation to perform at the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree USA variety show. Kathy and Margaret stayed with the Jamboree for several years, which is where they later met the up-and-coming Cartwright. Also on board are Jamboree regulars steel player Jerry Brightman and guitarist Jerry Sexton, who seems to have married Margaret Shaw. Though the Expressions were primarily a secular band, this is an all-gospel set packed with classic tunes by Albert E. Brumley, Mosie Lister, Dottie Rambo and others. Cartwright's fans in particular might want to keep an eye out for this one.
