(Tone-Bone Records) Tulsa native, Brandon Jenkins, got his start playing music while attending college in Stillwater in the late 80s/early 90s. He wound up landing an independent record deal with Rainy Music in Birmingham, AL. They slapped a cowboy hat on him and sent him out touring the "boot scootin' " country music clubs. He cut his first album in LA and eventually moved to Nashville. Becoming disillusioned by the country music scene there, he decided to move back to Oklahoma, shed the country trappings and returned to his roots as a singer/songwriter. Among Brandon's influences are Woody Guthrie, James Taylor, Taj Mahal, Van Halen, Steve Earle, "the whole 'Outlaw' scene (Waylon, Willie, etc.)" and subconsciously, the music he heard as a child: George Jones, Buck Owens, etc. While many people tell him he sounds "country," Brandon says his sound is just plain "Okie," and considers his style equal parts Neil Young and Merle Haggard. With three acclaimed studio albums and one live disc under his belt, Brandon was chosen by Pete Anderson to have one of his tracks ("My Feet Don't Touch The Ground") featured on Pete's lastest compilation release, A Country West Of Nashville.

Unmended is Brandon Jenkins' 5th release. He's gained respect over the past several years as one of Oklahoma's best and most intelligent songwriters who combines elements of country, folk, blues and a bit of rock into his music, and he posseses a soulfully warm and emotive voice. Unmended opens with a reprise of his Town West Of Nashville track, the swaying "My Feet Don't Touch The Ground," that proves what mainstream Nashville could sound like- if done right. He mines country/folk territory on the wistfully poignant reflection of a love lost to death in "In My Heart," the starkly bleak tale of small town, blue collar life in the stellar "The Refinery Blues" and the quietly tender title track, "Unmended." Brandon adds some soulful vocals to his tale of aching longing in "What's A Man To Do," and the hopeful tale of new beginnings in the bluesy standout, "The Rain." He conveys both the uncertainty and excitement of a new love in the mid-tempo "Texas Moon," while the gypsy inflected melody of "Good Talking To" tackles the unwelcome reappearance of an ex-lover. Keeping the faith runs through another standout, the slow, bluesy country-rocker "Fly On." Brandon bumps things up a few notches with the bluesy, roadhouse rockin' boogie of "Austin" and the chugging rhythm of passion for life on the road in "Hear Those Engines Wind." 

Brandon Jenkins delivers yet another strong disc of well written and performed portraits of the various aspects of everyday life in which you win some, lose some and sometimes just break even.         

Standout Tracks: "Refinery Blues," "The Rain," "Austin," "Fly On," "Hear Those Engines Wind"

Last Word: Strong singer/songwriter who effectively blends his musical influences creating his own unique style that's deeply rooted in his Oklahoma roots. Brendon Jenkins would especially appeal to fans of the 'Red Dirt'/Texas singer-songwriter sound.

On The Net:   www.brandonjenkins.com  
www.texasmusicroundup.com