(Deep South Productions) Poodle Lynn was born Flora May Lewing in 1946 in Buna, Texas just east of the Louisiana border. The daughter of a preacher, her father gave her the name "Poodle" as a child and "Lynn" was later added by coworkers at a day job. She grew up in Houston listening to country, Cajun swing and gospel music, started playing piano in her father's church when she was eight and started playing guitar and writing songs at twelve. She began her professional music career after graduating high school in her brother Albert's band. She's performed all over Texas and Louisiana, did some recordings in Nashville and was invited to the Louisiana Hayride to perform her songs. In 1985 Poodle Lynn formed the Backstage Band with her teenage children.

Country's All I'll Ever Be is their first recording together as a family band. Sons, T.J. Hamrick Jr. and Billy Wimberly Jr. and daughter, Melissa Sellers are also singer/songwriters. All the songs on the album (except "Squeeze Box" and "Mama Don't Allow") are written and performed by Poodle Lynn and her children, and they trade off throughout the album on lead vocals.

Poodle Lynn and the Backstage Band offer up something for everyone on the album. They deliver classic style honky tonk shuffles by way of the terrific title track "Country's All I'll Ever Be," "I Thought Roses Were For Love" and the outstanding ""Don't You Cry." Two-steppers include the spirited "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To," "Dancing In The Dining Room" that tells of past family memories and the gospel tinged "It Takes Two." "Come With Me To The Chapel" is a gospel song they do a cappella that features gorgeous harmonies. The album contains two beautiful waltzes in "Confused" and "Old Pair Of Shoes." They cover The Who's "Squeeze Box" and transform it into a delightful Cajun swing number. "Thinkin' Bout My Baby" is a smokin' roadhouse honky tonker, while the album's closing bonus track, a cover of "Mama Don't Allow" is done up as a rousing, rockabilly inflected two-stepper. Poodle delivers some great gritty country-blues with "I Hold The Key." The album's absolute highlight is the jaw dropping show stopper, a retro bluesy honky tonk torch song, "Until Life's Chapter Turns The Page." 

Country's All I'll Ever Be is a sheer delight, country music in it's purist and most joyous form. Not only is Poodle Lynn a terrific performer/songwriter, but so are all three of her children. The vocal and writing contributions from each member of the family makes for a nice diversity and the harmonies are wonderful, the warm, familiar kind that come from strong family ties.           

Standout Tracks: "Country's All I'll Ever Be," "Don't You Cry," "Thinkin' Bout My Baby," "Dancing In The Dining Room," "I Hold The Key," "Until Life's Chapter Turns A Page"

On The Net: http://www.deepsouthaustin.com/poodle/country.html

www.cdbaby.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack June 2004