This Iowa farm boy learned about hard work from an early age; as a result, he is happy to be playing music any chance he gets, whether it be in a dive, on a grand stage or somewhere in between. Randy Kohrs has an auto collision repair business to fall back on if times get rough.

But after appearing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, playing with the Whites, Hank Williams III, Tom T. Hall, Continental Divide, Holly Dunn and Jerry Reed -- and appearing on some 500 albums -- finding work is not an issue any longer.

Kohrs' latest album, his fourth solo recording, is a collection of 11 songs of good old-fashioned mountain bluegrass music. Multi-instrumentalist Kohrs wrote many of the songs that appear on the album.

Kohrs set the mood for the album with the opening and title track "I'm Torn," a fast-paced hoe-down piece. The album also contains the obligatory gospel song "Hurry Back Jesus" and includes an old-fashioned tear-jerker duet with country music legend Dolly Parton.

I'm Torn is a mountain music lover's delight. When Kohrs made the album he wanted to create something that would span the generations, appealing to teens while not upsetting the older generations who help keep the traditions alive. Kohrs' music can easily fit alongside Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs or Ricky Skaggs.

by Sherrill Fulghum
Rambles.NET
12 May 2007