The Rest of Your Life by Kevin Johnson (CD, Nov-1998, Sam Records)

Every music lover has that small group of CDs from unknown artists that keeps showing up in their car stereo -- maybe it's the great music, and maybe it's the satisfaction that comes with knowing that you're one of the lucky few that stumbled across a good small label CD from a guy that never "made it" on commercial radio. "The Rest of Your Life" was released in 2000 with little fanfare, and aside from a small group of loyal fans that followed Kevin around the Washington DC area bar/coffeehouse scene, and the critics who once named Kevin as the area's best male vocalist (WAMMIES), it seems that no one noticed.

It's too bad. Even after 5 years, this record still stands out, showing up in my car ahead of Marshall Crenshaw, Peter Case, Toad the Wet Sprocket and other better known acts in the same amorphous roots rock/folk rock/alternative country vein. All the songs are good, but "Motel Six" and "Cold Water (On Your Burning Bed)" could be Top 20 country hits just based on their titles (somebody ought to cover these)...and they're terrific songs with catchy hooks and strong driving beats that make car trips fly by. Also check out "Wearing the Day Down" and "Trash," the latter co-written by Charlie Chesterman (remember him from the band Scruffy the Cat?). Copies of this CD aren't easy to find, but if you can pick this one up on Half.com, you'll be in for a treat.