Charlotte Avenue Entertainment

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Virginia born newcomer Trace Nixon introduces himself as a true songwriter with an old soul, supplying poetic slice-of-life narratives that range from lighthearted and humorous to existential and thought-provoking, on this impressive 5-track debut EP.They often feel like conversations he’s having with himself or private thoughts from his subconscious. His tales are of the reality, not the myth of country music. Along with album opener This One’s For Alan, this set showcases his mastery of material in line with classic 1990s country ballads. This record etches in stone the line drawn in the sand by folk like Mel McDaniel, Tracy Lawrence, George Strait and of course Alan Jackson. Tying it all together is Trace Nelson’s confessional songwriting style, anchoring his inventive soundscapes into the earthy mess of the human heart. He offers up thought-provoking lyrics in a style reminiscent of Tom T. Hall’s storytelling but delivered with what feels to be more in keeping with Alan Jackson’s sound. There’s bustling-but-precise musicality throughout. His melodies are simple, like Jackson’s, and his tone is reminiscent of a lovelorn Doug Stone, then he adds his own style perfectly.

For a time growing up, Trace was torn between baseball and music. His parents, Michelle and Nick Nixon, were (and still are) a popular bluegrass act. Touring and recording as Michelle Nixon and Drive, Michelle was named the 2006 Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) at the SPBGMA convention. Trace attended Shenandoah University on a baseball ticket but increasingly was drawn towards music. Performing solo in local clubs in his spare time, following graduation he formed his Gone Country band and spread his wings further afield. He demonstrates his passion for the more traditional strains of country with This One’s For Alan. A kind of updated Murder On Music Row, this is a heartfelt shoutout to all the classic country traditionalists, whose style of music is no longer recorded on Music Row or heard on Country Radio. While Love Lost Has Been is made for the darkest corners of the bar; Ready For the Takin’ (When You Are), captures hearts with his heartfelt vocal as he’s falling for someone so hard, commonsense goes out the window. This song taps into something ageless, between the lyrics, the thoughtful arrangement, and Trace’s vocals that seem to float on the wind. In contrast, Love Lost Has Been, plays like a vintage country drinking tune with curling guitars, sawing fiddle and pedal steel. A bold and fearless barroom confession that soundtracks heartache and pain buried deep at the bottom of a glass, this message hits all the right spots like a dram of good whiskey.

Hand Me Down Name has a gentler feel, with thoughtful and well-crafted lyrics. To a fiddle-driven arrangement, he recalls his war veteran grandfather’s emotional struggles and the impact it had on his own life. He has a way of putting the listener into this heartfelt story, making them feel a part of what’s going on. It’s a powerful, unusual, remarkable track that struck me and then stuck with me. Fiddle is to the fore on the toe-tapping Secondhand Hold On Me, a honky-tonk barroom romantic entanglement that is quite irresistible. This spotlights Trace Nixon’s knack for verse-chorus pivots and what is perhaps his most memorable hook. Again, he offers intriguing lyrics as he tackles the dual addiction for an out-of-reach lover and cigarettes, and cleverly blends in the dangers of secondhand smoke and sexual attraction. Fine lyrics and powerful arrangements abound throughout this all-too-short set. I would definitely like to hear much more from Trace Nixon.

https://tracenixonofficial.com

October 2025