Matt Kennon, Georgia native and up-and-coming country artist, is climbing the charts with his single “The Call.” Landing a spot in the Top 30, “The Call” touches on difficult life events that many people face. Kennon’s deep, raspy voice complements the seriousness of the messages he sends to his audience – whether it’s in “The Call” or other tracks off of his new EP. The son of an impoverished woman, Kennon found support from his adoptive parents and now writes about his personal struggles and thoughts. Although it may not always be easy to convey these emotions, Kennon believes that honesty is vital when it comes to his songwriting: “I don’t want to sing about anything that I haven’t been through.” With his booming voice and opinionated lyrics, he tackles the challenge of writing genuine and honesty country music.

On the follow-up to his debut single (the emotionally-charged “The Call”) Matt Kennon shows off a deep, smoke-stained voice that brims with masculinity. Once again, however, the toughness he naturally exudes when he sings is contrasted by a deeply sensitive lyric that delves into complex, decidedly adult emotional issues.

“You Can Still Wear White” tells the story of a single mother (the narrator’s fiancée) who struggles with whether or not to wear a white wedding dress at her upcoming wedding. Kennon reassures his lover that she can still wear white, “no matter where [she’s] been”—a simple but touching statement that speaks volumes on behalf of the redemptive power of love.

To that end, the song is a point of encouragement for anyone who has struggled to overcome the social stigmas that come with choices made and life lived. After all, what’s more freeing than the belief that our past sins leave no stain on our present or future?

There’s something very intimate about that sentiment, and emotional intimacy is something country music is lacking of late.

That intimacy runs through the backbone of the song, and so “You Can Still Wear White” scores points conceptually. How well that intimacy is threaded into the song from a craft standpoint, however, is up for question. It’s a genuinely touching idea, but the execution is a bit heavy-handed. Kennon’s exposition is clunky, utilizing an unnatural “question and answer” format to nudge the story along. Kennon’s questions and responses seem artificially loaded with lyrical furniture, as if he’s trying to paint the scene without “telling” us the scene.

Songwriters are taught to “show, don’t tell,” but here the craft element protrudes.

This song is effective even in spite of that clunkiness, primarily because of Kennon’s self-assured delivery. There’s a calming confidence in his voice, and a demonstrated strength in the way he takes control of this situation, essentially telling his lover to do what she wants regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Strength like that breeds safety and comfort, two things that many women crave. Because of that, Kennon comes off very positively in this song; he’s sensitive without being weak, and that’s sexy. That this gruff-voiced Georgia native is able to come off as both emotionally attuned and desirable is quite a feat, and bodes well for his chances.

On top of that, Kennon’s a capable, identifiable singer. This is a song that deserves a shot with listeners.

3.5/4 Stars!

For many country newcomers, the spotlight may shine but a moment or two. With a unique, masculine vocal and a mostly solid set of songs, Georgia-born Matt Kennon seems ready to face the risk of extinction head-on with his album’s leadoff track, “Drive It Like You Stole It.” His rocker-with-a-cause image carries through the rest of the set, thanks to songs like his Top 30 single “The Call” or “If I Was Any Kind  of Man.” His gravelly voice instantly sets him apart from the endless pack of country-pop wannabes. That distinctive voice and independent spirit also give strength to righteous barnburners like “Too Loud” and “Some People Piss Me Off,” but overwhelms the more tender moments on “Then There Was You.” Some of his best vocals come when he emulates his hero Travis Tritt and lets loose on the soulful, midtempo “Cry Like Memphis” and the album’s refreshing take on selfless devotion, “That’s Love.”