10.14.04 Nashville City Paper Local talent a real standout In a city loaded with excellent singer/songwriters Stephen Simmons' new self-released CD Last Call deserves special praise and attention for its mix of thoughtful lyrics and expressive, urgent lead vocals. While others focus on the upcoming election and political fare, Simmons explores more universal subjects without turning any song into a bitter diatribe or overly sentimental lament. On the story songs sometimes it is hard to separate things that actually happened to me from the narrative that is fiction," Simmons said. "Sometimes I'm inspired by things that I experienced. Other times there will be something that just triggers the creative spark and I can create something completely separate from my own life. But I am always exploring things that I think everyone in the audience on some level has experienced or thought about." Simmons, whose trio performs tonight at the Family Wash and Friday night at the Exit/In as part of the RASAC benefit, recorded Last Call locally in collaboration with producer/engineer Eric Fritsch. Such highly regarded Nashville musicians as guitarist Kenny Vaughn, bassist Dave Jacques, drummer Paul Griffith and cellist David Henry joined Simmons on the disc, which includes such poignant tunes as the autobiographical "Country Lines" illuminating Simmons' background in Cannon County and the more somber "Bow Down" that outlines the dilemma of a cop who succumbs to temptation. Simmons avoids sounding anguished or overwrought in any situation, even when delivering lyrics that in lesser hands might sound clichéd or pious. His arrangements utilize elements of country, rock and pop, with everything linked through his strong, engaging vocals. Fueled by a love for performing and a belief in his own skills, Simmons hasn't sat back in wait of the industry to discover his skills. "I'm trying to play as much as I can," Simmons said. "I'm certainly open to some sort of distribution deal, but I also knew it didn't make sense to sit around hoping someone would find or hear me. I'm confident enough in my music and myself to feel that there's an audience out there for my songs, and I've already got enough music for three more records." – Ron Wynn