Trace Nixon - Hand Me Down Name EP (2025) Hi-Res

With a well-crafted George Strait technique & a creative application Trace Nixon (acoustic guitar/vocals) uses an excellent country voice to convey radio-friendly tunes. Yes, they’re old-fashioned country curios that border on campy & novelty, but most importantly they never actually fall victim to those genres. The music itself is skillful & performed by musicians & Trace that never sounds sappy or trendy.

The early themes are humorous & often light-hearted until Trace generates the last song “Love Lost Has Been,” which is a muscular track & it smokes. Now that doesn’t mean the other 4 songs are poor – the other songs are more entertaining than deep-rooted. “This One’s For Alan,” is about songs dedicated to honky-tonk artists who have come before. It’s a pleasant hat tip to the past with clever, simple lyrics that are a bit inane. Country isn’t always highbrow. But I’ll admit that there are times country music succeeded with these types of menu favorites. But I’m not convinced this 2025 era is that time.

There are only 5 songs on this debut EP Hand Me Down Name produced by William Gawley & Michelle Robertson-Gawley. The vocals of Virginia-native Mr. Nixon are traditionally perfect. Many of the songs have strong melodies but hover over a lyrical simplicity. The title song is a well-played tune with poignant lyrics yet that isn’t always the application. Now these comments can sound like a put down but that’s not the intent. If Trace had a whacky voice I’d dismiss it as country hokum, but Trace has a great country voice. I just feel he needs to put some meat on the bones of his material & leave the silliness to Ray Stevens or Roger Miller.

I must reiterate that the musicians on this album are first class, the arrangements are tight & the showcase is never lame. As an artist Trace Nixon is gutsy, pure, robust & with lots of potential. I don’t find his songs at this junction (except for that last one) — bold music. Trace isn’t doing anything that hasn’t been done before. But his tonality & vocal style is prominent & the real Trace Nixon lies in that last Southern rock song with its pounding piano notes, soaring guitars, crisp drums & yes the word “bold” is applicable to the performance & arrangement.