Ken Holloway

Item: He Who Made The Rain
Author: Vanessa Crooks

He Who Made The Rain

(1995)

Reviewed by Vanessa Crooks

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Label Brentwood MusicThe LighthouseSeptember 1995

blues country southern gospel

Ken Holloway received much acclaim for his self-titled debut album, and garnered numerous Christian Country Music Association Awards (CCMA), as well as the 1995 Country Album of the Year award from the International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMA). Often new artists find it hard to equal or surpass such early success on their second album. This is not the case with Holloway. His sophomore effort, He Who Made The Rain, is a superb honky-tonk, bar-band project.

It is evident that Ken Holloway is a polished performer, whose seasoning goes far beyond these two endeavors. Indeed, this Lafayette, Louisiana, native spent many years honing his craft in the club and rodeo scene prior to his conversion. The cut "Don't Wanna Go Alone" is an autobiographical song that shows the influential role Holloway's wife played in his coming to know Christ. She had already become a Christian and faithfully interceded for her husband's salvation:

She laid her hand upon my shoulder Soon as she thought I was asleep She softly whispered "Thank you Jesus You've brought him safely home to me I know where I'm going And I know heaven's mine But it breaks my heart in two To think about leaving him behind" 'Cause I don't wanna go without him Don't want to go alone Please don't give up on him Jesus He's the best friend I've ever known

When Holloway first began his relationship with Christ, he left behind his music and the atmosphere that surrounded it. But over time, God led him back to both the performing and the places, this time to be a light in the darkness.

Much like Christian country peers, Michael James and Paul Overstreet, Holloway sings passionately about upholding the value of family and cherishing his wife. However, his musical approach is entirely different-he has chosen to keep the rough and rousing honky-tonk roots. Songs like "Hoedown," "Good Lovin'," and "Snake Oil" are jangly jaunts and burning blends of piano, guitar, drums, and assorted "country" instruments. With tunes like those, Holloway would be at home at the legendary Gilley's or any midway stage. "Not Enough Amazing Grace," "Rich Kids," and "Momma Left the Light On" have the softer and more subtle qualities of Buddy Greene, Vince Gill, or Brian Barrett. Vocally, Holloway has a booming resonance which drives the more boisterous tunes and a deep intonation which adds depth to the mellow ones. Popular country newcomer Lari White adds her vibrant voice to "I'm Not Gonna Fall To Pieces." The combination of Holloway and White's voices is superb. The only disappointing feature to He Who Made The Rain is the playing time; it clocks in at just over thirty minutes-even a good barn dance lasts longer!

He Who Made The Rain is a pleasing concoction of barrel house blazers and sweet, subtle sounds. More than just a garnish, lyrics filled with redemption pungently contrast the predominantly raucous melodies. He Who Made The Rain serves the country audience the considerable talent and dramatic conversion of Ken Holloway.