Jennifer Strickland: at The Station Inn (Nashville, TN) Fri. January 4, 2013

Jennifer Strickland

Nashville Scene Critic's Pick …

A Missouri native best known — so far — for a half-decade’s worth of employment in bluegrass and country singer Alecia Nugent’s band, Jennifer Strickland has lately been edging more directly into the spotlight, exchanging the job of harmony vocalist for the role of singer-songwriter. It’s a good move, for while she’s a solid bassist and support singer, Strickland’s at her best when leading her own songs, which range from mournful ballad “Missouri Moon” to the pile-driving kiss-off “Going on the Next Train,” made famous respectively by Rhonda Vincent and Carrie Hassler. Fronting her own band is a smart and satisfying next step, and though she’s assembled a stellar group (Sim Daley, Nate Lee, Craig Market, Randy Kohrs) for this appearance, there’s little doubt that the strongest attraction is Strickland herself. Odds are, this is going to be one memorable show.

—JON WEISBERGER