A Baldwin County musician with deep roots in the local scene has put out his own full-length record. Adam Holt, a singer-songwriter known for his blend of blues, rock and Americana that he calls “Southern Heartland Rock,” is celebrating the release of his new album, Kind of Blues, on Zenith Records.
The project was a hometown affair from start to finish. Holt self-produced the album at his Eastern Shore studio, Studio ’78, which specializes in classic analog recording. He sings and plays guitar and keyboards on the record, and he brought in a roster of regional players to fill it out, including bassist Owen Finley, drummer Greg Deluca, slide guitarist Lee Yankie, pianist and organist Donnie Sundal, pedal steel guitarist Mark Welborn and bassist Pierre Robinson.
Mixing was handled at Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana, while Baldwin County resident Kevin Nix of L. Nix Mastering balanced the tracks.
The title track, “Mr. Morning Drive,” opens the album with warm slide guitar and Heartland-rock rhythms. Other highlights include the ballad “Don’t Give Up On Me Baby,” the blues-rocker “Bobby” and a closing cover of Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay.” A touch of South Louisiana blues surfaces on “The End.”
Holt is marking the release with a party on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, 916 Charleston St. in Mobile. Admission is $5 at the door.
Holt built his reputation in the area both as a performer and as a behind-the-scenes supporter of other local musicians before turning the spotlight back on his own material with this release.