Bryan Hayes crafts personal narratives with a novelist's eye (“Let's Ride”) and a poet's elegance (“Small Town Amazing Grace”). Clear evidence: The Memphis area resident’s seamless Farther Down the Line. Hayes' excellent new collection spotlights a rapidly rising songwriter growing exponentially (the title track). “This record was definitely

Bryan Hayes crafts personal narratives with a novelist's eye (“Let's Ride”) and a poet's elegance (“Small Town Amazing Grace”). Clear evidence: The Memphis area resident’s seamless Farther Down the Line. Hayes' excellent new collection spotlights a rapidly rising songwriter growing exponentially (the title track). “This record was definitely written with more confidence,” Hayes explains. “I was not afraid to touch on subject matter that I might have shied away from a few years ago. I now know what a gift this career is, so I feel like I owe it to my folks to be honest and open. I want the songs to come from my heart.” - Brian T. Atkinson