Steve McWilliams is a singer/songwriter out of Nashville. He and his wife Debra, of the band The True Hearts, wrote two songs on the album.

“This project came along at a perfect time. It was just perfect. Everybody that contributed to the project just really gave it their all, nobody mailed it in. Every song is fantastic,” he said.

”Manzelle Marie” carries that Bo Diddley beat with another ebullient chorus. “Hey Hey” has an infectious reggae beat that keeps the song rolling steadily along until the chorus (Wow! they are good with those) rocks into another gear. “Let It Sing” is an ethereal folk song leading into “52nd Street” that rocks and shakes you with its jangling guitars. Hints of Petty, McMurtry…whatever it’s down and dirty and feels good. “Late July” features a memorable guitar pattern and offers some calm as does the piano ballad “Goodbye,” with Debra in the lead, giving the album its tender farewell.

“Won’t It Be Something” starts the album with warm rootsy rock that’s horn friendly, and “Sunshine And Violets” follows with a pretty duet of memorable folk-rock and an irresistible chorus. Elsewhere, banjo acrobatics infiltrate the upbeat “PFC Frankie Walker”, while “Mamzelle Marie” recruits spirited guitars for a retro-rocker that’s plenty frisky.

The summer season is upon us and you may already find yourself seeking just the right summer music mixtape to carry you through all the gatherings. With Songs For Spike, you’ve got a ready made party mix by the talented Truehearts.

“Songs For Spike” is an excellent slice of Americana from start to finish from The Truehearts. It’s full of clever, compelling stories, set over a quite varied menu of musical styles! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.

​This ten-track al​bum of all original material is off to a good start with the album opener “Won’t it be Something.” It’s got a slight retro feel which could be explained by a familiar descending chord progression that some critics compare to something by Merle Travis or the Kinks. It features Robert Gay (trumpet) and Diego Vasquez (trombone).

Americana that blows open the ears and doors so firmly you really won't know what to do with it. Transplanted to Nashville from DC, there's a boat load of singer/songwriter and folkie moves at it's core---but then they add the special sauce full of mash ups from all around the horn. Soulful white people that have been honing their chops for quite a while under various names, they really pull it together here making a set that makes you sit up and take notice. Well done. ​

One of the album's standout tracks, "Simple Life," is an honest look at the difficult choices we make in life - and the questions that accompany them.

Life partners and bandmates Debra Buonaccorsi and Steve McWilliams have been together as a couple for ten years and making music as The Truehearts for four years. The pair found themselves growing tired of careers in musical theatre with a project that took them to New York City.