talent, I'll guarantee you every label in Nashville could go down there for a couple of months and find at least four or five entertainers." Walker also stated, "I'm a lot more influenced by Haggard than anyone else. I like those powerful ballads and two-steppin music. I love swing too, but it's probably that competition thing again." Walker told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in addition to Merle Haggard, "My influences were Hank Williams Sr., George Jones, and Charley Pride – the kind of country my dad liked, the kind I grew up on. I'm convinced traditional country music will come back more and more. After all it's the real thing. It's honest, and it's not just a sound, it's a way of life." Content "What's It to You" was previously recorded by Curtis Wright, its co-writer, on his 1992 self-titled debut. "Dreaming with My Eyes Open" was also featured in the soundtrack to the 1993 film The Thing Called Love. The final track, "I Don't Know How Love Starts", was co-written by Pirates of the Mississippi member Rich Alves and was also previously recorded by Wright on his 1992 Liberty album. Track listing Critical reception Geoffrey Hines of The Washington Post wrote, "The impressive debut album by Clint Black mastermind James Stroud, reveals a young man still casting about for his own style but nonetheless bringing a handsome, personal tenor and a sure rhythmic instinct to every song he tries. Offering a more promising for this youngster are the five songs he co-wrote himself; they boast the sort of lyric detail and musical build that bring out the best in his voice." Mary Jo DiLonardo of The Cincinnati Post gave the album three and a half stars out of five and wrote, "Already risking comparisons to Garth Brooks and Clint Black, Walker has a strong voice, rugged cowboy looks (a "must" for videos) and a good crop of songs." Joe Breen of The Irish Times said, "Best newcomer award goes to Clay Walker whose eponymous album sounds like it's worth checking out. Better value will be hard to find this year." Dave Molter of the Observer-Reporter gave the album two and a half stars and wrote, "Walker's voice is clear, if not distinctive and he has the kind of chiseled good looks that might me him rise above the heard." Mia Carlson of the Lewiston Morning Tribune gave the album a