Review by Amy Blizzard

For nearly a decade Kennett, Missouri native David Nail has been trying to make a memorable mark on the country music scene. After years of tough breaks in the recording industry and hard work, he achieved his goal when the single 'Red Light' became a top ten hit in November of last year. Now, Nail is attempting parlay that success into 2010 with a schedule of lengthy tour dates and the release of another song into radio circulation.

The third single from his debut album 'I'm About to Come Alive' on MCA Nashville, 'Turning Home' was

David Nail's Turning Home

penned by Scooter Carusoe and country superstar Kenny Chesney. As expected from the title, the tune is littered with imagery of a small town a former resident views while he passes through. Nail mentions the traditional Mom and Pop store fronts, minimal streets lights and rusty gas pumps.

For the most part, 'Turning Home' acts as a musical yearbooks of sorts, with Nail reflecting on memories from his glory days with high school friends that him keep him coming back home that were filled with football games on autumn nights and evenings that were spent tailgating. Two verses are dedicated to young love and the young woman who most frequently crosses his mind when he thinks of home and the school dances they spent wrapped in each other's arms, the nerve-racking first time they made love and the graduation day that separated them.

With the subject matter and use of a droning steel guitar, 'Turning Home' easily fits into the country music mold, but David Nail's natural soulful and bluesy lilt provides an interesting contrast to the mid-tempo. However, an abrupt instrumental section with an abnormally long guitar solo for a radio release in the middle of the song, even though it is well performed, acts as a distraction and draws attention away from his solid vocal performance.

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David Nail "Turning Home" Lyrics

Usually take one last pass through town
Stop the car and touch the ground
Watch those streetlights swaying in the breeze
Decorated store fronts
Rusty old gas pumps
Try to fill my mind up
With something before I go
Picture postcard memories
You know they always make for good company

I don’t know no town
Like the old town
Even when the miles are many
I feel like I’m still around
Deep inside me
Like rings through an oak tree
Yeah, there something ‘bout a Sunday when I’m gone
That keeps me turning home

I’m standing here beneath these billboard lights
Takes me back to those autumn nights
Hometown bleachers packed real tight
As we marched down the field
My feet would swing from a dropped tailgate
Out on Airport Road real late
No one could walk a line too straight
We usually made it home alright
And glory days I cant re-live
Stories I’ll never forget

And I don’t know no friends
Like the old friends
I never seem to laugh now
Like I did with them
But deep inside me
A piece of history
Yeah, I hear their voices even though they’re gone
And it keeps me turning home

Never twice the same way does it start
And sure enough she stole my heart
On the old gym floor, spinning round and round one night
And though we both tried hard to wait
We sure did love the taste
Of the sweet love being made and praying I got it right
Graduation came and went
Along with all the time we spent

And I don’t know no love
Like the first love
When I think about the best times
She’s the one I think of
Deep inside me
All though the taste is bittersweet
I see her smiling even though she’s gone
And it keeps me turning home, yeah
And it keeps me turning home