River Bolt of Lightning

Press Reviews: “An 8 piece Houston group and one of the finest country and old time Rock n Roll bands in town…”

MUSIC NEWS – APRIL 1989 … An album I find myself turning to again and again. The seven guys’ collective name, Dr. Fry’s Texas Medicine Band, has a sense of humour to it and so do the ten original songs on ‘River Bolt Of Lightning’. Throughout the humour though, there is much for the dancers as well as the listeners, for these guys are a seriously talented group. The ‘Dr. Fry’ is in fact Clifford Fry, the principal songwriter, who shares lead vocals with one Darelyn Fry Jennings on such gems as ‘Only Car In Your Garage’, ‘Mr. Heavy’, ‘Fat Farm’,’Judy Lou’ and a live cut on ‘Texas Medicine’.

PETE SMITH’S ROCK PILE,COUNTRY MUSIC ROUNDUP – BRITAIN’S NUMBER ONE COUNTRY MUSIC NEWSPAPER, JANUARY, 2000 Good Medicine from the heart of Texas, October 1, 2001 Reviewer: Robert Edwards from Texas, man Dr. Fry’s Texas Medicine Band is the real thing. The songs remind you of sawdust floors and late nights. The sound is raw, rural and reminds me why Texans head our for dance hall music. This is not the slick country and western you could find on any radio station anywhere. This is pure, southern and original. The musicians are first rate. They are at their best in road songs. Two cds are reviewed here. Beginning with Texas Medicine the road songs really take off on 18 Wheels Fast Rollin and Spokane to Pullman ( somebody’s done some traveling). But the band has a flair for the two step, old fashion love songs also with soft pedal steel and fiddles blending nicely to Clifford Fry’s tenor and well mixed acoustic guitar. There’s a bit of folly with Them Rabbits and one gets the feeling that this band is one Helluva live act. The same festive atmosphere abounds on River Bolt of Lightening. The arrangements are just as competent and the writing by Clifford Fry and Douglas Sharp is solid. Again, the Medicine Band seems at it’s best with up tempo humor such as The Only Car in Your Garage, Fat Farm and Texas Medicine – Live . The band can also rock with great lead guitar mixed well and solid vocals. Note the guitar driven You’ll Never Find Another Like Me. This is definitely not corporate country. Dr. Fry’s Medicine Band is the kind of fun you’ll have with the pick up windows down heading out for the heart of a Saturday night looking for some Texas medicine – music and dancing and a cold one. This is a great CD!!, December 30, 2001 Reviewer: Patsy from College Station, TX USA The more I listen to these songs, the more I like them. ‘Only Car In Your Garage’ and ‘Judy Lou’ are fun love (and fun-lovin’) songs with catchy tunes. And, ‘Fat Farm’ is a must for anyone who has ever battled the buldge. Dr. Fry’s medicine is for the soul…see if he can’t put a smile on your face!!