Cherryholmes’ Sweet Sounds Keep Flowing

Cherryholmes hadn't even taken the stage at Nashville's Station Inn last weekend when organizers were turning fans away at the door and posting 'Sold Out' signs.

Once inside the club, it was obvious this wasn't a casual show. Ticketholders were directed to specific seats lined against the back wall or at tables in the main area as Cherryholmes' six members maneuvered their musical equipment -- including an upright bass -- onto the small stage. Although the band's been touring behind their latest release, 'Cherryholmes IV: Common Threads,' the songs they played from that and other albums was as fresh and vibrant as brand new tunes.

"There is a difference for us with this album," Cia tells The Boot about the family band's fourth album. "With every record we have put out we have grown because we started so young ... Now we're at a stage where everyone is grown, and there is a different writing perspective for everybody. In a sense, this is a more mature record for us. We tried really hard to say something that meant something."

Not that the past efforts of the band -- parents Jere and Sandy and their offspring Cia, 26, Molly, 18, B.J. 21 and Skip 20 – didn't receive popular or critical acclaim for their last albums. They have four Grammy nominations for their music. Yet the band has matured so much since its 'Cherryholmes III: Don't Believe' was released in 2008, it seems difficult to imagine they aren't on the Grammy track now.

One listen to the song 'Weaver of Lies,' written by Cia, shows that. Not only was the song beautifully played but Cia's voice made it sound as if she had the world-weary experiences of someone much older, although she's incredibly modest about her talent.

"The art of being a singer is to try even if you haven't felt what you're singing about to sing it in a way that makes people think you have," she says. "You get that just from watching other people."

What is startling about Cherryholmes' songs is that there are extremely few that don't evoke lush emotions whether they're heartbreaking such as Cia's song, 'This Is My Son,' or pound-on-the-dashboard fun like 'Live It,' written by Molly.

What really brings the music alive, though, is arguably the brilliant playing of each member -- with standouts by B.J. on mandolin and Skip on guitar, and Molly on violin -- that brought their Station Inn audience to wild, mid-song applause on more than one occasion.

"We have an interesting dynamic when it comes to songwriting and performing," Skips tells The Boot. "We will tell each other if we think someone is lacking or slacking off or needs a little work here or there. We will be honest ... because we want everything to be the best it can be."

Cherryholmes will play the Grand Ole Opry on September 21, followed by a September 25 performance in Lexington, Ky. For a complete list of dates and cities, check here.