Photo Credit: Reid Rolls
By Bob Doerschuk
© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
When two artists, already wise to the ways of the Country Music world, form a duo, the result can be more varied than what you often get from sibling pairs.
When the twosome is Kristy Osmunson and Jon Stone, it can also be close to magic.
They have plenty in common. Both are American and, though well established in Nashville, young. Stone’s writing credits include “Me and My Gang” for Rascal Flatts, “A Woman Like You” for Lee Brice and “It Ain’t Yours to Throw Away” for fictitious superstar Gunnar Scott on “Nashville.” Osmunson sizzled on fiddle with another duo, Bomshel.
On June 24, Curb Records released their first digital EP, whose six tracks bubble with their chemistry and daringly defy convention. Their first single, “Love Is War” (written by Billy Montana, Kylie Sackley and Jonathan Singleton), eschews slamming backbeats and hillbilly swagger for simple, quiet harmonies and unisons over delicate, lutelike plucks and an almost evanescent drum part. Each takes a turn in the spotlight — Stone with tangible urgency on “Wasn’t Gonna Drink Tonight” (Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Stone), Osmunson with muted desperation on “God Sends a Train.”
Expect American Young to be making music this memorable well into adulthood.
For more on American Young, visit www.CMACloseUp.com.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND
OSMUNSON: “The Do’s and Don’ts of Twerking.”
STONE: “Touring for Dummies.”
PET PEEVE
OSMUNSON: “Jon.”
STONE: “I don’t have a pet. I travel too much.”
FAVORITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
OSMUNSON: “Horse.”
STONE: “Teleportation – anything besides the back of a cop car.”
TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OSMUNSON: “Eat Dessert First.”
STONE: “Confusion Gets You Far in Life.”
FAVORITE FOOD ON THE ROAD
OSMUNSON: “Carrot juice and veggies – I’m pretty much a rabbit.”
STONE: “Anything local.”
SOMETHING WE’D NEVER GUESS ABOUT YOU
OSMUNSON: “I’m not really blond.”
STONE: “I can read.”
On the Web: www.AmericanYoung.com
On Twitter: @American_Young
