Surrender Hill - Wild Country (2026)

This is Surrender Hill’s 7th set as they continue their interesting lived-in songs, personal stories, with incisive themes, harmonies, & quite a departure from previous musical incarnations. Robin Dean Salmon (former See No Evil) & his wife Afton Seekins Salmon (vocals/bgv) craft a showcase their press release sums up eloquently: the road is long, the heart is open, & the music they make together feels like coming home.

There are 15 soulful rootsy/country paths to this Wild Country (Drops August 7/Blue Betty Records/64:55) produced by Mr. Salmon in Georgia. “Wild Country” starts with Robin (bass/acoustic & electric guitars/organ/vocals/bgv) singing music that’s down-home rural. There are fiddles the late John Hartford would’ve grinned through happily. It’s not retro but does have a vintage musical setting wrapped tight in a traditional manner.

Afton’s vocal comes along with “Beyond the Break” & when the duo sings together, they’re from the school of Clive Gregson & Christine Collister, Richard & Mimi Farina, & Golden-Carillo (“A Fire In Newtown”). This is a rendezvous point when 2 voices come together to create a singular vocal alchemy. Some tunes have a thread of contemporary country, shy of mainstream, but Robin & Afton carefully negotiate that path & keep their material relatively creative & on point. Their creative themes have vitality. It’s country music with a jab of rock guitar without overstepping boundaries. Robin’s rootsier vocal style borders where the late Robert Hazard was going (“The Seventh Lake,” “Blue Mountain” & “Troubadour”) & that’s a compliment.

Together they duet warmly & poignantly on “The Otherside” & “Are You Thinking of Me?” This is their signature approach – & they sound like no one but Robin & Afton. Afton’s voice is as attractive as Emmylou Harris with a little of Ray Tanner’s flugelhorn — a nice touch. These are both excellent songs. While “Love Won’t Come Running” comes on like a lost Dolly Parton song, Afton’s vocal is wonderfully full of Grand Ole Opry quality. Is she good? Absolutely.

Robin Dean Salmon made the transition from rock singer to country crooner with folk tints, rootsy range, & expressive Americana timbre. “Witness” has bellowing deep fiddles, good lead guitar & Robin’s vocal fortitude. Sophisticated. There’s lots of ingenuity in their tunes & Afton shines on “Love For the Work,” her style cruising through ‘60s country-pop voices like Sandy Posey (“I Take It Back” “Single Girl”). & Sue Thompson (“Paper Tiger”).