Currently working as the bassist in the long-running Poco, Sundrud has a storied history of writing terrific songs that have turned into hits for many other artists. One of the founders of the highly underrated band Great Plains, Sundrud, along with the equally talented Craig Bickhardt, co-wrote It Must Be Love, which country star Ty Herndon took to number one on the country charts. Now, he’s turned his eye back toward his interpretations of his own work, and the results are incredible.

Aided by a virtual who’s who of Nashville talent, including fellow Poco members Rusty Young and Paul Cotton, the magnificent singers Helen Darling and Michael Kelsh, the multi-talented writer, arranger and player Bickhardt and a host of others, Sundrud has crafted a beautiful, emotional song cycle.

And, despite his obvious talents as a songwriter and arranger, Sundrud’s secret weapon is clearly his voice. He’s got that unique sound and delivery that immediately brings a lump to the throat and emotion to the heart of every listener. Very, very few singers have that, and he does, in spades. If there’s any question about that, just have a listen to the remarkable Father’s Day, which he occasionally plays in acoustic settings with Poco, Modern Day Blacksmith, Heartland Train, and Hard Country, just a few of the great songs on this album.

You want deep, heartfelt music, played and sung from the soul? Then, run out and buy this outstanding release.

Jack Sundrud has paid his dues as one of Nashville’s most respected tunesmiths and working musicians. His writing abilities have previously garnered him success with songs like "Homeland" (named Farm Song of the year 1996 by The Farm Journal). He also scored a number one country hit when Ty Herndon released a version of "It Must Be Love," a co-write with Craig Bickhardt back in 1998.

Jack currently holds down the bass, harmony vocals and songwriting role within the venerable Poco, though he previously cut his teeth with a pair of albums for nineties outfit Great Plains.

What strikes me most about "By My Own Hand" is how much Sundrud has grown as a songwriter and performer, allied with his technical and production abilities. His gritty, though tuneful voice isn’t dissimilar to Don Henley’s and he has a gift for conveying his lyrics in a wholly believable fashion.

Opening number, "Hard Country," with it’s pleasant acoustic guitar, surprising organ fills and plaintive vocals is a knockout and lays out the farmers dilemma; love for the land versus the need to make a living: ‘The price of fuel went up, corn went down and I don’t think we’ll be seein’ Bobby again’. "Father’s Day," co-written with friends Craig Bickhardt and Helen Darling also hits the spot. A touching tale about an annual visit to celebrate the ‘finest man I’ve ever known’. He avoids sentimentality but hits the mark: ‘I bought a tie he won’t wear, a silly card to make him laugh’.

Other highlights include the Poco styled mandolin driven "Taste for Life," with Rusty Young’s fine dobro, while "Soul Searching" and "Noonday Sun" reveal the rocking side of Sundrud’s writing. "Modern Day Blacksmith" examines the loss of traditional crafts and harks back to a more innocent time with Jack playing some very tasteful acoustic guitar.

The title song, "By My Own Hand," with its contemporary feel suggests this music could appeal to mainstream music buyers besides a more niche country-rock format. Every musician has influences and bands they admire. Jack Sundrud is no different; in his case it is clearly the Beatles. The closing "Living My Dream" is a really moving tribute to the ‘Fab Four’ and how he was inspired to make his life in music: ‘I had a dream the other night, I was out front running lights for the Beatles’.

Jack Sundrud is characteristically modest about his music, as he says in the liner notes: ‘This thing is a gift to myself, really, to mark the fact that I’ve somehow managed to stay afloat with music …’

Highly recommended!

You’ll recall Sundrud as the lead singer of Great Plains in the ‘90s. For that matter, producer Pahl was also a member. Anyway, the singing is super soulful on this lead-off track to a CD titled By My Own Hand. The song has a melody-drenched chorus with a hard-times lyric that is impossible not to love. Toward the end, Helen Darling turns up with some dandy backup vocalizing. Other notable guests on the CD include Craig Bickhardt, John Mock, Billy Livesy and Poco’s Rusty Young and Paul Cotton.