Acklen in Jackson

I went to the second concert of the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Tractors in Jackson, Mo. I recently wrote a feature for the Southeast Missourian newspaper on the band Acklen, which was formed by 2010 Jackson graduate Casey Benefield who is now studying at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. I went a got dinner at the all-American, hometown restaurant and was surrounded by people who seemed at ease and happy listening to Benefield and his band.

I myself sing and have performed and loved music for as long as I can remember and am often told that I am too critical. But Acklen left me with nothing bad to say; I didn't hear a single note missed in the harmony of Benefield and bandmate Kyle Burnside or in their guitar playing. They played with so much passion for their music and looked like they were having so much fun, playing songs from their new album Postcards as well as some covers to which the crowd at the restaurant sang along.

The music was from a native of this small town, but the talent in this group far exceeds the expectations that might come along with saying that. Acklen's charm combined with their skill in performing live made me as impressed with them as a band as I already was with their album. Find Postcards on iTunes or check out the band at AcklenMusic.com.