The Last Chance Riders. That is a cool sounding band name. Yet you should not read too much into it. While it could give the impression of a group tiredly heaving up a final Hail Mary pass, hoping for a miraculous win, this Atlanta quintet is coming out of the gate strong with a string of impressive live shows and a new album.

Everyone loves a comeback story and Carol Albert is just that. She has been a part of the Atlanta jazz music scene on and off for the past 25 years, but with her new album she is seeing renewed success.

For as long as she can remember, Ashley Rivera wanted to be a singer. When she was in pre-school, she recalls her teacher, Miss Angela, asking what she wanted to be and she said “a singer” and Miss Angela and the kids clapped for her and she knew it was possible.

Ashley looks like a rock star – dark hair, slight figure, mesmerizing eyes. The first time I saw Ashley sing, she was the front for a cover band and was all of 23 years old; her soulful and yet rocking voice and stage presence went far beyond her years. She has spent a number of years singing with cover bands and doing studio work in Nashville and Atlanta, but her heart is for her original music.

Katie Martin released a new album Hope this past Valentine’s Day and you should listen to it.  For anyone who has followed her, the record is all you could hope for (no pun intended): the melodies, the lyrics, the vocal delivery, the production are all a linear step forward from her previous releases, but the unique core of her initial ear-grabbing artistry, the voice that can convey a wide range of emotions, are all still there.