October 9 2024
Granted, when it comes to truth in advertising, an album title often sets the standard. Yet while the handle of the band itself and, for that matter, the name of their current release, may suggest
Tornado Sky have some turbulent tendencies. In truth they’re more inclined to reflect on the
sweet serenity realized by their real life relationship. If judged by these meticulous melodies,
anything rough and wild is only the reflection glanced at in the couple’s combined rearview
mirror.
The duo — Stephanie Gladhart and Jerry Careaga — met by chance at a gig featuring Careaga’s
former band after Gladhart was encouraged to attend in the company of her roommate. As is
often the case, one thing led to another, and before long the pair bonded and began a relationship
that was both personal and professional. Moving to Nashville at the suggestion of famed
producer Jim Ed Norman after a series of record labels deals that fell flat, they eventually found
a glimmer of success after Careaga’s composition “Don’t Count The Rainy Days” began
climbing the charts after being recorded by Michael Martin Murphy. After five years in Music City, the couple returned to their original environs in Southern California and, at Carrara’s urging, began writing songs together.
The latest result of that collaboration, the aforementioned The Rough and the Wild, is a bountiful collection of graceful melodies, all of which exude the joy and satisfaction of a love affair that’s blossomed beyond measure. The sublime sentiments expressed in songs such as “Beautiful Now,” “Take Off Your Boots,” “So High,” “Drown In Your Love,” “Heartbroken,” and “Unconditionally” are unabashedly euphoric in tone and temperament. With the pair sharing lead
vocals and their effervescent harmonies, and given the support of an illustrious line-up of veteran
players — keyboardist Matt Rollings, drummer Aaron Sterling, guitarists Dave Levita and Dave
Cleveland, pedal steel player Rusty Danmyer, and Careaga himself multi-tasking on guitars,
bass, drums, keyboards, and overall production — the songs, cowritten by the duo themselves,
offer a wistful indication of the possibilities that can occur when love and longing ultimately
coalesce into a rich reality.
The songs reflect that sense of satisfaction throughout, as evidenced by the upbeat sentiments
shared in the title track, “Riding the Wave” and “Strong and Wild,” Happily then, The Rough
and the Wild emerges as an album flush with both hope and happenstance, a beacon of light for
anyone hoping to find some light on the horizon. The results make for a most soothing sojourn
after all.
Lee Zimmerman- is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. A former promotions representative for ABC and Capitol Records and director of communications for various CBS-affiliated television stations, he lives in Maryville, Tennessee.
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