Behind This Guitar

Produced by Tony Brown, this set forgoes pop flash in favor of genuinely gallant country songwriting. Untouched by the harsh glare of fame, Mo Pitney retains an “aw-shucks” charm, especially on the openly starstruck “I Met Merle Haggard Today.” Pitney may still be more fan than star, but his gentle, easygoing phrasing and unpretentious lyrics bring the glitzed-out country scene a breath of crisp air.