Ah, the Champagne toast – the universal affirmation of happiness and approval and all good wishes. Well, perhaps not for Michelle Billingsley who is in a much more ironic mood as she makes the traditional gesture “in my hand is a champagne stem to toast your new lover, and her perfect gentleman” adding, somewhat bitterly, “guess she don’t know you that well yet.” Yes, it may all be over, but that doesn’t mean that Michelle Billingsley is completely over it.
‘Champagne Toast’ is taken from Michelle Billingsley’s second album ‘Both Sides of Lonely‘ which sees her move in a different direction. Her debut release was a well received folky troubadour album, now she is embracing a more traditional, and in particular honky-tonking, country sound saying “I’ve got a whole new sound, a new record, my voice is stronger than ever. I’ve got a ring on my finger. I’ve got a dog now. And my band and I have really grown with this album. It’s useful as a roadmap going forward—this is the sound; this is where we’re headed.”
