Regarding the claim that the vocal is not a good fit for you because you normally have a more energetic style:
the song MORE THAN WORDS was a major departure from the bands energetic style, but it turned out to be one of their most popular (read "lucrative") songs
I repeat all the kudos, but one comment (not necessarily a criticism) is that your signature riff may not be distinctive enough. In other words, it sounds like the signature riff from another country song, but I can't think of what it is at the moment.
Beautiful tone on that guitar by the way.
Thanks Pat. I appreciate that! 'Energy' may mean something else to me as Gary used a wide range in that tune and I am at my lowest / weakest range through the whole song here. Still I appreciate your point.
Not signature enough' for who I wonder? Pop radio? LOL. Perhaps. If it does sound like another tune, feel free to post it I would like to hear it though it may sound like many tunes. Either way it is likely I have never heard it consciously as I listen to so little music (other than for guitar learning) and I don't watch TV other than the occasional YT video. It took me 12 hours at least to write out/work out that simple guitar theme as it were.

Cheers!