Singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Ethan Messick (Coming Home – 6/7) is a pretty interesting guy. After asking him, point blank, whether his goal was to sign a recording contract with one of the big boys, he told me he would first have to question their sanity, but at the same time, ask “where do I sign?”.

Give yourself some credit, Mike Ethan. Your debut CD, “Bootlegger’s Turn”, is something to be proud of.

There is something about this CD that has carved a niche for Mike Ethan in the Texas Music genre. It’s immediately evident from the opening track, “American Steel” all the way to track 12, “Raven” that he draws from his influences growing up in a home that embraced the Outlaws of the ‘70’s, but whips it to the present with a definite Red Dirt delivery. Add to it some hometown Springsteen/Mellencamp Pop-Rock flavor, and a touch of Americana-Folk, and you have Mike Ethan Messick.

It may seem like Bootlegger’s Turn can be made out to be a little sloppy. But it’s not. Not even close. Messick went out and put together a band that plays like they have known each other all their lives. Bandmates Aaron Holt and Stormy Cooper produced the CD, and I don’t think their effort can be improved upon.

When I think of a debut CD, my first assumption is that it will be good, diverse songs (likely the best songs the artist has written over several years), but the music tends to be shallow and one-dimensional, and by the middle of the CD, my attention will be lost. This one breaks the mold. Bootlegger’s Turn has passed over the immature stage and moved Mike Ethan Messick into a position to accumulate fans, and to make music critics take notice. Texas radio has plenty to choose from here as well.

Just imagine what could happen if Mike Ethan actually manages to improve on Bootlegger’s Turn.

I often get borderline obsessed with specific artists. Sometimes it's an established musician or band that, all of a sudden, clicks with me. Maybe I catch a lyric that makes me realize the deeper meaning of a song I've listened to a hundred times. Other times, it's more like an enlightenment.

Brennen Leigh falls under that last category. When I first listened to her CD (she calls it "The Blue CD") Devil's On My Trail, I came to the immediate understanding that I liked Brennen's music. I have seen her perform twice in front of a very modest, attentive, listening room crowd where her talent has shined. There is a definite connection with Brennen Leigh and her music, and it is clear with her stage performance. Like A Freight Train has been the song I've been playing the most, but there is so much more to this CD. Maybe it's her ability to deliver a classic sound with a breath of fresh air. Maybe it's her casual confidence on stage, during an interview, and on her recordings. I don't know exactly what it is (likely a combination of all that), but there's something very cool about Brennen Leigh. I encourage anyone to give her a listen and judge for yourself.

One of my last comments to her in my interview with her (Coming Home 5/24 show) was that I can't wait for more. Brennen says she's got songs ready and is close to working out her schedule so she can spend time in the studio.

I'm a patient person, and she says she may be working on a new project this summer. Possibly by the end of the year. Hopefully soon.

I've been somewhat fascinated lately with the Houston music scene. It's unexplainable, but I've always been a sucker for the underdog. Rich in history, yet widely ignored by local media, Houston-based musicians are a breed apart from Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and other thriving scenes.

In recent months, the artists I've talked to have made a name for themselves as thoughtful songwriters, melodic musicians, and some of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of speaking with.

The May 10th show, featuring TMA Song Of The Year winner Mark Zeus was particular enlightening. Zeus shed some light on the fact that H.A.A.M. (Houston Association of Acoustic Musicians) and other organizations give performers the opportunity to promote their material, but there is a definite void within mainstream media that doesn't allow a lot of exposure outside the Greater Houston area.

They are shut out from the rest of the world. One of the largest cities in the United States is reliant on its own population to create opportunities for its own.

The fact is, a trip to Houston for the music would not be a waste of time by any stretch. The city has something for everyone, from rock, to rap, to folk, and everything in-between. The Texas Music Awards nominated more artists from the Houston area than any other region in the state. The talent is there, and they want you to know about them. Zeus, Brian Kalinek (appearing on the 5/17 show), The Hanshaws (4/12), Robert Frith (3/8) and numerous other talented artists are fighting the good fight to let people know that Houston-based music is brimming with talent. MyTexasMusic.com has much of the music, so if you don't believe me, check it out. Listen and give these artists a chance to prove themselves to you.

The Texas Music Awards came and went, and it was an absolute thrill to be a part of this great event. Here's a quick snapshot from my perspective...

I was a rookie who somehow got to stand on the red carpet and interview every nominee who walked by, and ask whatever silly, fluff question I could think of on a moment's notice. I have interviewed most of the nominees over the phone, but only met a couple of them in person. Come to find out, they're as cool and nice in person as they are over the phone.

I was allowed to be part of the actual awards ceremony and tell everyone to come to the after party (sponsored by the local beer distributor, which drew applause), then introduce funnyman Richard Bowden. Hanging out backstage, shooting the bull with the likes of Gary P. Nunn (Host), and Lucky and Jinelle (Masterminds), and several of the performers from the first half of the show was just icing on the cake.

Then, I changed out of my suit and hosted the after-party, complete with the task of introducing the five bands nominated for Live Band of the Year. I had become a fan of all of these bands - the music and the musicians - so forgive me if I was a little more giddy than I should have acted.

In my broadcasting career, I have given dozens of prepared speeches (some more prepared than others), I have introduced countless bands, and have had the privilege of meeting many a talented musician. But the Texas Music Awards was something completely different, and something more special than I imagined it would be.

That's an overview. Many of the details can't be shared in the interest of industry secrets as well as the reputations of those involved. I will, however, tell you that MyTexasMusic.com has an exceptional pool of talented Texas music artists. The musical history of Austin, Houston, Ft. Worth and all points in between is very much intact, and the future is incredibly bright!

I've been excited about the Texas Music Awards coming so close to home (no pun intended) in Palestine since I found out in January. So much so, that I immediately asked, "What can I do to help?". That question resulted in the show/podcast/website we all know as Coming Home.

It's been an educational experience, an incredible challenge, and something I have truly embraced and loved since the concept of the show began. Coming Home has been a lot of hard work, late nights, early mornings, and something I am very happy to make happen every Saturday morning.

Now I feel as though Lucky and Jinelle are rewarding me, so to speak, for my efforts. They have asked me to participate in the TMA's After-Party May 3rd! I'm not a complete dumba--, so I accepted the invitation, and now I have the privilege of introducing the five bands nominated in the Entertainer Of The Year category as they take the stage to perform.

Hope to see you there!

-Dave

Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy radio and love my job as a program director (for the most part). But I've found a way to take a break, and apply it to my current job. When I think of it, I'm a damn lucky person.

Over the past couple months, I've conceptualized, directed, produced, and hosted a show called "Coming Home". It's a 1-hour show about a very important branch of Texas music. I interview independent artists. Many of whom not only record and perform their music, they also book their own shows, call radio stations to beg for airtime, pump their own gas in their own tour trucks, create album art, often produce their own (or each other's) cd's, and love doing it. All the while, a large percentage of them work what they call "real jobs".

Imagine if everyone did what Tim Fralik does. He accomplishes all of the above, and still works for his brother-in-law doing manual labor during the week.

After spending years on tour with nationally recognized acts, Tim made the mistake of trying to promote his first solo cd all by himself for five years before deciding he needed to make another disc and get some help "getting it out there". Not only is he maturing as a musician, but he's learning every aspect of the music industry in order to do it on his own terms. I am amazed and impressed with his love of music, his respect for the industry, and his ability to continue plugging away, trying to get as big a piece of the pie as his work ethic and talent will give him.

Tim is just one of a thousand stories just like this in Texas. They didn't have the youthful dream of being a band manager, or a producer, or a traveling secretary. The dream included making music and sharing it with anyone - everyone - who cared to listen.

Tim grew up loving Gary Stewart and Waylon Jennings, among others. For others in the same situation, the influences vary from artist to artist, but the passion is nearly identical. The desire and willingness to do what it takes to share a passion is shared as well. I don't like some of the music I've been listening to over the past couple of months, but I don't have to in order to be a fan of the artist.

I guess what I'm saying is, I needed to find people who were passionate about their work to remind me of my own passion for mine. When I spend time with independent artists, I feel like I'm fighting back, feeding off the excitement that the music brings to these musicians and recharging my own excitement at the same time.

I am damn lucky.