Lubbock-based Brandon Adams — with his deep musical roots as well as a spectrum of inspirations — stands out within the current Texas young country boom.

The self-titled debut album on the Melodic Undertone label by Adams and his band, The Sad Bastards, is slated for Jan. 18, 2011. It brims with the crackle of promise and Adams’ distinctive take on country music that draws from the genre’s legacy and more to create something vital for today.

The new album features Adams’ don’t-fence-me-into-a-genre originals, tracks about life, love, hate, loneliness and drinkin’ — in styles from rock to Southern rock to country.

Country music and songwriting is an Adams family tradition. His father and uncle both played guitar; he grew up hearing Ray Price, Johnny Bush and other Texas icons and later fell under the sway of George Strait, Alabama and Don Williams as well as artists from across the stylistic gamut such as Drive By Truckers and Whiskeytown.

A guitar his uncle gave him led Adams to begin making music while at Texas Tech. From song swaps and sing-along parties with friends, he quickly progressed to playing a local club with a friend as a duo and fronting a popular band in the Panhandle region

After a stint working as a golf pro in Central Texas, Adams returned to Lubbock determined to write songs that reflect his own musical personality. For 10 years, he’s been playing acoustic songwriters shows, at the same time hosting a songwriter showcase at Lubbock’s Blue Light, where he has cultivated more than 60 original writers to play and compete for shows, money, radio spins, and even the opening slot at the Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival.

Adams says the name of his band springs from his ability to write only sad songs. If he had to describe their music, he said, he’d call it West Texas Original Country.

It’s not just country music that drives what Adams writes, sings and plays. “I pretty much listen to everything,” he says. “I take bits and pieces from music I listen to, which ranges everywhere from Top 40 country radio to jazz/funk.” He’s written songs with his father and best friend, and he is working on one inspired by notes from his late grandmother.

Now he stands ready to take what he does far and wide. “I will play anytime, anywhere for anyone who wants to listen,” he says. “I love playing music so much. I just really want to be myself, let the songs speak for themselves and hope people like it.”