"How Country" by Mark Allan Atwood. He has put his heart, soul and sprit into each lyric and musical cord in each song. The group of musicians that added their talent to this music cannot be forgotten. My favorites are the piano, by Uncle Mitch Connell and the 12-String Electric Guitar played by Mark. He proves he is not just another pretty face that can stand on a stage and sing a song. Close your eyes when you listen to “Oakalla Road” and it will take you back to that special memory of your hometown country road. The vocal range of “Hurricane Wind” will take your breath away and will make you think about that special someone who you have locked away in your heart. You will be singing along before the song is over, I promise. “Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde” is a Texas Country Rock N Roll Song that will have you jamming from the beginning to the end. There is no other song that compares. I broke a heel on a new pair of boots the first time I heard the song live. No joke! “God Bless Americans” is a lively tune that reminds us that it is not the color of our skins that makes of Americans. It is the freedom to live and play just the way we want to. There is a song on this CD for every mood that you happen to be in at the time. Give it a listen you will see what I am talking about. "How Country" do you want you’re Country Music? The answer, it’s all right here!! MARK ALLAN ATWOOD is a Musical Genius!

This is the much anticipated and talked about initial CD from a long time musician, and his first in a strong country vein. It features 10 original songs varying from tender ballads to full out rocking anthems plus one Kris Kristofferson cover. This is also not a CD full of the typical country cliches, either. Instead it is a fun, rollicking ride through the life of a professional musician who has a great sense of humor and can certainly laugh at himself. Mark Allan Atwood may have spent the better part of 20 years as a heavy metal rocker but his roots are definitely outlaw country and it is very evident both in his performance and style of writing. For a laugh, listen to the playful “Full of It” or the wistful “Gonna Kill My Guitar” and catch glimpses of a musician’s life on the road. “Lonely Highway” is sad, pensive, and haunting all at the same time, filled with the pain and solitude. “Oakalla Road” is a gem of a song about a tiny road out in the Texas Hill Country, and is just plain beautiful with a lilting lead guitar riff from Robert Johnson and the piano work of Uncle Mitch Connell. For a solid, rocking anthem, don’t miss “Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde” – a regular request at all of Mark’s shows and favorite of the fans. The musicians on this CD really make it stand out as an initial effort. You will find incredible, seamless lead guitar work from Robert Johnson (Robert Johnson’s Soul), Rhoades D’ablo (currently with the Mark Allan Atwood Band), Dennis Phillips (Redneck Jedi along with being the producer), Chris Reeves (john Arthur martinez as well as his own band), Tim Rozelle, as well as Mick McMillan and Wayne O’Neill. Keith Scroggins is solid on bass, with Johnny Reb Kelsey and Stephen Meyer providing a steady pulse on drums. Emmett Roch on dobro and pedal steel guitars and Dean Rimmer on banjo add elegant touches throughout the selections. You can’t ignore Mark’s harmonica playing, either. The only criticism I have of this release is that it feels a bit short. For once I am faced with not quite having enough of a meal, and I want more. I have heard lesser CDs from other Texas bands and felt satisfied after a few cuts. On this one, even though I have heard all of these songs from this band live, I wanted to hear more and will look forward to their next release as much as I have this one. The maturity and growth of this band has been amazing to listen to, and I want to see where they go next!