I ended up in Luckenbach one night...there were three old men sitting and listening to two pickers...the McKay Brothers. I quietly entered, orderd a beer and listened. I bought the CD...and haven't taken it out of my CD player in 6 weeks. I LOVE IT.

I caught the McKay Brothers in Dallas at Adairs last Friday, I had never heard of them before, but I love their sound! I bought a CD and I've been listening to it all week...it only gets better :) The tunes are catchy and the lyrics are clever. I'm not usually a country music fan, but I like everything about these guys - and they put on one hell of a show! The best thing about Noel and Hollin is that they seem genuine: they seem to really enjoy playing the music as much as the audience loves listening.

I saw these two guys' about five years ago...no doubt the most down to earth brothers you will ever meet..their music is not strictly for the ears but for the head,heart and soul...if you are ever near where they play don't... blow it!!!

The McKay brothers are great.

Wow! I saw the McKay brothers in College Station a few weeks ago when my boys Jeff and Ben reunited for one show as the opening act. Great times! Good nite all around. I really enjoy the MB's fusion of Tex and Mex.

I feel as if I have a personal relationship with Noel and Hollin McKay. Not that we hang out or anything like that, but every time I go to a McKay Brothers show, I feel like I have just spent a couple of hours with two old friends. That’s how their music strikes me. The first time I saw them perform, they were the opening act at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas, and I went up to them afterward and told them that they were by far the best opening act I had ever seen. And I meant it. Therefore, it was with great anticipation that I opened Cold Beer & Hot Tamales, the McKays' followup to their eponymous 2003 debut. The record starts out with the upbeat "Lock and Key," a song about living a rock-and-roll life, moves into a really catchy tune, "Port Artúr," then flows enjoyably into the tongue-in-cheek "Making License Plates." At this point, I had to look at the insert to see who produced the album -- the guitar work really stood out, right from the CD's opening chord. Darn if it wasn't super producer Lloyd Maines, who also plays on just about every track. There's not enough room here to do a track-by-track rundown, but I do want to point out the song "Acompañeme,” beautifully written and performed in Spanish and English. The song may be more at home in a wine bar than a dancehall, but its inclusion on this record seems nonetheless quite fitting. "Bandera Style” is one of those perfect country songs about a regular guy who drinks too much, has relationship problems, but still has his dog. It features a cool chorus, where one line changes each time through. The record's second-to-last song (that's the "penultimate" song, for those who would like a word of the day), "Silicone Baby," is about a guy who gets his wife a boobjob, at her request, and now all the other guys are paying more attention to her. It's a cool song with a nice beat, and I actually knew a guy this happened to. His wife became a stripper, I mean, "exotic dancer." (By the way, Hollin, nobody cared if they were real or not.) The record closes with a great song, perhaps my favorite, "The Disappearing Texas." It’s a good ole Texas country song with a serious message about how so much of Texas's natural beauty and charm is being destroyed for "a couple extra dollars in the bank." I hope this song becomes a single at some point, because it will strike a chord with a lot of people nationwide. Overall, Cold Beer & Hot Tamales is a beautiful and entertaining record with varying musical styles that allow the brothers to shine both as individuals and as the dynamic team they are. I can't wait to get to a McKay Brothers show so I can hear the songs live, and I hope to see you there, so we can both spend a couple of hours with two old friends.

Acompañeme, on their new CD touched me like nothing else has in a long time. It is so full of heart and soul. Beautiful.

My wife and I just happened to catch the McKay Brothers at Scenic Loop Cafe. We were blown away! These guys are fantastic musicians and their sound is a unique Tex-Mex country. We love it. We bought their CD after the show and we listen to it all the time. It never gets old. Unfortunately, we have moved out of state and don't get to see them live as much as we used to. However, we try and catch their shows whenever we come back home to Texas. Still waiting for the next CD!!!

I saw them at the Gruene Dance Hall and bought this CD after the show was over. I was blown away! Kind of remined me of OLD TIMEY MUSIC It really was a great show. Can't wait to buy thier next album. I would like to give them a 10 star ratind!!!

I get down to Texas a couple times a year and caught these bros live at the triple crown in san marcos the last few trips...they are great, great songs, great brother harmonies, great musicianship, great stage show and good guys...their cd is a classic. can't wait for the next one...don't miss these brothers when they come to your town..