Owen is following in the line of other Great Texas Singer / Songwriters. I highly recommend Owen.

This is the first cd from these "boys for Oklahoma" A monicker being used to refer to bands out of their hometown of Stillwater, Oklahoma(also including The Great Divide, Red Dirt Rangers and Cross Canadian Ragweed). The band on this album, with the help of Lloyd Maines, sound like they've been doing this awhile with fantastic lead guitar work by Roger Ray and solid-as-a-rock rhythym section. Boland's insight and quality songwriter ability really show through on "Backslider Blues" "Telephone Romeo" and my favorite "Somewhere Down in Texas"(on which "Texas Sweetheart" Terri Hendrix appears). His lightheartedness makes "The Drinking Song" "No Damn Good" and the title cut "Pearl Snaps" all toe-tapping, beer drinking good times. A very fine cd in the tradition of Robert Earl Keen from these young "Boys from Oklahoma".

Al is a hidden Hill Country Treasure. He has been around for years and everyone in the Hill Country loves "Barlow". Years ago, he did song swaps at Cheatham Street with Todd Snider and Terri Hendrix when they were just getting started.

Places in betwen takes you on a musical journey that you don't want to miss!

Great CD!

If you're familiar with country-rocker Jack Ingram, you probably already have this disc and don't need much convincin'. For the rest of you, a little background is in order. Ingram taught himself how to play some Willie Nelson songs at the age of 18 while earning a psychology degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He soon landed himself a gig at a local honky-tonk called Adair's, and after a year of roof-raising Tuesday nights, he was the talk of the town (his third album was recorded at the roadhouse in 1995). The qualities that tickled Ingram's initial audience are stronger than ever on this fifth outing. The singer's work is rooted in Texas songwriters Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen and particularly Steve Earle (who produced 1997's Livin' or Dyin'). His raucous tunes are glamour-free vignettes packed with details. This new batch, some of them co-written with fellow mavericks Jim Lauderdale and Todd Snider, includes a handful of rollicking ain't-love-grand songs, a reckless tale of revenge ("Mustang Burn"), and a classic scene-setting opening line: "We've got to fight just to find something to talk about." But it's not all toe-tapping sport. Ingram also pens a smoldering letter to a dad who forsakes his family "for the fun down in Biloxi," and a heart-rending portrait of "Inna from Mexico," whose friends back home aren't quite clued in regarding the true cost of freedom. Whatever the mood, Ingram's well-oiled group, the Beat Up Ford Band, provides a comfy ride for his gritty, gleeful voice - together, they bump along real nice. "Hey you/Are you listening to me," he sings on the Buddy Holly-ish title track. You should be. Lend an ear. LOU PAPINEAU

Newcomer Jack Ingram made waves with the critics and fans on his 1997 debut Livin' Or Dyin'. Now Ingram's back with another collection of tunes informed by his wide array of respectable country influences. This Texan has been working his ass off for a number of years touring and trying to gain recognition in a genre that is becoming increasingly watered down and, well, lame. Ingram is trying to raise the flag of good country, and he's doing a fine job. Ingram and his band have found the perfect mixture of honky-tonk country and the few rock elements that inform the style. Listen to "Barbie Doll." There's a tinge of growl in his usually tempered vocal delivery. The band jukes it up and you can almost see some guys on a chicken wire protected stage just getting down. Let's not overlook the in your face lyrics that go along with it. "Mustang Burn" lets the band find a easy yet propelling groove while Ingram tells a tale of watching a friend's car go up in flames. The irony and humor are almost lost in the way that the tune ambles on and in Ingram's delivery. As opposed to the kitchy country tunes that are polluting the airwaves (like that ridiculous hit "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy") the song is not some one trick novelty. Ingram and his Beat Up Ford Band call on the influence of Merle Haggard for "Work This Out." The acoustic guitar work here borders on sounding like a mandolin. It's some beautiful guitar work. The heavyweights of country are again referenced in the grooving "Anymore Good Loving." This is country as it should be done; there's that rolling rhythm, some thoughtful steel guitar and a stick in your head melody. If other artists practiced this same sort of country, I might actually turn my dial on to the country station. In a similar vein are tunes like "Feel Like I'm Falling In Love" and "How Many Days." I really enjoy the feel of the title track, although it seems a bit plain on the surface. There's a rambling drum track that gives it all the motion needed to move you down the road. There are also little sprinkles of twinkling guitar and Ingram's smooth vocal. Let's not leave out the tender aspect of what Ingram can do. The album wouldn't be complete without a tender ballad like "Inna From Mexico," which he delivers without being sappy. Don't let the pretty boy image fool ya. Jack Ingram is a contender in the honky-tonk inspired country that he purveys. His brand is not twangy or whiney; it's purely based on good songwriting and a strong presentation. This is an album that folks who usually stay away from country music can and will appreciate. I bet they just crank it out live, as the songs lend themselves to getting that live rush of energy. It's records like this that really make you mad about the genre-fication of things. It's these preconceived notions that will probably, unfortunately, keep Jack Ingram slightly underground, like a Steve Earle or a Dwight Yoakam, and that's fine, because not everybody will "get it." Hey Jack-I get it. -tom topkoff

One of the finest songwriter's in Texas and Nashville is taking notice. This Sony Lucky Dog artist is getting cuts outta Nashville. Thanks Nashville, but I'll stick with the original.

A must buy CD! Critically acclaimed debut CD from this 25 year old Tyler native. Produced by Lloyd Maines.

Adam can craft a song like Guy Clark and throw in in a humorous John Prine twist! He's only 25... so watch out world!