Country Mike Blog

Kevin Fowler-Mark McKinney Show

Mike Sudhalter  |  June 2, 2009

Kevin Fowler

Kevin Fowler thanked the fans at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston after his show.

That's not really anything out of the ordinary, but the fact that he thanked the fans for supporting him, Roger Creager, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, etc., was special. Then, before exiting the stage - he said, "If it weren't for y'all, I'd be working at Whataburger."

In Top 40 Country, everything is so scripted. But there is some kind of genuine connection between Texas Music artists like Fowler and the energetic fan base.

His 90-minute performance included rowdy and wild hits like "Loose, Loud and Crazy" and the tongue-in-cheek, "Lord Loves The Drinkin' Man."

Fowler encouraged his fans not to tie the knot, before introducing the song, "Cheaper to Keeper," a humorous look at a marriage gone wrong.

George Jones wasn't on stage Saturday night, but that didn't take anything away from the drinkin' song, "Me And The Boys." Fowler and Jones paired up for the duet on Fowler's 2008 "Bring It On" album.

"Hard Man To Love" and "Best Mistake I Ever Made" are both well-written, introspective songs about dealing with life situations and things that we do for love.

Fowler performed two covers - "Drinking My Baby Goodbye" (Charlie Daniels Band) and "Fat Bottomed Girls" (AC/DC). Like his previous shows, these were good versions of the songs, but I'd definitely like to see Fowler cover some classic country or rockers.

The highlight of the show was "100% Texan." It may not be the best song written about being from Texas, but it's definitely got to be considered for it. Just ask the legions of fans who have sung along with it from Lubbock to Laredo.

Opening act Mark McKinney has a style that's completely different than Fowler, but it works out well in this eclectic Texas Music scene.

His band, "The Cosmic Cowboys," backed him up with the rocking, edgy sounds of "21st Century Cowboy" and "Bonfire."

"Party Foul" gives instructions on the things NOT to do at a party - one of the chief no-nos, being changing the music when Willie Nelson is playing.

And McKinney's new single, "Middle America" - like "Stomping Ground" and "Comfortable In This Skin" has widespread appeal.

There's no question that the Austin native is among the rising stars in the Texas Music scene.