The first time that I heard the song “Drinkin’ Problem,” it stopped me in my tracks. It forced me to stop what I was doing and find out more about this band called Midland. Their modern traditionalist style, with just a bit of Nashville flair, was something I hadn’t heard in a long time in Country Music.
Cameron Duddy, Jess Carson and Mark Wystrach, not only sound like a throwback to the the sounds of 70s and 80s country, but they look the part, too. The hair, the moustaches, lots of denim and vintage t’s and a nod to the suits that were made famous by Nudie and Manuel.
The three met in Los Angeles where they were all working on different projects for over a decade. In 2013, at Duddy’s wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the three played as a group for the first time. They played tunes by George Strait, Moe Bandy, the Eagles and Willie Nelson. The songs were never something that were forced, it was just what happened. They had worked as front men in groups previous, so the harmonies just seemed to come naturally, as well.
Eventually, all three ended up in Texas and started working in the honky tonks. In fall of 2015, Midland was booked to a month long gig at Poodies Hilltop Roadhouse in Austin, a place where the regulars aren’t so easily impressed. The guys not only did well, but started to make a name for themselves in the bars in the Lone Star state, where the “bar” for bands is definitely set a little higher.
In just a matter of two short years later, Midland celebrated their first number one with their first single, “Drinkin’ Problem.” The 13-song debut album, On The Rocks meshes their harmonies, with some California twang (think Dwight Yoakam), great lyrics and radio friendly hooks.
Midland has found the way to balance a traditional sound with a cool factor that makes their music more accessible to the masses. The album not only contains “Drinkin’ Problem,” but a solid collection of tunes that could have been recorded by Strait or Yoakam. Opening with the perfect slow dance for a night at a honky tonk with “Lonely For You,” to the more modern flair of “Check Cashin’ Country,” the album is just filled with songs will get stuck in your head with so many great melodies. Their current single working the charts is “Make a Little,” that again takes it’s cues from the music of the artists of years ago.
If your not going to see Midland at WQMX Charity Concert at Dusty Armadillo, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of On The Rocks. You’ll be glad you did.
Midland will be performing at the WQMX Charity Show at Dusty Armadillo in Rootstown, Ohio. The acoustic show starts at 8pm. The show is Sold Out.
