Singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Ethan Messick (Coming Home – 6/7) is a pretty interesting guy. After asking him, point blank, whether his goal was to sign a recording contract with one of the big boys, he told me he would first have to question their sanity, but at the same time, ask “where do I sign?”.
Give yourself some credit, Mike Ethan. Your debut CD, “Bootlegger’s Turn”, is something to be proud of.
There is something about this CD that has carved a niche for Mike Ethan in the Texas Music genre. It’s immediately evident from the opening track, “American Steel” all the way to track 12, “Raven” that he draws from his influences growing up in a home that embraced the Outlaws of the ‘70’s, but whips it to the present with a definite Red Dirt delivery. Add to it some hometown Springsteen/Mellencamp Pop-Rock flavor, and a touch of Americana-Folk, and you have Mike Ethan Messick.
It may seem like Bootlegger’s Turn can be made out to be a little sloppy. But it’s not. Not even close. Messick went out and put together a band that plays like they have known each other all their lives. Bandmates Aaron Holt and Stormy Cooper produced the CD, and I don’t think their effort can be improved upon.
When I think of a debut CD, my first assumption is that it will be good, diverse songs (likely the best songs the artist has written over several years), but the music tends to be shallow and one-dimensional, and by the middle of the CD, my attention will be lost. This one breaks the mold. Bootlegger’s Turn has passed over the immature stage and moved Mike Ethan Messick into a position to accumulate fans, and to make music critics take notice. Texas radio has plenty to choose from here as well.
Just imagine what could happen if Mike Ethan actually manages to improve on Bootlegger’s Turn.