MUSIC

Goode's Armadillo Palace presents Mike Stinson. (acoustic)

"Virginian Mike Stinson's vibrant take on old-school honky tonk music has made him perhaps the leading L.A. light of the moment...he's a formidable songsmith..." Chris Morris -- Billboard Magazine

Mike Stinson's style of music will never fade away or become passe because the truth is never out-of-date. Mike writes memorable heart-bleeding tales laced with pain, humor and regret, describing his straightforward sound as "Tear-in-your-beer honky-tonk and barnyard rock and roll." He's the rare artist who doesn't know how to be anything but true to himself. There is no pretense, no bullshit, not a damn thing between you and what's in Mike's heart. His distinctive voice isn't like anything you've ever heard before, and that's a good thing. He means what he sings. Mike delivers the message in such a uniquely authentic way, you're not gonna forget what he has to say anytime soon.

"Even if you've never heard any of the songs by the man described as the king of L.A.'s neo honky-tonk scene, you'll probably find yourself singing along with lots of them during his set..." So says the L.A. Times venerable music critic Robert Hilburn. The difficult-to-please rock journalist Johnny Angel recently hailed Mike as "very likely the best contemporary songwriter" in the classic country vein, insisting that his readers "catch a set and enjoy a master at work." Los Angeles Magazine also named Stinson Best Country-Western Artist of 2004.

Mike's lyrics touch torn-up heartstrings and you know he understands. "Everybody's got their own shit to worry about, and they don't have to deal with the black cloud you're carryin' around. So I try not to do that with people...but I do it in my songs." Along with Bob Dylan, Mike cites Willie Nelson, George Jones, Ray Price and Merle Haggard as inspirations. He enjoys working within the predictable framework of classic country song structure, but he sure rips it up within that seemingly rigid format. His words cut right to the core and shine a beacon on what counts. "All I'm trying to do is write a song in the traditional vein of those great old songs. That's the way they should sound. I think every line should count; make each one great or don't do it. When a song is a classic and it's got memorable lyrics, those are the songs that get under my skin. When I sit down to write a song, that's what I'm trying to do."

Mike has a lot of fans in country music, among them Dwight Yoakam who recorded Mike's homage to California's long lost magic --"Late Great Golden State," and put it on his 'Population Me,' album as well as the recently released 'The Very Best of Dwight Yaokam,' Billy Bob Thornton took a shine to the tune and recorded it for his upcoming album as well. Willie Nelson listens to Mike's first record 'Jack of All Heartache,' as he travels across the country in his bus. Now Willie will have a whole new batch of Stinson tunes to take on the road. Mike's latest, 'Last Fool at the Bar,' is loaded with more heart-shattering insight and beer drinkin' teardrops than ought to be allowed.

Robert Hilburn called Mike Stinson "one of Los Angeles' best-kept musical secrets." Not for long. Trust me. Pamela Des Barres.