MUSIC

Goode's Armadillo Palace is proud to welcome Houston Marchman.

The driving force behind Houston Marchman is his ability to translate real life into music. Marchman spent his formative years soaking up the sights and sounds of America’s heartland. Marchman received his first guitar at the age of 5. Influenced by his musical grandfather and poetic grandmother, he wrote his first song at the age of 13. Today he continues to produce music both poetically humble and musically complex, creating music that honestly and vividly portrays life mixing the sounds of country, Texas folk, polka, conjunto and blues.

Described as a charming, passionate person by those close to him, Marchman is filled with humorous accounts and boundless energy, connecting with audiences wherever he plays. His fans love the honesty of his music as well as his smoky character-filled voice. Marchman explains his philosophy of writing this way: "The point is not to be creative but to be accurate in your experience and therefore you will be creative. Don't write what you think listeners want to hear, write what you know." Mark Mundy of KNON in Dallas observes, "It's this type of writing that is drawing attention to Marchman and his music. It's refreshing to hear a singer/songwriter who can paint a picture and make you feel like you are there."

Houston Marchman's first full length CD , Viet Nashville (which is unavailable), was independently released in 1995 after living in and experiencing the music industry in Tennessee. Though many of the songs off his debut album were fine-tuned and included on Marchman's second CD, Leavin' Dallas, several songs have never been released again.

Leavin' Dallas, released in 1999, charted on Gavin Americana and prompted the "Blue Chip Radio Report" to carefully describe him as "...somewhere in the ballpark of Townes Van Zandt and Robert Earl Keen in the songwriting/storytelling department ..." and "musically ...a country rocker of the Mellencamp-Springsteen-Earl variety." Other critics frankly called it "an impressive debut".

Released in October 2000, Tryin' for Home gained success on the Americana Chart and remained in the Top 10 for several months. The opening track "Wichita Falls" is a mid-tempo, Cajun-tinged story of life-altering mistakes and deep blue regret which once again expels Houston's knack for telling a story so succinctly you almost believe you are watching the events unfold right before your eyes. The singles "Wrong Side of Del Rio", "Plano Texas Girl" and "Wichita Falls" maintain heavy radio play on Americana radio stations around the state.

In 2001, Marchman's Live album recorded at Cheatham Street in San Marcos and The White Elephant in Ft. Worth Texas, captures the true essence of his live performance. The Live album unfolds like a novel allowing listeners to identify with Marchman on an honest down-to-earth level while showcasing several new songs including "Damn this Road" and "Buses in the Rain" while delivering songs previously released on Houston's album Leavin' Dallas and the preceding record Tryin' for Home. 

Marchman's fifth album, Desperate Man (2003), has been considered some of his best work, charting on the XM Satellite Chart, the American Chart, the Texas Music Chart, and the Roots Music Chart. In addition, a song off Desperate Man was chosen to be included on the Texas Music Project CD — whose proceeds are used to help restore music education in Texas public schools. "Sweet Suzanne" was nestled in at track #3 between Stevie Ray Vaughn and Willie Nelson.

Marchman's latest CD, Blue Cadillac, was independently released in 2004. From the comical "Holdin' My Own" to the gritty "Road Block", Blue Cadillac exemplifies the diversity and talent of Marchman.

You won't find Marchman resting on his laurels. Another live album is in production, and is expected to hit the shelves in August of 2005.

Music lovers who appreciate an honest outlook on life and enjoy the sounds of country music packed with the punch of rock, while carrying on the tradition of Texas Folk, conjunto, polka, and blues are constantly satisfied taking in the true-to-life tunes of Houston Marchman.