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Review Of "Backroads In Bare Feet" from

Mike Clifford’s "Backroads In Bare Feet" is essentially a story of three Mikes. There’s the artistic Mike on “You Should Have Told Me” in which Clifford uses stylish arrangements to cross over into places he’s not usually seen. The song has country elements and a Latin feel using instrumentation you won’t find on the bulk of Clifford’s work. There’s the troubadour Mike on “Famous,” and “Little Baby Girl” in which Clifford showcases two sides of his songwriting prowess. On “Famous,” Clifford proves he can create a story within meter that, even if you’re expecting the storyline, can give you enough diversion to keep interest in an otherwise bland one-four-five talker. Clifford takes a behind-the-scenes look at an age old quagmire of the music business – how to get famous. You’ll hear him dance close to the jest of Coe’s “The Ride” and even pays homage with a familiar musical interlude from the much-covered hit. Destined to be a crowd favorite, the track could garner some airplay if the jocks can overlook the five minute issue.

When “Little Baby Girl” played for the first time, I had to check my player to see if I had accidentally loaded a John Arthur Martinez song. By the chorus I knew it was Clifford, but his style and delivery was mindful of JAM and that’s a level of songwriting you don't rise to overnight. I believe Clifford can hold his own next to John Arthur Martinez in the songwriting category. It might be a while before he pens as many tunes as Martinez, but he can already hold his own with respect to imagery and passion. That’s half the battle of songwriting.

There’s the performer Mike on the title track and “West Texas Sun.” Listen closely and you’ll hear Clifford morph from one track to another, easing his way in and out of each distinct persona, bringing the one most suited for the track. This is not a totally themed record, but many of the songs tie to the title and help fuel the laid back feel of the project. There aren’t any rock anthems on this offering and Clifford is not trying to show you that he can play jazz, blues, and hip hop on the same record. I truly believe Clifford has hit a home run with this release. He has at least three songs that will make outstanding radio releases, and three good follow-ups. The promise of airplay from six of eleven cuts is something every artist should aspire to.

Clifford, with the release of his fourth album, has mastered the formula. If a listener is a new Clifford fan, they’ll be well off to purchase all the former material as well so that the full Mike Clifford can be experienced. Clifford matures with each album, and has made his mark on Texas music. This is the latest installment of a stellar career and the success of this disc will likely inspire Clifford to start recording again right away. Advice to Mike: let it simmer just a bit, there’s a lot of mileage to be had from this one. Fellow MTM member, Academy member, and TMA nominee Brennen Leigh appears on the record. The list of pickers is first rate and the production is masterful. I don’t usually rank records, but this one would get my highest rating if I did. Clifford stays on genre, remains true to his art, and gives fans a reprise of familiar sounds and a steady diet of uncharted territory. That’s what superstars do. Good work from all three Mikes.

- Lucky Boyd, MyTexasMusic.com

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release, July 27 2010

Mike Clifford set to release 4^th CD “Backroads In Bare Feet”

Texas Music Award Nominee Shows Maturity While Still Rockin’ The Honky-Tonk

(AUSTIN, TX) If you ask Mike Clifford why it took 4 years to complete his forthcoming CD “Backroads In Bare Feet”, you’ll get an interesting answer. “I met the love of my life, got married, we had a baby daughter, sold both of our houses, bought a new house, and dealt with the death of two immediate family members. All while playing 175 shows a year.”

The 11 songs on “Backroads In Bare Feet” reflect Clifford’s current role as husband and father, with a definite maturity in both themes and style. But the album still has a fun, upbeat feel to it. “I really think this CD offers something for everyone, with everything from heartfelt ballads to raucous honky-tonk to out-and-out rockers. I wrote about 40 songs in the 4 years since my previous CD, and from that I chose the 11 strongest songs, regardless of what stylistic category they fit into. So you have a collection of what I feel are very strong story songs, spanning a wide range of musical styles, but always with a definite nod towards true country music.”

Written and produced by Clifford, the album features members of George Strait’s Ace In The Hole Band and Asleep At The Wheel, as well as Clifford’s backing band. As might be expected, the musicianship is top-notch all the way around, and Clifford’s voice has never sounded better. “It’s really a remarkable CD” according to Gary and Greybeard from Dallas-based Texas Country internet station TXMRS.com. “’Backroads In Bare Feet’ shows what modern country music can be and should be… memorable songs and melodies, great vocals and musicianship, traditional country and modern influences, all wrapped up in a truly Texas sound.”

Bill Gregory, program director for KRXT-FM radio Rockdale agrees. “I’ve been playing a lot of Mike’s early demos of these songs on my Texas Music Radio show, that’s how strong the material is. So when I heard the finished CD tracks for the first time this week, I may be a bit biased in saying the songs are instantly memorable. I realize the tendency is to overlook independent artists like Mike Clifford in favor of the major label releases, but in my opinion the major labels could learn something by taking a listen to this album.”

“Backroads In Bare Feet” begins shipping September 3. There will be pre-release parties at Bo’s Barn in Salado August 6 and County Line on the Lake in Austin August 7, where Clifford will be performing the new songs live and giving away CDs. More shows are planned around the official release date. The new disc will be available through online sites such as Lonestarmusic.com, CDBaby.com, MyTexasMusic.com, as well as on Mike Clifford’s official website www.mikeclifford.com.

About Mike Clifford: Mike Clifford is an Austin-based singer/songwriter who’s been nominated for 2 Texas Music Awards and has charted 5 consecutive singles on the Texas Music Chart over the past several years. He and his band currently perform all over the great state of Texas and points beyond. For more information, please visit the official website www.mikeclifford.com .