A Real T-E-X-A-N

Well-Traveled Marchman

Though a well-traveled musician, both internationally and in the United States, Houston Marchman doesn't perform as frequently on the Texas Gulf Coast as he does in the northern reaches of the Lone Star State. Raised on his father's ranch in Meridian, Marchman, despite his given name, still apparently favors the upper half of Texas.

No matter. After spending the first part of his professional life performing at rodeos and Wild West shows, as both rider and musician, then kicking around Nashville for six years (the telling title of his debut CD: VietNashville), Marchman's only getting more seasoned the longer he lasts. "VietNashville is about finding yourself, defining what's important to you and standing up for those things," says Marchman. "While I was living in Nashville, I met so many very talented people who were true to their profession but were not allowed the opportunity to express their art."

The main factor that worked against Marchman in Nashville will make him fit right in with a Houston audience: He is T-E-X-A-N. Unwilling to bend, Marchman turns out songs derived from his roots -- stories of ranch hands, rodeo riders, truckers and broken hearts -- but then propels them into the here and now via a sonic blend of rock, country, Texas folk, blues, conjunto and polka.

Marchman's current disc, Leavin' Dallas, was released last May and features songs with titles such as "Wheels," "Caleb and Ray Dawn" and "Two Sisters." CD number three is set for release later this year. It will include the song "One Foot Deeper," which is already part of the soundtrack for an upcoming HBO special.