In the weeks leading up to the Houston Press Music Awards showcase on Sunday, August 4, Rocks Off will be profiling a handful of performers each day, mostly in their own words - part of the best top-to-bottum lineup the showcase has ever had, in our humble opinion. See the showcase schedule and ticket information at HPMusicAwards.com, and watch Twitter (@hprocksoff) every day until the showcase for your chance to win tickets.

What are you nominated for? Best Songwriter? Best Country? Both? Not sure. [Both - Ed.]

Please list all of your regular band members and what instruments they play. Mike Stinson, vocals/guitar; Lance Smith (lead guitar); Mark Riddell (bass); Matt Johnson (drums).

Describe your band in four to seven words. Words and music of reckless abandon.

Who is your single biggest musical influence and why? Bob Dylan, because no one else even comes close.

What recordings (if any) do you have readily available? Hell And Half of Georgia (2013); The Jukebox In Your Heart (2010); Last Fool at the Bar (2005); Jack of All Heartache (2002).

Have you ever been HPMA-nominated before? When and what for? Won Song of the Year in 2010, nominated several other times.

Where and how often do you perform (publicly) around Houston? Performing in Houston at least twice a month at venues including Under the Volcano, Mucky Duck, Boom Boom Room, Continental Club.

What is the next step for your band? Next step is world domination... or at least Upper Kirby.

Finish this sentence: "Houston music is..." Houston music is a harsh mistress.

Mike Stinson's HPMA showcase spotlight is 9 p.m. Sunday, August 4 at House of Blues' Crossroads Stage (in the restaurant). See more about him at mikestinson.net or facebook.com/Mike-Stinson.