MP3 Texas Attitude - COUNTRY: Country Rock
This band has made a musical commitment to Texas all the way, blending cross-genre styles into a true Texas sound that''s country inspired, blues flavored, and rock driven.
10 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Country Rock, COUNTRY: Country Blues
Details:
Justin Harper was raised in the small hill-country town of Bandera, Texas, ''The Cowboy Capital of the World''. He grew up watching his father, Phil, make records and sing in country and rock-n-roll bands all across Texas, but ultimately witnessed his father pass on a recording contract to stay on as a San Antonio Police Officer to make sure his family was secure.
He realized at an early age that he also wanted to be in the spotlight someday himself; Justin opted to take a much more physical route to stardom, Moto-Cross. After making it to the professional level of racing, a devastating crash took his life for a minute or so, but worse in Justin''s eyes, left him living as a paraplegic, ending his racing career and life as he knew it. He went from being a professional athlete to a paraplegic in a split second. "You never think that it''s going to happen to you and when it does, nothing has prepared you for what goes through your mind and the pain that goes through your heart. "What I can say is that is was devastating when my doctors told me that I would never leave a wheelchair for the rest of my life, needless to say, I thought my life was over," says Justin.
But, his attitude of "Never Say Die" dates back to the 6 years Justin spent in an elite US Marine Corps Tactical Helicopter Squadron. Here are comments from his fellow Marines. "He is the quintessential whole man", said Captain James P. Jamison, Huey pilot. "Physically fit with military bearing, technical knowledge and strength of conviction, he speaks up when he needs to. He is a super Marine".
Sergeant Greg A. Picklesimer, crew chief, agrees with Captain Jamison. "In the four and a half years I''ve been here (Squadron HML-267), "Sergeant Verhelst (a.k.a. Justin Harper) is the best I''ve seen come through this squadron. Anything he wants to do, he can accomplish."
An article in Songwriter''s Monthly reviewed Justin''s first EP and states, "Justin came to our attention via the internet. He was touted as being the one to watch. Well, he''s got the look, the songs and the voice, it''s only a matter of time before some big boys find him and polish him up for the masses. Keep your eyes open".
After doing a show in Greenville, North Carolina, Justin''s Band Texas Attitude was signed by On Air Productions. A letter from their office states, "Justin is a talented, young country singer with a heart bigger than Texas. His music mirrors his extraordinary life story. On July 25, 1998, we had the pleasure of working with Justin Harper & Texas Attitude. They were one of the featured performers at the first Wolf Fest, a festival to benefit disabled veterans held at the estate of the late Wolfman Jack".
"Their performance was fantastic! The guys stole the show! Our office has proclaimed them the Ultimate Live Band," states Steven Baldwin.
Also that year, 1998, Texas Attitude was named the CCMA''s (California Country Music Association) Los Angeles Region, Band of the Year.
Justin Harper & Texas Attitude''s first EP received major radio air- play, and was very successful in Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, and Holland, but due to the very political music industry in the United States, this CD was unheard of in his own country much less Justin''s own backyard. That is one of the biggest disappointments of Justin''s career and he vows to wash that bitter taste from his mouth with his band''s new CD that is prepped to be released in the later part of 2005. Justin says, "This CD will be so good, that they (radio DJs) won''t be able ignore it. I can''t wait!"
These are just a few stories from the book of the very active life of Justin Harper. These are also a few of the many accolades, articles, and awards that Justin Harper & Texas Attitude has racked up in their 10 years of playing together. And now there is a new team member coming on to sing lead and backup vocals with Justin at select events, his own Dad Phil. Justin exuberantly exclaims, "This is going to be the most special time of my life. I will be playing not only with my best friends in the world, but also with my musical inspiration and mentor, my own dad, whenever I can coax him out to do it of course. Either way this is going to be unreal, and you people are in for a treat!"
Justin responded to his latest successes, events to look forward to in life and his new album ''Hangin'' By A Thread" by saying, "My life started over almost a decade ago, when it just about came to an end. I never realized I had it all and how great my life really was before my accident. In no way, could I have ever imagined that those many everyday things that I did so effortlessly, but harping about them the whole time, would become something that I would fantasize about doing again someday, but deep down knowing that I would never be able to, ever again. My new measure of life has become, how much can I live before my very last breath? I was blessed and given a second chance, although many times I don''t feel that way, but I''m not going to waste a heartbeat of it. When my final day does come and I meet my maker, I don''t want him to be sorry that he gave me that second chance. Good Luck and God bless all of you".
So armed with a TEXAS ATTITUDE, his dad, his ability to stand tall on his own due to a miracle and partial recovery from his paralysis, and his All-American good looks, makes it evident that 2005 will be Justin''s year. It appears that this Texas singer/songwriter is destined for that spotlight after all.
Something for thought:
A statement from the Lead Singer Justin Harper in television interview before a local charity event, "As you know everyone''s support helps keep us going, being able to continue to book shows and also writing and recording new music. Many of our suppporters know this but I''d like to explain what we do with a portion of the money we recieve from the sales of our products; the point we try to make is as important as keeping music and God alive in our lives, so please listen because this is a very serious issue".
"We implore you too support your local children''s charities and support centers; this is an important issue to us and should be to you too. Many children have no control or options when it comes to their lives and too many of them are abused, abondoned, ignored or left to fend for themselves in today''s society, and that my friends is cruel, indecent, and not Godly. Please try to do something about it in your hometown; if everyone who could help did, at least in their neck of the woods, this world would become a better place for our children of today, and all children of the future. Remember, your children are well taken care of, but there are way too many who are not, so please look beyond your own household if you can. Please, think about this seriously people!!!Thank you, take care, and God bless you all".
For more info on Texas Attitude please go to https://www.tradebit.com