McKinney Back Home To Perform

// October 23rd, 2008 // News

By THOMAS JENKINS
Staff Writer, Big Spring Herald
While Saturday’s Hawkfest on the Howard College Campus will be fun and games for many area residents and students, it will serve as a homecoming for at least one Crossroads native, as country music sensation Mark McKinney returns home to perform.
A former Big Spring High School student, McKinney has attracted attention in the Texas music scene, having toured across Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for the past two years. According to McKinney, Big Spring is also the inspiration for his current single, “Stompin’ Ground,” which is listed on the Texas Music Chart.
“’Stompin’ Ground,’ was one that I wrote about growing up in Big Spring,” said McKinney. “It’s about visiting your hometown, re-living all the memories and looking at all the spots where you made those memories. Different lines (in the song) reference different spots in Big Spring. The line about ‘rolling my truck’ refers to the time I wrecked my ’79 Jeep CJ7 over by the old bowling alley. It talks about playing Little League at International Stadium out at the base, cruising up and down Gregg Street, and finding love — I met my wife, April, in Big Spring.
“I really attribute much of my success to the relationships I formed in Big Spring and the people who believed in me here. It’s so great to be coming home to play at Howard College Saturday. I’m really looking forward to visiting Big Spring and catching up with some friends from my childhood.”
McKinney said growing up in Big Spring played a big part in his decision to pursue a career as a recording artist and songwriter.
“You’ll hear several references to my Big Spring upbringing if you listen to my lyrics,” said McKinney. “I started playing music in sixth grade. My dad, Rick McKinney, taught my brother, Eric, and me how to play guitar and with his guidance we started our first band. Throughout high school our bands played all over Big Spring and Midland. Seeing Willie Nelson there at Memorial Stadium also made a big impression on me as a kid.”
After graduating from high school, McKinney began working on his musical career in earnest.
“I decided that I wanted to keep pursuing music so I moved to Austin to seek out greater opportunities,” said McKinney. “I had a band there in Austin but it wasn’t until a few years ago when I started touring as a solo act that big things started to happen. Rob Dennis, who is also from Big Spring, started a record label, Super Loud Music, and I was his first act.
“For the past two years I have been touring Texas and Oklahoma, playing everything from roadhouses to fairs. I’m getting radio play and have had four singles on the Texas Music Chart, three of which have been Top 10.”
The concert is set to get under way at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the Outreach Office on the Howard College campus, or that evening at the gate. No alcoholic beverages will be sold or allowed on campus.
For more information, call 264-5034.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail atcitydesk@bigspringherald.comcitydesk@bigspringherald.com