Bobby Marquez - The Cowboy Way

In this week's episode, we're featuring the first album in nine years from Nashville transplant Bobby Marquez, "The Cowboy Way" (2018). Hailing from the deep south of Texas, he moved to Nashville in the late 90s to pursue the country music dream. Nicknamed "Smilin'" Bobby Marquez by WSM legend Keith Bilbrey, his positive attitude has come in handy since his move to Music City: signed to two major labels and dropped from both for reasons beyond his control, with some help from his wife and Texas Country Music DJ Hall Of Famer Jennifer Herron, Marquez founded his own label and did things his own way. Playing by his own rules has worked well for him: winning awards and entertaining crowds worldwide with his easy traditional style that brings to mind the heyday of George Strait and Alan Jackson (he's had songs recorded by both) - "The Cowboy Way" is a solid dose of originality, with highlights including the bouncy "What's The Deal"; a great duet with fellow Texan Johnny Rodriguez on one of that man's first hits, "Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico"; a fun opener in "Honky Tonk" and a dedication to his late father-in-law on "The Cowboy Way". Solid.