Mark Allan was fortunate to have the assistance of some amazing friends and musicians putting How Country together.

Guitars:

There were seven different unique and talented guitarists on How Country.

• Chris Reeves who has played with a long list of great Texas Country artists, including extensive touring with jon Arthur martinez, is an amazing guitarist and like Mark Allan, a resident of the small Hill Country town of Burnet. He also did the bulk of the lead work on the album. Playing on Honkytonk Blues, Full Of It, How Country, Hurricane Wind and God Bless Americans, Chris brings the best damn Tele Twangin’ you’re like to hear this side of Redd Volkaert to Mark Allan’s Outlaw Country debut. His lead solo on God Bless Americans is not to be missed.
• Robert Johnson has been a friend of Mark Allan’s since age 17 and was someone who was definitely in the plans for recording all along. His slide and lead picking contributions to Oakalla Road help the song to soar. Robert currently fronts his own band, Robert Johnson’s Soul and puts on one of the best rockin’ blues shows you’ll see in Texas.
• Wayne O’Neill, who is currently the powerful guitarist behind the amazing Kyle Wayne Kutscher Band and was part of the original touring and recording Brandon Ryder Band, is a friend who Mark Allan wanted to play on the album from the start. He brings his recognizable rockin’ country style to one of the fan favorites, I’m Trouble and the Kristofferson classic, Jesus Was A Capricorn. Get out to see this great picker whenever you get a chance.
• Tim Rozelle and Mark Allan have known each other since they were both kids with guitars, playing together for nearly 5 years in the successful Dallas based rock band Wild Child. Lonely Highway, penned by Mark Allan when he was 18, was a song that Tim played for years and was the natural choice for his blistering lead contribution to the album. Tim is now fronting his own group in Dallas and remains one of Texas’ most amazing undiscovered axemen.
• Mick McMillan, who was the full time lead man in the live band during the time How Country was being recorded, got the song that many of the others wanted, Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde. This is the most edgy song on the entire record and Mick rips through it like he was angry with it. This is the most requested song live.
• Dennis Phillips (who also served as the producer of the album) and Rhoades D’Ablo (who was the live band lead picker for several months too) got to share the guitar duties on one of the most fun tunes on the album. Kill My Guitar features Phillips playful acoustic leads spread throughout and is punctuated by D’Ablo’s scorching seven-second full blown metal solo smack dab in the middle. This song is a hoot.

Pedal Steel and Dobro:

• Emmett Roch, who’s list of bands and artists he’s worked with is far too long to place here, is one of Mark Allan’s best friends and one of the finest players you’re like to run across. His steel work on Hurricane Wind is as haunting as his work on Full Of It is old-school authentic. The dobro on Honkytonk Blues sets the tone for the vibe of the song throughout and the dobro solo on the classic Jesus Was A Capricorn does the original Kristofferson recording proud.

Drums:

• Johnny Reb Kelsey and Mark Allan have been playing music together since they were both too young to drink (legally) and have travelled many miles across the southwestern U.S. doing just that. Johnny was the only drummer Mark Allan wanted to work with when the album project started and ended up playing 10 of the 11 songs on it. His work on Lonely Highway and Hurricane Wind turned out to be his and Mark Allan’s favorite. Johnny and his family remain a critical part of Mark Allan’s personal and musical life.
• Steven Meyer is the owner and engineer of Timbre Lodge Studios, where the album was recorded. He also happens to be one of the best damn drummers you’re likely to ever hear or see perform. Although his studio keeps him so busy that he rarely has time to perform live anymore, Mark Allan happily talked him into throwing down the authentic waltz beat on the tongue-in-cheek Full Of It.

Piano:

• Uncle Mitch Connell, who has spent most of the last several years traveling the country and the world with the brilliantly talented Granger Smith, lent his classic touch and personality to the album on Oakalla Road, Honkytonk Blues, Lonely Highway and Hurricane Wind. Connell’s work on Lonely Highway is one of the highlights of the entire album.

Bass:

• Keith Scroggins is the bass player for the Kyle Wayne Kutscher band and has probably played bass for Mark Allan more than anyone else. Not only was he responsible for helping Mark Allan with several arrangement fine touches, but played every bass note on the album. He still sits in for the full band sometimes and is always a pleasure to hear.

Backing Vocals:

• Eddie Mendoza who was the full time bassist for Mark Allan for quite a while and also played with him and Johnny Reb in Johnny’s southern rock tribute band Vagabond, handled the harmony duties on the album. The comic relief piece at the end of God Bless Americans was Eddie’s creation and was so much fun in the studio that it was kept for the final mix.
• MAA sang all the lead vocals, played acoustic rhythm guitar, electric rhythm guitar, electric 12-string rhythm guitar and harmonica and sang harmony on Lonely Highway.

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