Today's Country

Mike Dekle the songwriter has found his songs cut by many artists in the country music world including headliners like Kenny Rogers, Joe Nichols, Tracy Byrd, and others, but as with most songwriters in Music City there is that inner voice telling them to be artists as well. Although Mike Dekle the artist may not have found his way to mainstream radio that doesn't discount the fact that he has phenomenal songs on equally as phenomenal records as he shows with his brand new release Tributes, his fifth album overall. He combines a little bit of everything into this album from the modern day traditional influenced sound his writing is known for, to folksy country offerings, and a bit of islandy splash. Dekle first introduces you to the more traditional branded flare with album opener "The Ballad of the Working Man," which will instantly transport you back to the original outlaw days of country music blaring from the dusty old honky-tonks that line Lower Broadway played by the legends like Haggard, Waylon, and Willie. But he also has the ability to change his music's focus as he shows with songs like "Island Breeze," which as you probably could have guessed it based solely on the title has a very Chesney-esque type feel to it. However, let's not forget that Mike Dekle is a songwriter and thus for the most part focuses on just having great songs. "That's A Keeper" sees him focusing on the simple things in life that matter most to be thankful for, while songs like "Miss Jones" see him as the subject falling in love with the teacher that lives in the flat above him. This album is appropriately titled Tributes as each song seems to pay tribute to subjects that all focus on life and the simple riches of it from family, to photos, to inspirations and influences (see "Ode To Bob Dylan"), but most importantly it is about solid songs that relate to everyday life and living.