Award-winning country/R&B/soul group, COWBOY SOUL, cap a terrific 2007 by being named a “Top 100 Unsigned Artist” for the second consecutive year by respected trade publication, MUSIC CONNECTION. The band was again nominated in several categories at two of Southern California’s most renowned yearly awards shows: “Country Group/Artist Of The Year” and “Vocalist Of The Year (Mike Mann)” for the 2007 South Bay Music Awards; and “Best Urban Group/Artist Of the Year” for the 2007 All Access Magazine Music Awards. In 2006 Cowboy Soul won "Best Blues Group" at the ‘06 All Access Music Awards.
The band performs a series of shows in the Southern California area (see above) during December. They are also currently in the studio recording the follow-up to their well-received MIKE MANN PRESENTS… COWBOY SOUL CD.
The Media has taken to the COWBOY SOUL. Sound. "(Vocalist Mike Mann and company blend vintage soul and kickin' beats with their country, making for an irresistible, on-your-feet good time," wrote the PASADENA WEEKLY . "All social and historical implications aside, this band blends two uniquely American forms of music into a danceable, foot-stomping mix, and it's all good!" "This is some dang good music pardner," says SOUTHBOUND BEAT MAGAZINE's Pat Benny. "The lead vocals are strong and soulfully beautiful; the harmonies are what the late Mary Rudy would describe as "right in the pocket…and the execution is flawless."
"Mike Mann presents more than just his band, Cowboy Soul," writes VALLEY SCENE MAGAZINE music critic, Bruce Pavalon. "He also presents a unique style of music that melds cowboy-style country western with vintage soul. It might not sound like a natural fit. But Cowboy Soul makes it work… eleven tracks of original catchy and danceable songs that can be enjoyed by one and all.” A Cowboy band playing soul music? It certainly is a successful recipe for Mike Mann and his Los Angeles-based band Cowboy Soul, writes BLUESROCKERS Editor, Tom Branson. "Mann and company have turned in a most entertaining self-titled debut recording, full of great soulful harmonies and very fine Mann compositions, all backed by a great soul band…this is one you are really going to like from a band I am looking to hear great things from in the future," concludes Branson. " COWBOY SOUL is a band with a sound that gets just about everyone's foot tapping," says Bill "Dark" Messick of NEW ARTIST RADIO . "In an age where arguably the best rapper out there is a white guy from Detroit, Mike Mann and his band of Rockin' Cowboys challenge the notion that country artists are only of the blonde-blue-eyed stock. COWBOY SOUL has arrived, and their message is two-fold; Country Music is for everyone and "Let's have a good time! A very good CD for anyone who wants their country with more Groove Power….!" Francisco Ciriza of the SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE writes, "Cowboy Soul stakes its claim to a unique blend of soul, country, and pop influences…"Feel Something" -- with its straight-ahead country/rock backbeat and back-road gritty guitar work – work up enough steam and sweat to solidify Cowboy Soul as a legitimate player on today's music scene." Cowboy Soul's live performance on Los Angeles' top-rated morning television show, "KTLA MORNING NEWS" is now viewable at the world's largest online site for independent videos, VMIX. Log onto http://vmix.com/viewVideo.php?ID=513432
&refer=approveEmail to view "Cowboy Soul Live On KTLA Morning News." Cowboy Soul's video, "Cowboy Soul," now airing in regular rotation on New Artist Radio Television (N.A.R.T.V .), will also soon be available for worldwide viewing at Rock Me TV (www.rockmetv.com). "Where have you guys been hiding? I absolutely LOVE your country/soul sound!," raves on-air personality Shoshona from AWESOME RADIO.
Cowboy Soul are creators of a new style of music called 'Cowboy Soul.' Mixing the storytelling of Country Music, the rhythm and harmonies of Soul, and the power of Rock, Cowboy Soul is as universal as it is dynamic. "There are a lot of players in this band and they all have talent," writes MUSIC CONNECTION critic, Anne O'Neary. "The standout is bandleader Mann, who plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, and handles most of the lead vocals… the group's energy level projected pure stamina; each member exuded a high level of fervor," wrote O'Neary. "Cowboy Soul are cultivating a vision that crosses ethnic and music lines, hoping to bring country music to a wider audience…judging by the size of the crowd at B.B. King's, they just may be on to something. In any case, these guys do it with flair, talent and fun," O'Neary concluded in her review. "The real objective of a Cowboy Soul show is to make our audiences aware of the history of Black Cowboys and their contributions to the Western Frontier," says front person Mike "Miguel Hombre" Mann (lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica). "Black Cowboys played an incredible role in the 'Real West,'" continues Mann. "Riding the range and driving the cattle to market was not easy work, or anywhere as romantic or popular as depicted in the movies or on television. And even though the Black Cowboy worked hard, proved he was qualified and really helped build the West…this era is now.
One of the most forgotten periods of African-American history and achievement. If Black Cowboys still rode the trails today, Cowboy Soul is what their trail songs would sound like," concludes Mann. Cowboy Soul's band members sum up their band philosophy: "We want our audiences to remember the history of Black Cowboys…(yesteryear's) Black Cowboy worked hard, proved he was qualified, and helped build the West. This era is one of the most forgotten periods of African-American history and achievement. Mostly, Cowboy Soul is about cultivating a vision that crosses ethnic and musical lines, hoping to bring Country music to a wider audience." In addition to Mann, Cowboy Soul's band members are: Ted "T Coop" Cooper (lead and background vocals); Mark "Markie D" Drummond (lead guitar); Reggie Harris (drums); and Keith "Beefy Keef" Washington (bass). The group was formed by Mann – a former on-air radio personality and current-day radio commercial and jingle producer – when he was offered to perform as Country-Western role in a local theater production. In the past Cowboy Soul has shared the stage with such renowned acts as R&B crooner Brian McKnight, comedian Sinbad, longtime rockers New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the late Los Angeles-based bluesman, Harmonica Fats. The Autry Museum of Western Heritage, California Country Music Association, National Final Rodeo Party, Real Black Cowboy Film Festival, and the Watts Third World Arts Festival are among the numerous special events Cowboy Soul has performed at throughout the last several years. A Cowboy Soul song was featured on FOX TV show, "Trauma Center." "The Cowboy Soul (of) Mike Mann & the NightRiders sounds like a knee-slappin,' tear-in-your-eye good 'ol time," wrote Libby Molyneaux in the L.A. WEEKLY. Cowboy Soul/Info: Keith Washington Ph. 310.733.9263 cowboysoul@gmail.com
