Michael Shane Borden is no newcomer to country music. A veteran lead guitarist and singer with 25 years of honky-tonk playing under his belt, his second CD "The Modern Sounds of Michael Shane Borden and the Diesel Kings" is the culmination of a lot of miles, both literally and figuratively. His style pays homage to the legends of Honky-Tonk music while incorporating elements of rockabilly, roots rock, and hillbilly. Mostly self-penned, this CD includes many tongue-in-cheek songs like "Alcohol of Fame" (previously released) and "Heartbreak 101," some of which have already become favorites in the clubs. Platinum producer Mark Younger-Smith has managed to capture the essence of the band's "diesel-powered" sound. The CD comes out hammer-down with the first single "Truckstop Confessions" and only lets off the gas a time or two until putting on the airbrakes abruptly after the final track entitled "The Fifth." Acclaimed recording artist Dale Watson even makes a guest appearance on "Honky-Tonk Time Machine." In addition to the Diesel Kings, (Brendan Ryan on bass, Daren Hess on drums, and Tom Umberger on lead guitar), several of Austin's premier musicians such as Ricky Davis (steel), Billy Dee Donahue (bass), Dave Biller (lead guitar), Brad Fordham (bass) contribute to the project as well as Fort Worth Western Swing giants Gary Carpenter (steel), and Tommy Nash (lead guitar). But Michael Shane carries most of the weight on the lead guitar. Michael Shane Borden's first CD gained notoriety in the Texas Music circuit with songs like "Cowgirls From Outer Space" and "Sons of San Antone." The disc received airplay on many major-market and independent country and Americana stations in Texas and Oklahoma as well as Europe. This troubadour has shared the stage with the likes of Chris Wall, Ray Wylie Hubbard, David Allen Coe, Johnny Bush, Guy Clark, Charlie Robison, and Wayne Hancock...just to name a few. He has played venues such as the now legendary Three Teardrops Tavern, Adairs, and the Sons of Hermann Hall in Dallas as well as the Austin's Broken Spoke, Jovitas, The Continental Club, Ego's, Threadgills, and every juke-joint in between. Features include Larry Joe Taylor's Texas Music Festival, Willie Nelson's Pickin' and Puttin,' KHYI's Texas Music Revolution, Luckenbach's Waylon Jennings tribute and musical appearances on HBO's "Sex and the City" and VH1's "The Fabulous Life of Country Superstars." So buckle up your seatbelts and get ready for a wild ride. - Tom Bradley