Darby Warren Project
Longview, Texas, United States | SELF
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You just can’t cheat in a small town, Mark Cooke knows.
So, you can bet your bottom dollar there will be no lip-syncing when he and the Cooke County Line take the stage at the East Texas Treatment Center’s Boots & Buckles dance March 26.
The country group will headline the evening’s entertainment, along with local trio, the Darby Warren Project, and another Longview native, country soloist Lindsey Harding.
“I just think that we've got great entertainment this year,” the facility’s executive director, Merlyn Holmes, said this week. “I think our entertainment stands out more than any of our previous years. It's going to be a great weekend.”
The center’s sixth annual dance fundraiser, set to begin at 7 p.m. at Tiffany’s Ballroom, brings Cooke back to his East Texas stomping grounds from Nashville, where’s been living since September as he cuts an album with CBR Music, set for release March 22.
Entertainers at the East Texas Treatment Center’s Boots & Buckles dance fundraiser March 26 at Tiffany’s Ballroom include headliner Marke Cooke & The Cooke County Line (above), East Texas country music soloist Lindsey Harding (below) and the Darby Warren Project, a local trio. Call 903.984.5571 to reserve tickets for the event. COURTESY PHOTOS The Longview country musician’s single “Can’t Cheat In A Small Town” peaked at No. 56 on the Billboard Charts after its debut last June.
“In parentheses, that’s not about Kilgore or any particular town,” Cooke said with a chuckle Monday. “It was good enough for us to make our mark in country music. We’re about to come out with our second one – ‘I Love It’ – in a week.”
Cooke describes his music as “new age country,” mainstream but with a traditional sound to it.
“Country music, I grew up on it. I love Merle Haggard, Waylon (Jennings) and Johnny Cash,” he said. “Country music is always changing, it’s always shifting. You try to keep some of those influences in your music, but you try to make it sound modern as well.”
The 35-year-old East Texas native said he’s excited to be performing in Kilgore, where many of his family members still live. As his national album gets ready for its debut – the title hasn’t yet been set – Cooke says his music sticks to his roots, fun and modern but enjoyable for all.
“It’s mainstream, but I try to keep what I believe in,” he explained. “Most of my songs are something that you wouldn’t be embarrassed in playing in front of grandparents or a pastor at church – it’s more family-oriented, and it’s kind of an all-gender type music.”
The Darby Warren Project — David McElhany, Darby Warren and Clark Langley. Holmes said she’s pleased to have a “local boy” back from Nashville for the fundraiser, which benefits the center’s treatment sponsorship program.
“I think he’s an up-andcoming artist,” Holmes said. “That’s just exciting, to have someone of that caliber.”
Paige Brewer, the treatment center’s marketing director, said she’s excited about the Darby Warren Project, three local men whose original blend of country, blues and jazz she expects will have a wide appeal.
Warren, a Henderson native, formed the band in 2010 with David McElhany on acoustic guitar and vocals and Clark Langley on standup bass, electric bass, trumpet and vocals. Warren writes the group’s music, plays rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, stand-up bass, electric bass, slide, harp and is lead vocalist.
“They’re a group of guys who have loved music and got this group together,” Brewer said. Their music is “just different. It’s kind of edgy. It’s kind of a blend that I think caters to everybody.”
At 20, Lindsey Harding will be the youngest performer at Boots & Buckles.
Another native East Texan now living in Henderson, Harding cites Martina McBride and Lee Ann Womack as influences. She’s performed throughout North and East Texas in addition to stages in Nashville, New Orleans and Branson.
Harding was the 2010 Texas Music Hall of Fame Showcase winner, performed in Neal McCoy’s East Texas Angel Network Concert last year and was the Dallas regional winner for Country Music Television’s Country Strong Singing challenge.
“Sound of My Heart,” Harding’s first album with Rosewood Studios, was wrapped in January.
Tickets are still available for Boots & Buckles, $40 for individuals, $500 for a table of eight, and $750 for a sponsored. To buy a ticket, reserve a table, commit to a sponsorship or contribute to the evening’s silent auction, contact Brewer at 903.984.5571.
- Kilgore News Herald
Discography
Rockabilly Country Blues
Photos
Bio
Darby Warren formed this band in 2010. His desire was to develop a unique and original sound. The kind of music that makes you want to tap your foot and get up and dance.
Darby wanted to form an old style trio band with a stand up bass player. Something you don't see much of anymore.
Band mates, David McElhany and Clark Langley were perfect additions.
David plays acoustic guitar and harmonizes and sometimes sings lead. David has performed professionally for many years. David's roots are in country ballads.
Clark plays the stand up bass, electric bass, trumpet, and harmonizes as well. Clark performed with a band in the 70's.
Darby is a songwriter, plays rhythm guitar, acoustic, stand up bass, electric bass, slide, harp, and lead vocals.
Darby has been writing music his entire life, but finally decided to share his music by forming, The Darby Warren Project. My music is a combination of many different styles of music. I don't even know what to call it. I love to mix the old blues with the more contemporary bluesy -rock and I also like the early rockabilly sound. My influences would have to be early Elvis, early Johnny Cash, 30's and 40's black blues musicians and the changing sound of the 60's.
Since then the band has grown to a five piece lets have a good time all out rockabilly country blues show!
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