Alvin, Texas -- Country Music Town

Have you every been to Alvin, Texas?

I haven't, but until recently, I just knew it as the hometown of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.

The town is also known for the Alvin Opry, which I hope to check out sometime (I miss the Opry shows in Kansas, and there's nothing like a good ole fashioned country music show)

But Alvin doesn't just produce fiddles and steel guitars apparently. Two rising stars on the Texas Music Charts - Hunter McKithan, 24, and Seth Candan, 22, hail from Alvin.

McKithan has a huge blues influence in his music. If you don't believe me, just check out "Here In Texas"

And there's no doubt that he's also heavily influenced by classic rock, but the roots of his music are country through and through.

A tale of growing up, "Chance," is another of my favorites by McKithan.

Candan's style of country music has a heavy dose of pop. I definitely recommend "Goodbye" with some great background vocals from Sarah Joe. It's about being at a crossroads in a relationship - "is this hello again, or goodbye?"

And "Crazy For You" is another highlight of the album, "Life". Candan now is based out of College Station, but he has a light-hearted tribute to his hometown of Alvin in "Come On Let's Go."

I first heard McKithan and Candan at the Five-Man Jam at Big Texas Dancehall & Saloon last month in Clear Lake. It's an acoustic session - just five guys and their guitars. They alternate singing songs and then play together towards the end of the set. They played with two excellent artists from north of Houston - Scott Brown and Josh Ward, and fellow South-sider, David Grace.

That experience proves that it's worth going to the other side of town - it was a good opportunity to see a good music venue and some very talented artists.