As a senior in high school, Coby decided that a sports career was probably not a realistic future but a career in music definitely could be. After graduating, he picked the guitar back up and began singing and writing. He began honing his skills once he moved to San Marcos, Texas to attend school at Texas State University.

In July of 2002, Coby sang in a national talent show and won 1st place. At that point he started believing that maybe he did have what it took to be successful as a singer. For the rest of 2002 he searched for a working band to be a part of and even auditioned for one new band that was forming. The style of these bands didn't quite fit the style that he was looking for so he began forming his own band in January of 2003. By late spring, he had 6 players in place and the Coby McDonald Band was born. In June 2003, along with 30 other bands, CMB participated in a 'Battle of the Bands' in Terrell, TX and tied for 1st place.

Today, CMB is a premiere country band on the North Texas club circuit. They have also opened up for numerous national acts including Merle Haggard, Tracy Lawrence, Randy Rogers Band, Colin Raye and nemerous others. CMB performed in front of more than 10,000 people at the Texas Motor Speedway.

He is a three-time Terry Award "Male Vocalist of the Year" nominee and CMB has been the reigning Dallas Band of the Year since 2006.

"Anyone who's passionate about music is emotional," says the two time winner of the coveted Terry Awards Male Vocalist Of The Year. "I'm at peace with where I am in life." "I'm 34 yrs. old and am so fortunate to be able to spend alot of my time with the three most beautiful women in the world." The three beautiful women Michaels is referring to would be his three daughters, Madison Jean (5yrs) and Hannah Jordan (4yrs) and Ashten Joee (6mo).

Indeed, Michael's own surging mid-tempo "Small Town USA" is a mission statement about music's ability to be more than the soundtrack for one's life-but a companion that is as much a part of defining the moments as the place or what's said.

"That song is totally about my life and how I grew up...and the way certain songs just put you in the moment, when it's happening and years later when they catch you off guard, transporting you again."

Jay Michaels, raised in tiny Seymour, Texas, is as typical as they come. Perhaps the shortest in the history of high school football, but he made the team. He loved some girls. He had some laughs. He went to college. He found a dream. And then he hung on with everything he had.

Jay's first stent of road life spanned across more than 13 states. "I remember opening for Merle in Longview, Texas and then waking up 24 hrs. later in a run-down motel in Jackson, Wyoming." This charismatic singer songwriter's charm and warm timbered vocals was certainly tested on his first tour.

Appropriately enough, this singer-songwriter has been one of DFW's most admired recording artist over the last decade. Could it be the deepening maturity of a young man who has experienced enough of life to realize who he is but how much he still doesn't understand?

Certainly sure-handed to this point in his career, Jay Michaels has, if anything, tightened his artistic grip. He has become secure in himself-accepting of his strengths while mindful of his challenges.

"Live and Learn," Michaels' most recent title track that he penned about the struggles of life and the maturity one gains as one gets older has just now become available at his live shows. The accumulated experiences that have shaped his life and music trace all the way back to his teenage years spent performing in and around his hometown. They include the devotion he has to his three daughters, and most importantly his abiding, life-long faith, which Michaels continues to embrace and explore.

"Where I'm from, no matter what you listen to, you talk country, you think country, you are country...And that's a good thing. It means something. And, truly, when you scrape it all away, that's who I am. So that'll always be the place I come back to."

Having formally studied music since the age of 12, and playing professionally from 14 to the present, it's easy to see what a large part of his life has been devoted to this labor of love. From growing up listening to Ray Price, George Jones, Charlie Pride, Waylon Jennings and too many others to mention, to watching countless hours of the Longhorn Ballroom, Hee Haw, and the Grand Ol' Opry (when they would show it), Keith was instilled with a strong appreciation for true country singers. Add that to years of gospel influence from performing in the church choir, and you start to understand his approach to singing.

Jamie has come a long way from kicking up dust out on back country roads; now he’s playing to fans kicking up sawdust in some of Texas’ most prestigious honkytonks and dancehalls. Performing with legends like Charlie Daniels, writing songs for Hal Ketchum, Kevin Fowler, Ken Mellons, and many other great Texas performers.

Despite working with some big names, Jamie has forged his own path in the music industry. He has relied on his own songwriting skills to establish himself as one of the top Texas acts. Sometimes, he is perceived as a loner, or a rebel, a man who does things his own way; he still is humble in that fact that his success didn’t come easy.

His first two albums, “No Regrets” (2001) and “Between These Lines” (2004) are where Jamie began to hone his skills as a Texas song writer. These albums featured songs like “Last Call,” “Don’t Try to Find Me,” and “One Tequila” which struck a chord with listeners and formed the roots of a strong and devoted fan following. All of these singles hit the top ten or better on Texas music charts. But Jamie, not being satisfied with being in that company, was determined to make it, and found even greater success with his next album “Drive.”

With three top five singles, the album “Drive” (2007) truly put Jamie on the map. “ Any Way You Want Me To, “Whiskey Night,” and “Drive,” which reached #1, caused Jamie‘s notoriety to sky rocket with music critics and fans alike.

Despite having a total of four albums that produced fourteen singles which almost all reached top ten on the music charts, Jamie hasn’t had the luxury of relying on corporate dollars to spur his popularity. His star is rising from the support of his long time fans, using grassroots efforts to fill venues. Like a Texas wildfire, word of mouth has spread Jamie’s music capturing the hearts of young and old alike. Every show is getting bigger and better, and Jamie has his fans to thank for that.

Now, with “Sideways,” (2010) Jamie has continued his journey as a singer/songwriter, evolving in a new direction. The album, while still true to his roots, communicates Jamie and the band’s passion for delivering amazing music, carefully crafted songs, and an overall great album. “I Can Party When I Need To,” has become a honky tonk anthem. While “Easier by Now”, is a haunting tribute to a lost love. Both of these two top ten singles are fan favorites at his shows.

Success hasn’t changed the boy from the farm; it’s just driven him to go further on his own terms. And it seems for the moment, Jamie is happy to “Enjoy the Ride.”