Up And Coming New Nashville- Austin Law

Michael Austin can tell some stories about the road he’s traveled to where he stands today. He’s pretty much seen it all as a member of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, working everything from street patrol to high security gang detail. He’s proudly served our country as a member of the United States Air Force during times of conflict. Now the burly lawman is trying his hand in a different line of public service: as leader of the renegade country outfit Austin Law!

Austin was born in the small town of Cole Turkey Acres, Missouri. As a teen traveling back and forth across the country, he developed a taste for artists like the Eagles, Alabama, the Marshall Tucker Band, and of course, Johnny Cash. After lying about his age to join the Air Force at just 17, Austin ended up in California four years later, playing in a number of bands and developing the smooth, warm sounds that characterize his band’s debut album, Neon Halo.

Based out of Southern California, the eight-member group brings a wealth of talent and influences to the table, incorporating modern rock, deep roots country and traditional bluegrass into the Austin Law sound. Veteran Nashville producer Eddie Gore helmed the project.

“I like to call it ‘California Country’ because these are city folks who love country music,” says Gore. “They aren’t singing about mud flaps and chickens and stuff they don’t know about. They’re just a bunch of true country music lovers!”

When pressed, Austin confesses he is wary of labeling his band’s music too narrowly. “I guess you could say there’s a lot of duality in my music, and in my life,” he says matter-of-factly.

After all, this is a man who was trained in both opera and special operations in the Air Force; a man who still writes his mother hand-written letters every month and police reports during the day; and a man that legendary Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell once mistook for a bouncer until the linebacker-sized singer got up on stage and started his set.

Somewhere along the way, Austin says, he ended up employed by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. If careers in law enforcement and country music seem mutually exclusive at first glance, don’t worry, Austin has found a way to juggle the two, although sometimes not without great personal risk in the process!

“I was actually on the phone one day with my producer, Eddie, discussing plans for Neon Halo when I got dispatched on a call,” says Austin. The pending legal case prevents him from discussing any specific details, but Gore remembers the episode vividly.

"I was on the other end of the line, when all of a sudden I hear Michael say "Put down the gun! - repeatly!" Gore remembers. "I listend to the entire exchange on my end for almost 45 minutes before my phone finally died. To be honest, after that I wasn't sure whether we were gonna make a record or not!" he says, chuckling.

Fortunately, Austin lived to tell the story and record another song.

"Sometimes I sit back and wonder just what I've got myself into!" he says, laughing and shaking his head. For the time being, however, it's just another day on the job for Michael Austin.

Austin Law has released it's first radio single off their album of the same name, Neon Halo. You can hear the new single here.