Max & Heather Stalling with special guest Jade Marie Patek
Meet Max & Heather Stalling, the dynamic singer-songwriter duo from Dallas, TX, bringing a unique blend of lyrics, vocals, and fiddle playing to the heart of Texas and Americana music.
Max Stalling: Armed with a master's degree in Food Science from Texas A&M University, Max traded his lab coat for a guitar, leaving behind a career as a research scientist at Frito Lay to pursue his dreams as a singer-songwriter. Touring, gigging and hustling for 20+ years, Max has built a large and loyal fanbase; playing pretty much every venue you’ve ever heard of and many you haven’t. With 6 studio albums, three live projects, and a chart-topping history in Americana radio, Max is a staple in the Texas/Red Dirt scene. His star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame in Corpus Christi stands as a testament to his enduring impact. Heather Stalling: An award-winning violinist and fiddle player, Heather's musical journey began at the tender age of 3. As a child and young teenager she competed in fiddle contests across Texas and neighboring states; traveling with her parents while winning trophies and fans along the way. At 18, she was recruited out of college to become a member of "The Texas Gold Minors" in Branson, MO. Upon moving back to Texas she was a highly sought after fiddle and worked with notable bands Bob Schneider, Cory Morrow, Johnny Lee and Mark David Manders among others. She later founded blactopGYPSY with friend Andie Kay Joyner, writing songs, touring extensively and putting out two full length studio albums.
Together They Soar: Max and Heather, married since 2007, are finally combining their musical talents to create a captivating project. Max handles rhythm guitar and lead vocals, while Heather brings her exceptional fiddle skills and harmony vocals to the stage. After years of individual success, their collaboration promises a fresh and exciting musical experience.
The Show: Their performances, a blend of Max's 20+ years of original songs, occasional joint compositions, and well-chosen covers, create a show filled with musical prowess, witty banter, and a touch of humor. First-time listeners can expect a fun balance between solid originals, masterful fiddle playing, and engaging storytelling.
New Beginnings: Max and Heather are thrilled to embark on this joint musical journey, sharing their love for music and each other with audiences old and new. Don't miss the chance to witness the magic as they take their show on the road. Check out their first single release: “Circle” on all streaming services and platforms!
--
JADE MARIE PATEK MAKES HER LONG-ANTICIPATED ALBUM DEBUT WITH ‘SONG IN MY HEAD’ AND THE PROJECT IS WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF THE WAIT.
FANS NOSTALGIC FOR THE AUTHENTICITY AND CHARMING TWANG OF 90S COUNTRY MUSIC WILL REJOICE AT PATEK, WHOSE POWERFUL VOICE AND HEARTFELT STORYTELLING ARE A WELCOME BREATH OF FRESH, SOUTHERN AIR.
Patek is a native Texan, having spent her childhood in the towns of Shiner and Rockport. Music is as much a part of her as the Lone Star State is, as artistic talent runs in her family. Patek lists her grandfather, Joe Patek, as one of her biggest musical influences. Back in his heyday, Joe was the leader of Joe Patek’s Orchestra, and is known as a pioneer of Texas Czech polka music.
Now, Patek is pioneering her own sound, taking inspiration from artists from a wide variety of genres — the singer-songwriter names Janis Joplin, Beth Hart, and The Allman Brothers Band as musical influences. Song In My Head is illustrative of this, as the project has a little something to suit everyone’s taste. The Americana album is a genre-defying trip filled with everything from soul to southern rock to country to blues.
Song In My Head follows Patek’s acclaimed 2018 debut EP Fly Bird. The project’s unique sound garnered positive reviews and landed Patek the title of Texas Regional Radio’s New Female Vocalist of the Year. Since then, she’s released a string of singles, and began playing live band shows in 2022, performing at various festivals throughout the United States.
But with Song In My Head, Patek is finally stepping into the spotlight. She’s said before that she loves “music that makes you feel deep things,” a quote that perfectly sums up the album’s listening experience. Over memorable hooks and country guitar licks oozing with Southern charm, Patek channels the raw vocal power of Sheryl Crow and the quick-witted lyricism of Shania Twain. Songs like “Voodoo Child,” the album standout, with its groovy, haunting bassline, and “Passing Through,” an ode to female independence, demonstrate Patek’s gift as a compelling storyteller. But she doesn’t shy away from difficult issues, either. Whether she’s tackling substance use on “Beautiful Liar,” commentating on the experience of United States military veterans on “Just to Survive,” or reflecting on her own shortcomings on “Ruin A Good Thing,” Patek’s songwriting shows both her emotional depth and her refreshing capacity for honesty.
Song In My Head, with its disarming, heartfelt swagger, demonstrates why Patek is so endlessly endearing. The album is nothing if not sincere, from start to finish. It’s a sparkling, triumphant debut, one that solidifies Patek as one of the next big voices in country.
-Elizabeth Braaten (Right Chord Music)
