Sabrina Bates, News Editor
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:48 pm

They are cousins only by marriage, but for Micah Arnold and Jonathan McDowell, country music is definitely in their blood. Now, they will have the opportunity to showcase their family talent as they set out into the country music industry with talent scout Vicki Love.
Love came back to her roots in Dresden last month for a reprieve from the hectic industry. But, she lacked the ability to dawdle and soon sought out what will be her next project.
It didn’t take much time once Love heard the vocal talents of Arnold and read the original songs created by his cousin McDowell.
Arnold, 27, of Gleason said he starting singing at the ripe age of three and from there, he was stage-bound with the help of his father, Jim.
“Music has been my life. My dad grew up in country music and I adapted to it. Now it is a part of me,” Arnold shared.
Arnold’s history in country music ranges from breaking into the business with Loretta Lynn and recording songs in Hurricane Mills to Music Row.
“I’ve been trying to break into the country music business for years,” Arnold said. After leaving UT Martin with two years of college under his belt, Arnold took off for Nashville and eventually came home when the big break didn’t come to fruition. With excitement about what the future will bring, Arnold says working with Love has been a dream come true.
“She’s been great, real supportive of me,” Arnold said.
The budding artist has admiration for country music icon George Strait, but says his goal is to never try and mimic anyone else on the stage.
“I like to have a lot of energy. I want the audience to have a good time and I put my feelings into it. I’m from Gleason. I come from a small town and I’m just a good ol’ country boy,” he added.
McDowell’s story is quite similar. At 29-years-old, McDowell has spent much of his adult life working in law enforcement, but his passion has always been country music.
“I get my inspiration from my three-year-old daughter, Brooklyn Renee,” McDowell shared.
The Gleason resident and Weakley County Sheriff’s deputy said he received a music scholarship to a university in Mississippi where he honed his skills with instruments including the pen.
McDowell has a vocal talent, plays bass guitar and enjoys writing his own country music songs.
He said of his three country music dreams, he has already fulfilled two by performing on the Ryman Stage in Nashville and being featured as a guest artist at the Grand Ole Opry.
“I enjoy writing and playing country music,” McDowell said.
McDowell said the best piece of advice he ever received came from fellow artist Jack green.
“He told me if I hadn’t heard ‘no’ 10 times, then I wasn’t trying. If you give up, nobody is going to give you a chance. All it takes is that one person to give you a chance,” McDowell shared.
This talent said he has also never met a stranger and wants people to wave when they see him.
While McDowell also has an affection for George Strait’s style of music, he confessed his favorite artist was Vern Gosdin.
Both artists said they have no problem performing on stage.
McDowell actually made it through the first audition of Nashville Star.
Arnold was named the West Tennessee Idol finalist and a runner-up in the state finals.
Love has planned a community concert in Gleason at 9 p.m. on Friday at the American Legion for Arnold, McDowell and the band currently known as The Micah Arnold Band.
The publicist said security will be available during the show that night and commended the behind the scenes efforts of Michael Whitney and Loy Gail Mansfield.
“Many props to them. Every day Michael watches over me,” Love shared.
She said she is looking forward to honing the new talent and presenting them to country music powerhouse players at an invitation-only concert in January at the legendary Tootsies in Nashville. Love is also working to secure transportation to Nashville for the band’s fan base.
Other members of the band include Nick Stroud, acoustics; Matt Coffey, lead guitar; Qwin Messer, bass guitar and Ricky Morgan on drums.
The public is invited to Friday’s show in Gleason.
WCP 11.26.09