Just a stone's throw down the road from Dallas lies the sleepy rural town of Gunter, Texas. Gunter is the home of brothers Tim and Kerry "Kid" Pelley, and when they joined forces with their sister Dorothy Reed and the late Johnny Mac Cates to write some songs, the Pelleys woke up Gunter. Now, their music will wake up the rest of us.

Joined by vocalists Troy Werner and Paul Myers, the Pelleys have created their group's self-titled debut album "Greetings from Texas." The result is cutting-edge modern country, inspirational, and swing music that's so real, you'll swear you're in the Lone Star State every time you hear it. Some genius songwriting and performing takes place on this album.

The banjos, dobros, keyboards, mandolins and smooth guitars reflect the feel of the beautiful brand of country music inherent in the North Texas region. And the superlative lyrics make listening to "Greetings from Texas" more than worthwhile. It's music that'll get you happy...pep you up...and make you think. It'll also make you thank God for the luck He's blessed you with.

"Ordinary Man" is a masterpiece that must have certainly come to writers Tim, Dorothy, and Troy directly from Heaven: "Let my heart be strong enough to lift someone who's weary / Let my eyes see clear enough to lead someone who's blind / And let my mind be wise enough to teach someone of Your love / Let this ordinary man make a difference in this life."

The Louisiana Cajun-music influence is strongly reflected in "The Girl I Go With." Its squeezebox, heavy kettle drum, and toe-tappin' beat are maintained throughout this song, with some of the smartest, most "grit-kickin'" lyrics.

"Rodeos and Radios" is the ballad of the rodeo bullrider who leaves his devoted lady for his first love (that rodeo), after "saddling up his pickup truck, with 400 miles to go, for an eight-second ride." It speaks of the only thing that can soothe this cowboy's mind: the all-night country music show on the radio that accompanies him on his dedicated journey. Rodeos...and radios.

On the majestic "Where Eagles Fly" a man reflects on his hopes and dreams. "Today I watched an eagle soar, his wings upon the wind / I thought of how I'd like to try and fly as high as him / Just leave behind my broken dreams and reach up for the sky / And with you to help me spread my wings, I'm sure that I could fly."

The riff in "Friday Night Blues" will get you set to go Texas two-steppin'. That "Temporary Relief" (any guess what it might be?) is "better than no relief at all."

And when it's agreed that she "Never Wanted Anybody She Had," who's talking...cowboys at a corral, or some guys at their high school reunion? You be the judge.

Even the beginning of life is celebrated on this album with "Ocean Blue Eyes," which is dedicated to newborn babies and their proud parents, who can see an ocean-full of thought in those tiny eyes. Here is every parent's prayer, in a song that anybody who's ever been a mom or dad can relate to.

For some genius lyrics and phenomenal performances, listen to the songs on "Greetings from Texas"...but for the ultimate music rush, get the whole album. If you're a country music fan--whether from the deep South, out West, the great white North, or Midtown Manhattan--you'll be glad you did.