Zito's journey took off at the age of 19, when he busted into the local St. Louis music scene, developing his sound even further from the stage. His first independent release arrived in 1996, titled "Blue Room" which included raw and funky songs "Hollywood" and "Pull the Trigger". His songwriting experience would break through on his sophomore release titled "America's Most Wanted" in 1999. This album shares his pop sensibilities and intense guitar work. "Crazy People", "Deal Me In" and his own rendition of Elton John's "Rocket Man" all set the pace to bring him into a national audience.
His touring schedule found him crisscrossing the country as well as performing a regular dose of 6 nights a week in and around St. Louis when not on the road. He would also have the opportunity to play overseas for the USO during that same time period. With such a crazed schedule and lifestyle, drugs and alcohol took their effect on him. Zito was sliding downhill fast. Walter Trout pulled Zito aside one night after a show and explained to him that he had been down that path himself, and that it was no good. He told Zito about the responsibility he had to the music and to the people to perform honestly and unaffected. His abilities suffered and he drifted around the country a bit lost and confused, ending up in Southeast Texas. Zito fell in love with his now wife and had found the love and support to help him clean up and refocus on his career.
With a clean slate and real world experiences to include in his songwriting, Zito released "Slow it Down" in 2004. Including songs like "Long Dark Road," "Change My Ways" and the title track, "Slow it Down" Zito share what life experiences had taught him. He formed a new solid band and began again playing full-time across the country with over 250 shows in 2005. "Music can change everything - how you feel, how you see and what you believe," Zito explains.
He would find his true sound from all his experiences, new and old, and release his fourth album, "Superman" in 2006. Touted as "Soulful Pop" critics would pen it as Zito's sound with his voice and vocals rising above the music. His formative influences blend with additional musical heroes and legends such as Prince, Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, SRV, Walter Trout, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Danny Gatton, and even rising artists like John Mayer. His journey has lead him to a critical point in his life and career to a larger audience and sharing the stage with national recording artists such as Chuck Berry, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tab Benoit, Walter Trout, Bernard Allison, Coco Montoya, Joe Bonamassa and many more.
In 2007, Zito's path has crossed with Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Music. Within months he's penned a deal and gained full support with Chortkoff's label Eclecto Groove Records and Rick Booth of Intrepid Artists. With a new chapter of his life unfolding – full label backing, new management and larger audiences, Zito only begun to scratch the musical surface yet again.
After years of tirelessly touring and four independently released projects under his belt, 2008 heralded the national debut of Zito's album "Today" on Eclecto Groove Records. Boasting top notch production values with the guidance of producers David Z. (Prince, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Jonny Lang) and Tony Braunagel (Eric Burdon, Taj Mahal, Phantom Blues Band), along with assistance from a team of world class musicians including keyboardist Bentmont Tench (Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash) and bassist James "Hutch Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, Joe Cocker), Zito realized his most satisfying and accomplished work to date. "Today" garnered high praise and critical acclaim for Zito's strengthened focus on songwriting and his resulting efforts landed his album on the Billboard Blues charts for six weeks, in addition to daily rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio over the past year.
Now Zito returns with his follow up effort "Pearl River," accompanied by the skillfully adept David Z. sitting in once again at the helm of the producer's chair, along with label CEO Randy Chortkoff. With his guitar back to the forefront Zito revisits his musical roots while still maintaining an emphasis on his affective songwriting. "Pearl River" stands as another solid achievement by Mike Zito who is joined this time out by a handful of special guests including Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Reese Wynans (Double Trouble), Susan Cowsill, Lynwood Slim and Jumpin' Johnny Sansone. The result is a rollicking slice of Americana served up with heaping slabs of greasy New Orleans funk, gritty blues and good old fashioned rock 'n' roll.
Website: Mike Zito
You can also see Mike Zito as Mike Zito & The Wheel on Last.fm here: Mike Zito & The Wheel
Gone To Texas
Mike Zito Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I’ve gone to Texas baby
With my guitar by my side
With my guitar by my side
I’m gonna find me a woman
And lord I’m gonna make her mine
Well I’ve gone to Texas baby
I’m gonna start my life again
Well I’ve gone to Texas baby
I’m gonna start my life again
I’m gonna get down in the lone star
And wash away my sin
Just like those before me
Down to the Gulf of Mexico
New ? gonna broaden my horizon
Save my soul
I’ve gone to Texas baby
My eyes have seen the glory
One step at a time
My eyes have seen the glory
One step at a time
I found hope and redemption
And the skies as big as God
Well I’ve gone to Texas baby
With my guitar by my side
Well I’ve gone to Texas baby
With my guitar by my side
Well I found me a woman
Lord I made her mine
Well I’ve gone to Texas baby x4
In the song "Gone To Texas" by Mike Zito, the lyrics depict a journey of self-discovery and redemption. The singer has decided to leave everything behind and start afresh in Texas, with his guitar as his only companion. He hopes to find love and make it his own, symbolizing a longing for stability and emotional connection.
The repetition of the line "I've gone to Texas, baby" emphasizes the singer's determination to make a fresh start and leave his past behind. The mention of washing away his sins in the Lone Star State suggests that he is seeking forgiveness and personal growth. The imagery of those who have come before him, heading to the Gulf of Mexico, represents a desire to learn from their experiences and broaden his perspective.
The chorus, with its reference to "glory" and "hope and redemption," suggests that the singer has found solace in his journey. Texas, with its vast landscapes and open skies, is portrayed as a place where he can find a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper connection to something greater than himself.
Overall, "Gone To Texas" is a song about leaving the past behind, seeking a fresh start, and finding hope and redemption in a new place.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I’ve gone to Texas baby
I have made the decision to go to Texas, baby.
With my guitar by my side
I have brought my guitar along with me.
I gone to Texas baby
I have indeed gone to Texas, baby.
I’m gonna find me a woman
I am determined to find a woman.
And lord I’m gonna make her mine
And, oh Lord, I am going to make her mine.
I’m gonna start my life again
I am going to begin my life anew.
I’m gonna get down in the lone star
I am going to immerse myself in the vastness of Texas.
And wash away my sin
And cleanse myself of my past mistakes.
Just like those before me
Similar to those who came before me.
Down to the Gulf of Mexico
Venturing all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
New ? gonna broaden my horizon
These new experiences will expand my perspective.
Save my soul
And save my soul from the troubles I've faced.
My eyes have seen the glory
I have witnessed the greatness and beauty.
One step at a time
Taking things gradually, one step at a time.
I found hope and redemption
I have discovered hope and forgiveness.
And the skies as big as God
And the skies that feel infinite, like God.
Well I found me a woman
Well, I have indeed found a woman.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mike Zito
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joseph Maslowski
the blend between sax and guitar is awesome. good good stuff.
Dustin B
Beautiful. Love the sax!
rtkl13
Hell yeah !.....I gave up sax as a kid cuz it just wasn't as cool as the guitar.but damn this man makes it still a possibility, excellent job guys
Port A Robbie
and just for the record.....Lewis on keyboards.....is a staple ingredient of a recipe for awesomeness....
David Bergin
Didn’t he play for the late Great, Freddie King?
fetermcblues
Man ..this rock so good !!
Phil Phucas
True Badass!
mich wheaton
Sounds ready for The Live Oak in Fort Worth to me !!!
Jean Blouin
Thank you for the Quality!
countryboy6767
More here now!!!! https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3294904153887091&id=100001026151518