Long before they were the successful country band they are today, Midland was like so many other aspiring musicians, traveling the country, barely getting by and doing whatever it took to get to the next gig.  It’s in those times that Mark, Cameron and Jess formed their unbreakable bond as a band.  Mark says of that time, “It’s everything that you think it would be. You know, we’re playing small places we’re playing out all across Texas, places sometimes we’ve never been before, usually people that have absolutely no clue who we are, so you’re coming in with people that are probably a little bit cynical.”

Besides trying to win over one fan at a time, it was the tight quarters that also brought them together.  Mark says, “We’re doing six, seven, eight hours, nine hours in Cam’s F-250 with all of our equipment in the back without a U-Haul trailer. When we started off, I mean I’m talking about hauling off to play shows in Midland, in Marfa, in West Texas, praying that it doesn’t rain because we didn’t have the money to even rent a U-Haul. There’s a camaraderie when you’re crammin’ five, six guys in a truck. And I think that’s been a huge part of what’s been preparing us.  And it’s the humility, but it’s also the ability to get along. And when you have nothing and you’re literally starting from the bottom and you’re having the time of your life, then I think you know you’re doing the right thing.”

These days, Midland, whose latest single, “Burn Out,” is steadily climbing the charts, are as close as ever, but they have a lot more room to spread out on a tour bus, and they’re able to leave the driving to someone else.

Midland – early bonding  :54

Mark Wystrach – “It’s everything that you think it would be. You know, we’re playing small places we’re playing out all across Texas, places sometimes we’ve never been before, usually people that have absolutely no clue who we are, so you’re coming in with people that are probably a little bit cynical. And also we’re doing six, seven, eight hours, nine hours in Cam’s F-250 with all of our equipment in the back without a U-Haul trailer. When we started off, I mean I’m talking about hauling off to play shows in Midland, in Marfa, in West Texas, praying that it doesn’t rain because we didn’t have the money to even rent a U-Haul. There’s a camaraderie when you’re crammin’ five, six guys in a truck. And I think that’s been a huge part of what’s been preparing us.  And it’s the humility, but it’s also the ability to get along. And when you have nothing and you’re literally starting from the bottom and you’re having the time of your life, then I think you know you’re doing the right thing.”