However, there is substance to this guy who collects Hank Williams' quotes and hoards Glen Campbell CDs.

With a worthy heritage starting at the famed North Hollywood Palomino Club and culminating in his latest independently released CD, Stardust Cowboy (Mountain Records) Lee is forging a determined musical career.

" I make music because I love it," muses Lee who recently opened for a 10,000 strong Mavericks crowd. "It still amazes me, all that applause for little songs that I wrote on a big piece of wood with six metal stings tied to the top." The big piece of wood is a Guild guitar, played in tribute to the memory of John Denver whom Lee has long admired.

A recent LA Music Awards "Country Artist Of The Year" winner, Lee wrote all ten songs on Stardust Cowboy. Music AND lyrics, isn't that a rarity? "Only in Nashville," he laughs.

With two CDs to his credit and a hard working road band, the versatile Lee is not waiting on Music Row for cloning approval. Gene Harbrecht, music journalist for the Orange County Register, adds, " This guy's music flat out kicks tail ...its country but it's different."

The difference has created healthy overdue interest in the music. But it won't necessarily be Nash-Vegas music primers who steal the deal with Lee. " We're in a real good position ...a bunch of labels have expressed interest in us ...but I want a certain level of artistic freedom."

Lee protects the freedom on this selfproduced CD by having done all the artwork and music arrangements. A little like Garth who records, and then gives, the completed package to his music distributor? "I did the album the way I thought it should be, without undue interference", says Lee.

"Nashville does not give credit to the sophistication of the modern country audience. I find it interesting that the most successful artists who came out of the "Class of `91" (Alan Jackson, Clint Black and Dwight Yoakam) are guys who wrote their own material."

Lee, whose CD player spins Radney Foster in admiration and Buck Owens for inspiration is clearly enamoured by song writing. " But I only write when the mood strikes me ? sometimes not for weeks or months ? I have to be alone, and it has to be late." Stardust Cowboy kick-starts with a Duane Eddy type twang and the radio-friendly, "Memphis Rain." The late nights and isolation become apparent on this disk, as it cuts through moods and styles all punctuated with a clear tenor voice. The CD continues with its obvious Roy Orbison influences and a Chris Isaak textured sound. The music remains consistent.

Consistently good. The band plays a tight rhythmic undertow, which neither hampers nor hides the vocals. The musicianship, honed from a lengthy association with Lee, countless gigs, and strong song familiarity, receives a welldeserved nod from this reviewer.

Standout tracks include, "Crazy for crying," a lover's lament over departed romance that has the band riding the vocals in a frenzied race to the end. "Memphis Rain" if given the needed radio spins, has the ability to launch Lee to an assured future.

The Mavericks styled, " Heart of mine" is an accordion laced love song dripping with pathos and a lyrical structure that, again, highlights the talents of an accomplished writer.

Marc Corey Lee promotes one blazing ambition: to get his music to as many people as possible, and to be able to succeed enough to continue making music his own way.

Stardust Cowboy reinforces those possibilities.