Arizona isn't a state usually known for its country music. Sure, it's a state that's given us Dierks Bentley and the highly-underrated Michael Peterson, but who else? Frank Ortega, that's who. Although he's not as recognizable a name as the men I just mentioned, Ortega has achieved regional and independent success with his song "Hot Women, Cold Beer" last year. (As a shout-out to another underrated artist whose work I really enjoy, he wrote the song with James House.) This time, he's released "My Old Man," written by Phil O'Donnell (whose name appears on several Craig Morgan songs) and Gary Hannan. 

With a clever lyric referencing a "drug problem" (i.e., he was "drug" to church), the lyrics are quick to paint a picture. Here's a boy who grows up under the proper raising of a conservative, religious Southern dad: a boy who puts his Tooth Fairy money in the offering plate, who praises his father for co-signing on that first car, and then sums up his feelings with "damn that heart attack" — a line that's slightly jarring at first, but comes into clearer context when he mentions said father's death more explicitly in the next verse. Ortega's voice is strong and slightly reminiscent of Eddie Montgomery, and it's backed by a muscular, Southern rock-ish production that indeed makes this song feel like a lost cut from an early Montgomery Gentry album. Ortega has said that he identifies with the song because he nearly lost his own father. 

Independent artists are often hard to judge — sure, there are countless good songs out there, but who's to say whether this song or that song will be a dark-horse hit (Steve Azar, I'm looking at you). Whether or not "My Old Man" ever makes the charts, Frank Ortega already has a decent enough amount of under-the-radar success, so at least the song isn't going totally ignored. But if it does somehow end up in the Top 40, I sure won't be complaining.

You can listen to this song by clicking here.

You can support Frank Ortega by purchasing this single at Amazon | iTunes.