Mike Donnell Band - "Bullet Train"

If there’s one thing people will learn about me, it’s that I am a large supporter of our troops, police officers, and first responders.  This is no political statement, but I will always share my appreciation to those that have served and continue to serve.  Mike Donnell of the Mike Donnell Band served as a Marine and I want to thank him for his service.  I would not be here or you reading this, without people like Mike bravely serving this great country.  Thank you, Mike.

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I came across this band after looking through Instagram a while back and enjoyed a video that they posted.  I decided to look into their music and really enjoyed some of their songs, most notably “Bullet Train.”  As I looked through their album, “Feels So Right,” I noticed that they seem to have some rock inspired trends through some of their songs.  Some digging on their band bio confirmed that Donnell had a Houston based rock band years prior, Fighting Gemini.  You’ll notice this right away when you hear the powerful vocals that come from Donnell’s mic.
 
This does not mean for a second mean that every song is some high octane experience.  “Lead The Way” touches on a topic that is so relevant in our technology based world where people are so consumed with their phones and mobile devices.  Hell, we are all guilty of this at sometimes, but it can really be tough to meet new people and find love if your face is buried in Facebook all the time.  
 
Hey, someone just liked my post on Pitstop for Country!
 
But in all seriousness, as a millennial, I see this all the time and cringe when I think about how society has changed.  We are closer and more connected than ever, yet so distant at the same time.  Donnell paints the picture how he’s the man “that make you breakfast” and will stand by her side no matter what.  She has to have faith in him to essentially be a good lover to her, but one must also take the risk to make it happen and find that connection with someone in the first place.  This means putting yourself out there instead of hiding behind your social media people!
 
Getting back to “Bullet Train” here, I reached out to Mike Donnell and he kindly provided me with some background on his exceptional song.

I guess you could say I started writing this song when I was deployed to Iraq with the 6th Marines. We would always say soon as we get back to base that we were going to be moving 1000 miles an hour when we head home. It wasn't until one night playing out of town with the band that I put it all together. It came flooding in and everything started to fit. I finished the song that same night I started it. To me its about being torn between "Doing what you need to do" and "Missing what you love" - Stuck somewhere there in the middle. No matter if you're deployed over seas, police, fire and rescue, 1st responder, work out of town on an oil rig or drive a truck. You know what its like to have to miss someone being gone doing what you gotta do.
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Like one of the lines in the song says, "I thank the Lord everyday, for sending you my way, why am I chasing these dreams, when she gives me all I ever need" This song hits home to a lot of people. 

There are are times where I think we can be too hard on artists for their work.  The approach I have this this website is shining a light on what I enjoy and hoping to share it with others.  This song hits a chord with me because I as I read Mike’s story behind the song, I put myself in his shoes.  This guy was in a foreign place without his family.  He was likely shot at, living in different conditions than nice and comfy at home on the couch.  That takes guts and it takes sacrifice.  It means he had to stay focused on the job at hand: protecting this country we call home.  It means being away from family for long periods of time.  It meant putting his country first over his own desires and relationships during deployment.  Never forget that while your cuddled up with your loved one on a Friday night, someone, somewhere, is fighting a fire, working on a rig, or even getting shot at by terrorists and is away from their family.  Don’t take it for granted.
 
Give this great song a listen and check out the rest of their album, “Feels so Right”
 
“We are proud to say it is #61 on the "Most Streamed songs in Texas" chart! Get it everywhere now! Thanks y'all! www.MikeDonnellBand.com” - Mike Donnell

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