Having first met in September of 1994, Mike Turner and Steve Sawyer spent the next five years playing in the classic rock-and-roll band, VINTAGE. As the band's individual interests brought about its eventual break-up in 1999, Steve expressed an interest in forming a roots-country and blues band reminiscent of the sounds from Nashville of the 60's and 70's. Although he had never played in a country band, Mike was game and, on a hunch called on an old friend of 20 years past, Ronnie Maness. Ronnie, a veteran of the local country and folk scene, was enthusiastic about the prospects of a band reviving the sound that had shaped the country sound so many years before. A steady guitar player and solid performer on harmonica, Ronnie helped the new lineup bridge the sound between country and pop-oldies. The last piece of the puzzle came in the person of drummer Dan Heard, former band mate of Steve and Ronnie in different groups. It was Ronnie who made the call to Dan and coaxed him from a ten-year retirement, striking the last fine balance in instrumentation. After performing their first gig as the Stallions, it was obvious to all present that a sound was there, shaping MIDNIGHT RIDE into a solid, viable force on the Houston music scene.
