Rock has never been this cool. And small town rockers Cody Phifer and the Starlight Express are ready to show you why.

From the humble surroundings of Detroit, Texas comes singer-songwriter Cody Phifer. Formerly the front man of various local area bands Living By Numbers and The Fix, he will release a full length solo album on Insider Records, due out later this year.

Influenced by the likes of Neil Young, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Eddie and the Crusiers, Johnny Cash, Ryan Adams, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Gram Parsons, to name a few, Phifer reflects a down home alternative-country sound with elements of funk, soul and indie rock flair.

"I write songs from the heart, all of my songs are real stories or situations that I or someone I know has been in most taking place in the town I grew up in Detroit, Texas," says Phifer. His debut album, From My Heart To Yours is being self-recorded and produced by Phifer.

The seeds of his heart grew listening to his grandfather play southern gospel songs as a child. It was then that Phifer knew he had developed a passion for music at a young age.

"Pepaw would usually play guitar or steel guitar and I remember watching him and thinking how amazing he was and wanting to be able to do the same someday," says Phifer, noting that he is an primary influence in his music.

Considered to have a musical background that is a melting pot of sorts, he grew up listening to soul, classic country, singer-songwriters of the late '60s and early '70s, southern gospel, bluegrass and the alternative music of the early '90s. As a young boy growing up in Detroit, he followed up on the music he listened to by playing guitar, singing and writing songs at an early age. Phifer would sit with his fathers Gibson Songbird and write songs based on simple melodies. But as many adolescents, Phifer became pre-occupied, forcing a lull, which made him put down the guitar twice.

Tragedy hit Phifer unexpectedly, as his best friend Bradley Samuel "Boe" Powell passed away in 2002. Music once again became an outlet for expression in his life, only this time on a much greater level.

"It was Boe's dream to be in a band and play guitar and I had always wanted to write lyrics and sing, so I figured for him, I could try and live our dreams together," explains Phifer. "when I had finished achieving what Boe wanted, it became a passion for me and I knew I had to carry on. It became a dream for me to go further and take the dream as far as it could go."

The third time was indeed a charm. Studying under the guidance of local singer/songwriter and good friend Brian Romero in 2003, Phifer honed his abilities and practiced tirelessly until his body would not allow. Phifer wanted to elevate his skills to and began peforming live with the punk rock band Living By Numbers in the fall 2003. After a year of playing dates in Dallas and surrounding area, Phifer yearned to get back to his roots, forming his solo project, and then recruiting elite musicians from the area to form his band The Starlight Express. Thereafter, he was signed to Paris indie label Insider Records by owner Rickey Bond.

Now, time will tell whether Cody Phifer and the Starlight Express will shine. For Phifer, success is defined by how his music impacts the people who listen.

"When it comes down to it, I really just want to have fun and do something I enjoy with my life," Phifer adds. "and if I can help save someone's life or make someone feel like they aren't the only ones going through the problems life can bring--that just gives me an extra push to keep on."