MIKE SHORT JR. BUCKLES UP WITH BELTENVY

NASHVILLE – When country music artist Mike Short Jr. and his band Statewide hit the road for their summer tour, they’ll wear custom belt buckles and straps designed from BeltEnvy.com, an online national retailer based in Villanova, PA.

“Teaming up with BeltEnvy is the perfect fit for Mike Short Jr.”, said Short’s Marketing Manager Mike Pace. “The belt buckles will appeal to Mike’s young and growing fan base who seek style in everything they do, whether it’s spending time with friends or enjoying a night out on the town.”

Launched in 2011, BeltEnvy buckles and straps are made in America and combine classic design elements with inspiration drawn from nature, fashion, and timeless style. Handcrafted in BeltEnvy’s studio, the buckles highlight one’s individual taste and come in seasonal varieties, monogramed, or customized. The buckles start at $60.00. Straps are made from high-quality Tuscany leather or suede and come in a variety of colors starting at $55.00.

“BeltEnvy buckles are a wearable piece of artwork that heightens one’s sense of fashion and individual spirit,” said Jackie Arch, BeltEnvy owner and designer. “We recognized Mike’s passion, individual spirit, integrity, and his gift of music which inspired our men’s line of custom buckles. We are working closely together to elevate the classic buckle with more designs, styles and personality.”

A versatile singer and songwriter, Mike Short Jr., 22, is an emerging country music recording artist from Nashville with a soulful, edgy country rock sound with a recognizable southern twang.

Short is one of the fastest-growing talents to come out of Music Row. He recently won “Video of-the-Year” honors for his “Drive Bye” music video at the first-annual Nashville Universe Awards singer and songwriter competition, was a former Country Music Television reality contestant, was previously named “Country Boy of the Year” by voting customers of Country Girl/Country Boy apparel,  and voted one of 13 finalists in American Country Star Season Two international singing competition, outlasting more than 1,000 contestants during the 26-week, summer-long competition.

Short is originally from Ottsville, PA. He moved from his hometown to Nashville in 2009 to pursue a music career and study at Middle Tennessee State University. He is currently a senior majoring in Agricultural Business with a minor in Music. Shortly after moving, he recorded a 12-song debut CD titled “Blame it on Me”. He followed that up with a second eight-song music CD titled “Stirrin’ Things Up”.

The partnership with BeltEnvy.com represents a growing list of clothing sponsors for Mike Short Jr. In 2012 Short teamed up with national outdoor clothier Carhartt, who supplies designer shirts and jeans during all performances. Short also wears M.L. Leddy’s Cowboy Boots provided by Texas National Outfitters.

For the latest Mike Short Jr. and Statewide performance schedule, bookings, music, merchandise and other information, visit www.mikeshortjr.com. Fans can also follow Mike Short Jr. on Twitter @mikeshortjr or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/mikeshortjrandstatewide. For more information about BeltEnvy.com, visit www.beltenvy.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeltEnvy or follow on Twitter @BeltEnvy.

MIKE SHORT JR. A FINALIST IN ‘AMERICAN COUNTRY SINGER’ COMPETITION

NASHVILLE – Nashville recording artist and former Country Music Television reality star Mike Short Jr. was named one of 13 finalists in American Country Star Season Two international singing competition. Short beat out more than 1,000 entries to compete for the Grand Champion World Title in ACS’s World Finals ShootOut on Sunday, Oct. 28th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Wild Wing Cafe in Franklin, Tennessee.

The 26-week, summer-long American Country Star competition included weekly auditions that showcased 10 to 12 contestants, all vying for a semi-finals invitation. The field was narrowed to 20 to perform during a three-week semi-finals competition. The Finals competition was narrowed to 13 artists with the best of the field narrowed to a final two, who will perform one final song for the title, American Country Star-Grand Champion-Nashville 2012.    

A versatile singer and songwriter, Mike Short Jr., 21, is a rising country music recording artist with a soulful, edgy country rock sound and a southern twang popular among big-named artists. Music critics have called him an “extremely well-polished Country artist”. Short’s second music video “Drive By” recently earned five stars – the highest possible – from Country Music Entertainment magazine.

Short and his band Statewide recently completed a four-month, 25-city summer tour to promote the band’s second CD "Stirrin' Things Up”. The CD includes original hit singles such as “Drive Bye”, "Stirrin' Things Up", “It’s All Good”, among others. The Mike Short Jr. and StateWide “Stirrin’ Things Up” summer tour began May 24th in Atlanta and concluded on September 16th in Essex, Maryland. It included stops in Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia and Short’s home state of Pennsylvania.

Last year, Short toured 18 cities in the mid-Atlantic region to promote his debut album, was a southern bachelor contestant on season one of CMT's hit reality show "Sweet Home Alabama", and released his second CD "Stirrin' Things Up". This past January, he was named “Country Boy of the Year” by voting customers of Country Girl/Country Boy apparel.

“This is a tough competition, and there are a lot of really talented singers and performers here,” said Short. “I have my work cut out for me, but I am going to do my best and pray that the judges like what they hear.”

Short currently attends Middle Tennessee State University and is majoring in Agricultural Business with a minor in Music. He moved from his hometown of Ottsville to Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 2009 to follow his music career. Shortly after, he recorded his 12-song debut CD “Blame it on Me”.

American Country Star received entries from nearly every state in the Union, as well as Great Britain, Europe, and Texas. Finals are the one day shootout is open to the public and there is no admission charged. Finals judges include Lori and Herb of the Carter-Cash Family, Johnny Frizzell of the legendary Frizzell family, singer/songwriter and TV star Wynn Varble, Woody Woodard, along with a few special celebrity guests.
 
For the latest Mike Short Jr. and Statewide tour schedule, bookings, music, merchandise and other information, visit www.mikeshortjr.com. Fans can also follow Mike Short Jr. on Twitter @mikeshortjr or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/mikeshortjrandstatewide.

About American Country Star:

"Sweet Home Pennsylvania" - Great Article On Mike Short, Jr.

July 12, 2012

BRIAN BUSH (bbush@sungazette.com)

Williamsport Sun-Gazette

ELYSBURG - Singer-songwriter Mike Short Jr. grew up in Ottsville, Pa., a small town where people got their kicks when and where they could. "Our big excitement was when we got our first Sonic 20 minutes away from home," Short said. "And that didn't happen until my senior year of high school!"

Fortunately for Short - a self-proclaimed "avid outdoorsman" - growing up in rural Pennsylvania suited him just fine. In fact, Short's time in the Pennsylvania outdoors have provided the inspiration for some of his songs. "To this day, I look forward to the sights and sounds that I can only get when I'm walking through the woods," Short said. "They inspire me. I have a few good songs that have come out of those personal experiences."

Short has released two full-length albums and three music videos, all of which are available for viewing on YouTube. He has opened for big-name acts like Phil Vassar, Glorianna and Aaron Tippon. In May, Short and his band embarked on a four-month summer tour which will take the band to Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Maryland and, of course, Pennsylvania.

For Short, a proud Pennsylvanian, the tour is a chance to revisit the places and people that have shaped him and been instrumental in launching his music career. "Growing up I was taught to never forget where you came from," Short said. "Being able to play in my hometown and around other areas of Pa. is my way of thanking all the people that have supported me throughout my journey. I'm looking forward to every concert."

Short already is halfway through his tour, which he said has been a great experience so far. "Every show has been a party and being on the road has been an amazing experience," Short said. "We have met new fans, gained new fan club members and increased our CD sales along the way."

Short's latest album - appropriately titled "Stirrin' Things Up" - is a departure from his debut effort. "It's exactly what the title says," Short said. "It's completely different from my first album. This CD is one that anyone can rock to non-stop and find a song that relates to them. It will get you on your feet or tappin' your toes."

In 2009, after graduating high school, Short moved to Nashville, Tenn., to follow his dream of becoming a country music star. He enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University to study agriculture and music, formed a band and released his debut album, "Blame It On Me."

Although he's a homebody through and through, Short said moving to Nashville - a city with a storied musical heritage - was the best decision he ever made. "It was tough leaving home but it forced me to grow up and become my own man," Short said. "It's helped me grow musically. Playing in Nashville makes you realize you are not just 'toying' around with something. Everyone there is great, everyone there shares the same dream. It's made me realize that this dream is no easy task, and I'm not giving up."

Aside from the musical education he received there, moving to Nashville provided Short with an opportunity he'd never dreamed of: to appear on a reality TV show. Short was a southern bachelor contestant on the first season of CMT's "Sweet Home Alabama." The show, which has since become a hit and is now in its fourth season, has a simple premise: 10 "city slickers" and 10 "country boys" vie for the affections of a Southern belle from Alabama. Although his time on "Sweet Home Alabama" was short-lived, Short said he is still recognized because of the show and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

"I don't watch reality shows and I never dreamed I'd be on one, but if I could do it again I would in a heartbeat," he said. "I met new friends, a lot of new fans ... and just by singing one little song on the show. When I go out with friends, especially in Nashville, it's a pretty safe bet that at least one person will say, 'Hey, aren't you that guy from 'Sweet Home Alabama?' ' I'll just laugh and say 'yeah, that's me,' talk to them and thank them for saying hello."

Short said those who come 'say hello' at his Knoebel's shows are in for a good time. "StateWide and I are really looking forward to our show at Knoebel's," Short said. "Get ready to party, get ready to dance and get ready to holler! Every show is a new adventure, a new opportunity to make more fans, and when you become a fan of mine, you become part of the Mike Short Jr. and StateWide family!"

For more information about Mike Short Jr. and StateWide, visit www.mikeshortjr.com.

VIDEO: "DRIVE BYE" - MIKE SHORT

Check out the latest video "Drive Bye" from Mike Short of CMT's "Sweet Home Alabama" fame. You can find Mike playing around Nashville. Be sure to "drive bye" and tell him we sent ya!
Official Website: http://www.mikeshortjr.com/Twitter: @mikeshortjr