Dan Stewart feeling a little bit country

He's a traditionalist with a modern bent, meaning Dan Stewart is a country artist worth paying attention to. So, read on and do just that.

What does Dan Stewart sound like?

"Sounds like he'd be perfect to open for Garth Brooks, and if that's shooting a little high, maybe Terry Fator. Sounds like George Strait, with a little Gordon Lightfoot thrown in. We do a wide variety of songs, offer our own interpretations, not just country. But no matter how hard we try, it always sounds a little country when we get done."

You relocated from Nashville, the country music capital, to Vegas. What brought you here?

"Whoops, I thought this was Nashville! Actually, we came out here a few years ago when Las Vegas was a boomtown. My wife landed a great job at the New York-New York at the time. I started recording with a friend of mine, Bill McIllwain, in his house. He came up with a great sound. That just became High Desert Recording. We're getting together again in January and recording some great original songs and a few cover songs for a new CD. It's going to be another fine addition to iTunes."

You're a new artist with a more traditional sound. Do you identify much with contemporary country music?

"Yes I do. I grew up listening to Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and one of my favorites, Buck Owens. Today, I still listen to them, but also George Strait, Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakam. I like all kinds of music, and once in a while, I like to take songs that aren't country and re-record them in my key. As an example, I did a version of a Crowded House song, 'Better Be Home Soon,' that came out really nice. Who knows, I might try a few Beatles songs this year."

It's that time of year. What do you want for Christmas?

"A free pass to the recording studio at the Palms might be nice. Short of that, maybe a Snuggie set for me and my dog. I'd eventually like to see Las Vegas restored to its former glory. Live music at every casino on the Strip would be cool, maybe an unnamed country act, playing five nights a week, somewhere other than the Lady Luck casino."

Check out Dan Stewart at http://www.soundclick.com/danstewart.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@review journal.com or 702-383-0476.