Little Texas is the Best to Come Out of East Texas

Why Little Texas is the Best Band to Come Out of East Texas

East Texas has a long tradition of producing musical legends, George Jones, Janis Joplin, and Miranda Lambert to name a few, but when it comes to bands, Little Texas stands tall as the best to emerge from this rich musical soil and it all started with one of Longview’s own:  Porter Howell, the band’s founding guitarist and key songwriter, who grew up on Cherrywood Circle (my street!)

Formed in the late ’80s, Little Texas exploded onto the country music scene in the early ’90s with a fresh sound that blended traditional country with rock-infused hooks and soaring harmonies.  Their breakout album, Big Time, went double platinum and spawned hits like “God Blessed Texas,” “What Might Have Been,” and “Kick a Little.”  These weren’t just chart-toppers they were cultural moments that defined a generation of country fans.

What makes Little Texas the best isn’t just their commercial success, it’s their influence. They helped modernize country music without losing its heart.  They brought stadium-sized energy to country concerts and opened doors for bands like Rascal Flatts and Lonestar.

At the center of it all was Porter Howell.  As lead guitarist and later lead vocalist, Howell shaped the band’s sound with his searing guitar work and authentic songwriting.  His East Texas roots gave him the storytelling soul and musical chops that grounded the band’s biggest hits.

While many artists have come and gone, Little Texas endures.  Their songs are still staples of country radio and live shows across America and for those from Longview, there’s an extra layer of pride, knowing one of our own helped put East Texas on the country music map.