Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times file ROCK CITY: Matt Hole has a dedicated following of honkytonk music lovers who pack his shows in Corpus Christi..

Coastal tunes: Tejano, rock, jazz
Area's top include Rocky Benton, IH5, Eddie Olivares (Jr. and Sr.)

By Brendan Walsh, Caller-Times

   The Coastal Bend's music is as diverse as its people. Homegrown talent of every variety can be found at local venues. So whether you want to go bluesy with Greg Gibbs, rock with X-Crete, get hayseed with Country Breeze or go Tejano with Jay Perez, somebody out there is playing your song.
   Blues
   You can hear live blues music nearly every night in the Coastal Bend. Popular local performers include Chris Holzhaus, Greg Gibbs, Rocky Benton and Corey Jackson.
   If you don't have any outstanding warrants, drop in on a concert by County Court-at-Law No. 5 Judge Carl Lewis' band, Carl Lewis and the Deadbeats.
  
   Rock
Looking to live a rock 'n' roll lifestyle? Corpus Christi is your town. From the heavy -metal sounds of Freestate and X-Crete, to the rap-rock fusion of IH5, to the pop-rock stylings of Next Big Something or the classic covers by Bushbullit, options abound.
   Tejano
   ¨Que es musica Tejana? If you live in Corpus Christi, you should know that it's a distinctive fusion of Mexican rhythms, German accordions and Spanish-language lyrics that's native to Texas.
   Our town is home to some of the biggest record labels in the industry, as well as plenty of venues that feature Tejano DJs or live bands.
   Jazz
   The Coastal Bend has got that swing, baby. Hepcats should keep their ears open and eyes peeled for either of the Eddie Olivareses (the horn players come in junior and senior versions), Latin jazz king Chris Ortiz or any other number of local acts who play less frequently.
   Texas Country
   Texas country music - as opposed to that fluff from Nashville - is a genre all to itself, and the Coastal Bend appreciates its homegrown artists.
   Roger Creager tours statewide, but grew up in Corpus Christi. Matt Hole may not be from here, but he's been attracting a dedicated following of honkytonk heads for about a decade.