Lucas Hudgins and his talented troupe, the First Cousins, have sprung out of Austin’s local country music scene with their debut album, Honky Tonk Illusion. The project is the introduction to Hudgins’ impressive songwritting as well as his vocal talents and quality. Hudgins has a versatile and distinctive voice sliding from a smoky croon to a shrieking holler, often, and without apology exposing his wide scope of vocal influences new and old. The musicianship and truly remarkable classic sound [of H.T.I] can be easily credited to Players/Producers Ethan Shaw (Bass) and Doug Strahan (guitar and back-up vocals) of local Austin Label Bloodchili Records (Chili cold blood), who offered their services both behind the scene as well as recording on Honky Tonk Illusion. Written in 2005 with a strong foundation in country roots, outlaw, and honky tonk, the unveiling is finally getting the attention it deserves among Austin traditional country music lovers. Surprisingly, that isn’t the only crowd the band is impressing. With the infusion of funk, soul, blues, swing, and roots rock, the First Cousins aren't your usual Austin honky-tonk band, yet they still have the authentic sound true Country music followers crave, and miss. The band keeps their music not only genuine, but refreshingly their own.