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'Hick hop' visits Lehighton

Customers pulling into the Walmart in Lehighton on Friday morning went home with more than just milk, eggs and bread.

Many took home the country-rap hybrid album, "Urban Country" by Mikel Knight, offered to them by a few southern salesman, known as the Maverick Dirt Road Street Team.The MDRST is composed of about 45 cowboys who travel the country, selling Knight's album to passers-by, or making deals with businesses who want to sell the album as well.According to Ben Segrest, an MDRST member from Alabama, CMT agreed to put Knight's track, entitled "Last Night in Texas," on their Top 20 Countdown.Every morning, he said, the tricked-out tour bus covers 80 to 200 miles in order to promote the album, and inform the public of their television show planned to hit the screens in January 2015.The reality show, "Maverick of Music Row," airs on MTV and shows the ups and downs of the street team's attempts to help Knight receive a Gold record with the sale of 500,000 albums.The 20-track CD combines the twang of country with the strong beats of rap music, known as "hick hop."To make things even more interesting, a portion of the proceeds benefit Safe Haven, a foundation that helps homeless women and children.Last month, the MDRST raised $40,000 for the organization."We do things a little differently," said Segrest, "and you're going to see that."

JORDAN REABOLD/TIMES NEWS Cowboys Zachery Smith and Ben Segrest are on their way to New York on a promotional tour for Mickel Knight. His album, "Urban Country," is a unique combination of country and rap music.