Battle of the Bands ends, Green Light Pistol at the top

Green Light Pistol, with Donnie Nelson and Wild Bill Dewbre

A Battle of the Bands with capital prizes ended Wednesday night (March 27) when a fairly-new Fort Worth band, Green Light Pistol took first place. The Tyler Rogers Band, based in McKinney, took a prestigious second place.

The contest, promoted each year by the White Elephant Saloon in the Fort Worth Stockyards, had more than 100 entries, whittled down first by a team of judges from entries submitted, then more over two months of band-to-band competitions. Green Light Pistol, The Tyler Rogers Band, and Grayson County’s the Shawn Fussell Band emerged to the final battle, but Fussell had to bow his band out at the last minute.

Green Light Pistol consists of five siblings in the Wallace family, plus one boyfriend, as he was introduced on stage. These are: Chad Fincher on acoustic guitar, kick drum, and high hat; 
Sally Wallace on mandolin; 
Brook Wallace on fiddle; 
Caleb Wallace on bass; 
Madalyn Wallace on percussion; and 
Bethany Wallace on piano and rhythm. They share lead and harmony vocals and songwriting in a style intriguing and nearly completely acoustic. Their dad joined them on stage for the first song, adding his distinctive whistle style.

The Tyler Rogers Band is made up of Tyler on lead vocals and guitar, Chris Medrano on bass, R.J. Medrano on drums, and Tiago Mauro on guitar. Their style is electric, Texas country rock, and all-around high energy.

The Tyler Rogers Band

Both bands have been together less than two years.

The most amazing factor of just about every Texas musician is their obvious support of one another, and that was so prevalent Wednesday at the White Elephant Saloon. Tyler, R.J., Chris, and Tiago watched from as close to the stage as they could get as Green Light Pistol performed, Rogers often singing along, quietly, from the rail he leaned upon. Then, when the Tyler Rogers Band was on stage, the Pistol members reciprocated, obviously paying close, respectful attention. And, when the final announcement was made, The Tyler Rogers Band members was the first to offer handshakes and hugs.

Brett Dillon, KHYI host, making introductions

Three of those many prizes Green Light Pistol garnered were appearances at the Larry Joe Taylor Fest and Tommy Alverson’s Family Gathering, plus an automatic entry into radio station KHYI and Shiner Beer’s 2013 Shiner Rising Star contest. They also have studio time at Bent Leaf Recording Studios in Denison, won gift certificates to Big Bill’s Wild West Store in Fort Worth, and several other career-enhancing prizes.

For Green Light Pistol photos, click here:

For Tyler Rogers Band photos, click here:

For a few other photos, click here:

Category: - Contests