Shiner Rising Star, KHYI, 2013, Rd 1 Wk 3

Deryl Dodd and Tip Jones

Story and photos by Mary Jane Farmer — Links to the photos are at the bottom of this story.

As witnessed in weeks before, Shiner Rising Star bands come in all sizes and all genders. Thursday night’s competition at Coach Joe’s Hat Tricks in Lewisville was no different.

Green Light Pistol, a 6-piece group made up of five siblings, (four girls and a guy) and one boyfriend challenged the 4-piece Hard Country, all men and two of them brothers, and last up was the female-led Shannon Rose & The Whiskey Rebellion.

There were also doghouse and electric basses, acoustic and electric guitars, kick drums, regular drum kit players, and other types of percussions; keyboards; mouth harps; fiddles and mandolins; hhmm, maybe some other types of instruments to boot.

So, with all that mix, judges Deryl Dodd, Tip Jones, and Chuck Taylor basically had their hands full trying to figure out who should move on. When the scores were added up, they had decided, collectively, that Green Light Pistol will go into Round 2.

Green Light Pistols picked as their one required cover, “Some Nights” by the award-winning band Fun! They actually segued into it from one of their originals.

Each band has 30 minutes in which to set up, perform, and clear the stage, and it is volunteer Anita Wagoner who acts as timer, notifying the bands when they have reached the 10-minutes- and 5-minutes-remaining marks, and then checks  the stage to be sure the bands have cleared it completely. Wagoner also, this week, helped DB Sound’s David Tarvin move in and set up all the sound equipment that he provides each year for the contest.

Green Light Pistol brought a bevy of fans, many of whom helped them depart the stage.

Once the 30-minute time frame is up, each band receives a critique from the judges. Dodd, who had also been a judge in a Fort Worth club’s band contest earlier this year which Green Light Pistol has won, remembered them, saying, “You are getting even better.  You know what you are doing, You have heart and soul, great passion.” Jones said he agreed with ‘Double D,’ that the band offers “something different. I love ‘different’ and it’s so cool to see a mandolin and a fiddle and an upright bass.” Jones spoke about one original, saying, :What makes a great song is that when you hear it, you think you have heard it before.” Taylor commented that Green Light Pistol, as the best band up in this week’s contest, “set the bar high.”

Hard Country at critique

Hard Country is a more traditional Texas country/rockin’ band, with Bryan Adam Joyner on guitar and lead vocals, his brother John Joyner on drums, and Greg Deans and Eric Tamblyn on guitar and bass, respectively. Deans also provides some vocals. Joyner delivered some powerhouse vocals on their original songs, most of which either he or he and John wrote, and Deans’ guitar licks jingled Hat Tricks’ windows. Their cover was also tradition, the Merle Haggard hit, “Mama Tried.”

Critique time:  DD said the band “sounded good,” and specifically spoke to Deans’ guitar talent.  Jones, with Overdrive Entertainment, said Hard Country’s songs were fun, but without many surprises. “You were a little predictable, but definitely a band with great tunes.” Taylor said he “gotta be honest… the harmonies were a little off key and that happens. One thing you want to keep in mind… it’s a Shiner (sponsored) Rising Star and we don’t want (other drinks) on the stage.” He concluded by wishing Hard Country good luck.

Shannon Rose

Shannon Rose & Whiskey Rebellion closed out the night’s contest, Shannon Rose plays guitar and was joined on stage by musicians on drums, lead guitar, and electric bass. Her interaction with the band members was fun to watch and always delivered with respect and admiration for their respective talents. Her voice blended her influences into a mix of southern rock, blues, country, with a little bit of a folky sound.

DD was one judge who appreciated them, saying, “You got the crowd into it, it was definitely honky tonk time, with a rock n roll mix.” Jones was a fan, saying, “You did a great job. I’m a blues lover at heart and you brought blues with you with a passion in your voice.” He also commented that the lead guitar player, which “Has to do a lot of everything,” has a really good sound. I’m a big fan of unique and you are unique,” Taylor commented that Shannon Rose’s voice “has a Jefferson Airplay quality to it.”

The Hat Tricks venue was packed with band fans, and it appears that The Shannon Rose band seemed to have brought many of those with them.

This next week (Thursday, Aug. 22, Round 1, Week 4)  will have Sean Russell challenging Ellee Morriss and Cody Joe Hodges, at Love & War in Texas, Grapevine. Music starts at 8 p.m., and there’s never a cover charge.

Shiner Rising Star is in its 10th year now, and sponsored by Shiner Records, Shiner Beer, and radio station KHYI, 95.3. Bands are vying for a recording contract and other prizes.

For Green Light Pistol photos, click here

For Hard Country photos, click here

For Shannon Rose &Whiskey Rebellion photos, click here

Category: 2013