SRS2014, Rd 1 Wk 5, 9.4.14

Mary Jane Farmer | September 5, 2014 | Reply

Cole Risner

Now on the downhill side of Round 1, a fifth band, Cole Risner Band, has learned it will be advancing into Round 2 of the 2014 Shiner Rising Star contest.

Cole and his band, Chris Norwood on lead guitar, Mark Oswalt on bass, and Cory Phifer on drums, met head to head with Buffalo Ruckus Thursday night (Sept. 4) at Tolbert’s Restaurant in Grapevine.

The third group, Melissa Brooke Band, scheduled for this week cancelled at the last minute, and that left time for these two bands to play for 45 minutes, rather than 30 minute sets as is usual in Round 1.

Risner’s band drew the 1^st-on-the-stage straw. They provided lyric sheets for all the originals they would be playing, and covered a Chris Stapleton song (Another requirement for each band during this contest is to cover some other songwriter’s music). Dancers hit the floor during the cover song. Cole and the guys closed it down after 30 minutes, then returned to the stage for their critique.

Judges Thursday night were Chuck Taylor (KHYI), who also hosted, Dawn Gardin (AMP Inc.), and Tami Millspaugh (Universal Music Group), all three of whom work considerably with country music. As Taylor explained to the audience, “These ladies work with artists all the time and see artists in development and can offer you all some cool insight.”

Critique: Dawn told The Cole Risner Band that she loved the covers, and their harmonies and songwriting is good. “You definitely listen to the radio, the influence on your fist song was like a Hayes Carll song. And the Love & War song reminded me of Zane Williams.”

Tami responded, “I like the songwriting, and I did her a buzz (in the sound system) as well. That’s technical stuff, it happens.” She complemented them on their songs, adding, “I hear a lot of crap. You are on the way to making something of yourselves and keep it up. Don’t take any of this for granted.”

Chuck said, “You have a lot going for you. It was a little pitchy a couple of times — that happens to everybody. Two things to work on: stage presences and dress the part of a band member. You gotta be marketable to radio promoters, to radio stations. Fantastic songwriting.”

Afterward, Cole and the others in the band went to the judges’ table and shook hands with all three of them.

Buffalo Ruckus, front line

Buffalo Ruckus pulled out some new songs, spiced by some off their new, self-titled CD. Brad Haefner played mandolin and lead guitar; Jason Lovell on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Michael Burgess was on bass; and Christian Dorn on drums — the same band members as when they started together in 2013. Burgess has the technology that allows him more freedom of movement, and he went out into the restaurant during one song, stopping and playing and dancing with those in the audience.

This band took full advantage of the added 15 minutes to their set, and made their cover song, Waylon Jennings’ ‘Waymore’s Blues’ seem as if one of their own, something that judges have recommended to all bands in the previous weeks. So much so that none of the judges could identify just what song they had covered.

Critique:

Dawn told Buffalo Ruckus, “you looked like you were having a great time. But, introduce your songs. We don’t know who you are and didn’t know you did a cover.” She added that they did a nice job in mentioning the radio station, KHYI and Shiner Beer as sponsors. “I’m a big fan of the mandolin and you really brought your fans out, but I might not have ordered another round of beer from the stage. Interact with us down here more.”

Tami noticed and spoke about Buffalo Ruckus’ passion. “That’s great, and I like the segways into your songs. You continuously play and I like that. I totally missed the (Waylon Jennings) cover, didn’t know what it was.” When she added mentioned, “I don’t know where you are trying to go with your music, what you’re wanting to get played, but if you want on the charts…” and with that, Lovell smiled and responded, “We’re on the Texas chart right now.” Tami added that the band may have been too rock for the radio, “Your live concert is very rock oriented.”

Tami mentioned, too, that they and all bands should mention their Website, Facebook, Twitter, and info that their CD is available on iTunes. “Keep up the passion.”

Chuck, remembering Buffalo Ruckus from the 2013, commented that “You have gotten really strong. You are playing better now than you did in the finals last year. (Buffalo Ruckus came in second in 2013). You had some new songs, but your set was very similar to that of last year.” Burgess, he said, came in early on one song, “Don’t worry ‘bout that, but you made the face. Don’t make the face.” When Taylor complimented Haefner, saying “Brad, you are a monster on the guitar,” the crowd went wild.

To Lovell, Chuck said, “You have got one of the best voices in this competition right now. A lot of the songs tonight were rock, with an Angus Young scream type to it. Your voice is best when you actually sing instead of shouting. Overall, it was an awesome job, stronger than last year’s.”

This next week, Sept. 11, the contest moves northward to Tupelo Honey, which is in the old Katy Depot stockyards in Denison. Competing will be The LDJ Band, Derek Anthony, and Jud Block. Music starts at 8 p.m., and there’s never a cover charge for these weekly contests.

For photos of Buffalo Ruckus, click here

For photos of Cole Risner Band, click here

For a few more photos, click here