SRS 2014, Rd 2 Wk 1, 10.9.14 Hat Tricks

Mary Jane Farmer | October 11, 2014 | Reply

Dawn Gardin, John Garza, Chuck Taylor

For photos, click on the links below

Shiner Rising Star Round 2 got off to a good start with two great bands vying to move on into the finals. Sponsoring station KHYI officials asked Buffalo Ruckus to compete again, after the Brianna Fletcher band decided not to continue in the competition. Also competing Thursday night (Oct. 9) was Andrew Delaney & The Horse You Rode In On. And other musicians who had competed were in the crowd, just enjoying the music, including Rob Wright and Cole Risner, just there in support of the contest and the musicians.

Actually, this night could also be dubbed “The battle of the unique voices!”

This all happened at Hat Tricks in Lewisville, a regular Shiner Rising Star participating venue.

These bands are also vying for a recording contract with Shiner Records, which is a co-sponsor of the contest along with Shiner Beer. In Round 2, the bands each have 45 minutes to wow the judges with their original songs along with two cover songs. After their sets, the bands return to the stage for critiques.

Judges for this event were Dawn Gardinn (AMP Entertainment), John Garza (The Tejas Brothers), and Chuck Taylor (KHYI).

Jason Lovell, Buffalo Ruckus

Buffalo Ruckus went first on stage. Jason Lovell on lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Brad Haefner on mandolin, lead guitar and vocals; and Michael Burgess on bass and vocals. They played some of their standards, including the “High Again,” which is on the Texas music charts, and one brand new original, plus covered J.J. Cale’s “The Breeze” and Charlie Daniels’ “Friend Of The Devil.”

Critique:

Gardin — Commented that the band’s sound was “100 percent totally different without a drummer.” (The band played this event as a 3-piece acoustic band, because of very short notice when asked to return to the contest, without a drummer.) She was big on Haefner’s mandolin, and on the band’s havingmentioned the sponsors. She suggested they bring in even more harmonies, as that is a strength of theirs.

Garza — This judge also suggested that they add more harmonies to their songs, and agreed with Gardin on Haefner’s mandolin. “Jason, you have a killer voice, very distinct. There’s no doubt who you are hearing when you hear your voice. Just make sure people understand those lyrics. And hats off for you all doing this, for not being derailed by not having a drummer.” In the constructive criticism department, he suggested making some changes with both Lovell and Haefner are playing acoustic guitar. “It sounded like one guitar.”

Taylor — “Your (Lovell’s) songwriting ability is really good,” and when speaking to Haefner, “I mentioned before that I think you should sing more. And you sang this time.” Taylor added, “I actually like the full band thing, but this is where you should live. I love this (acoustic trio), over the full band.”

Andrew Delaney fronts The Horse You Rode In On, which consists of Justin Whitehead on bass and backup vocals; Trevor Pulver on lead guitar, banjo and backup vocals; Jeromy Bailey on drums; and Delaney plays rhythm guitar and harmonica along with his vocals, sometimes all three at the same time. They covered two bouncy songs, one by Paul Simon, which fit in with their whole upbeat arrangements with their downbeat lyrics.

Andrew Delaney

Critique

Gardin — “I love your songwriting, the band sounded good. Maybe the drums might have been off a bit a couple of times.” She added that she liked the way the band ended the set, and had nothing bad to say.

Garza — “How do you do that, play the harmonica and another instrument (guitar) and sing at the time time? It’s like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time,” and Delaney laughed with him. But less complimentary, more constructive criticism, “One thing driving me nuts was the snare drum a lot of the time. When you are playing acoustic, that’s not so noticeable, but full band…” Garza said this was a very very very tough competition between the two bands. “I hate to use that word ‘competition,’ because we’re all brothers. We all love and support each other.”

Taylor — Taylor opened by saying that “As many years as I’ve been judging these contests, it’s the hardest tonight! Tonight was a good night, and could have been the finale night.” He complimented the choice of a Leonard Cohen song to cover and Delaney’s songwriting ability, calling it “great.”

When Taylor announced the contest results on KHYI Friday morning, he declared it to be Buffalo Ruckus who would be advancing to the finals.

Next week, which will be Round 2 Week 2, will be at 8 p.m., at Sundown at Granada in Dallas, with Parallel Play and Tyler Rogers Band at the mics.

For Buffalo Ruckus photos, click here

For Andrew Delaney band photos, click here

KHYI signs