Shiner Rising Star KHYI, Round 2 Week 1, 9.28.12

Mary Jane Farmer | September 30, 2012

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Kerry Davis Jr.

Shiner Rising Star 2012 contest opened Round 2 back at Love & War in Texas, the Grapevine restaurant and its outdoor stage Thursday night (Sept. 28). Dark skies cooled the area off and kept the fans looking upward, but not a single raindrop landed on the patio stage.

The Twisted Pistols and the Kerry Davis Jr. Band both adorned the stage, each with a 45-minute set comprised of all original songs except for two required cover songs. KHYI on-air personality Chuck Taylor, singer-songwriter Phil Hamilton, and Grammy-award winner soundman Tim Kinsey were judges this round, Tim working the sound all the while he was judging.

First up on stage was Kerry Davis Jr. and his 5-piece group, which presented a variety of Americana, country, bluegrass-flavored, and other types of original music. Their two covers showed that versatility in Tom Petty’s “Last Dance With Mary Jane,” unique in its arrangement with strong accents from the steel guitar, and “Back Roads,” a Brandon Rhyder song. On Oklahoma Girl, their country style showed in the two-step song, and their original “Waiting on Rain” spoke of the devestation many jobless people face today.

Joining Kerry on stage were Matt Riley on bass and harmony vocals, Aaron Bucklin on lead guitar, Lucas Albano on drums, Pat York on harmonica and harmony vocals, and Hillery (Hank) Early on steel guitar. Davis himself played acoustic guitar and took lead vocal honors.

Critique: The judges were in agreement on the band’s strengths, including their versatility, stage presence, and audience enjoyment. Kinsey said he definitely gave them a ‘thumbs up.’ Hamilton agreed on that, then added that he liked the pairing of harp and steel, saying that can be “tough on stage and you did it really well.”

Taylor said he disagreed about the stage presence, but that on the band’s last song, they kicked in it. “The originals were very well written,” Taylor said.

For Kerry Davis Jr. band photos, click here

Their turn in the barrel, The Twisted Pistols began their set by asking the crowd for another hand for the Kerry Davis Jr. Band and thanking the sponsors, KHYI, Shiner Beer, and Shiner Records, followed by a big “Go Rangers!” Then, they got down to the business of making music.

Lead singer Zach Hendrickswrote most of the originals, who writes several of giving up and giving in, and as if daring the weather, the band

Zach Hendricks, The Twisted Pistols

performed on about “them old storm clouds, they’re rolling in…” They debuted a new song, “Hurricane,” and moved to “I’ll Be All Right,” featuring strong guitar lead by guitarist Johnny Wilson. The rhythm section is made up of Spencer Whitney on bas and harmonies and Eric Wood on drums.

The band covered Back Porch Mary’s “(All I’ve Got’s”) This Band,” and donned hard hats for their second cover, “I Was Looking For a Job (when I found this one)”

Critique: Kinsey led the critique again, would said he liked the songwriting and performance, but would have liked to see more versatility in it. Hamilton began his critique by saying he knows how hard it is to be be judged on something so personal and passionate as their music because, he said, “I’ve been there.” He said the band sounded good and it was obvious they had been together a long time, but agreed with Kinsey about the need for versatility in their songs.

Taylor commented that even in the times that a singer can’t be in perfect pitch, “make sure you are always in tune.”

For Twisted Pistols pix, click here:

Kerry Davis Jr. Bandis moving into the final round, to be held in early November. The winner of the Shiner Rising Star 2012 contest will win a recording contract with Shiner Records, and several other career-enhancing prizes.