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Brett Dillon and Clint McNear, talking a few moments to talk about Friday night’s Law Enforcement appreciation event at L&W

They all want to win, and they all want everyone else to win. That’s basically the feeling going on every Sunday as the Rusty Wier singer/songwriter challenge moves along in its second round. And that’s the real challenge among the artists — mutual support and mutual respect — in this 5^th year that Love & War in Texas has sponsored this great songwriter event.

But win someone will.

Round 2 continued with Sunday’s Week 2 (Jan. 19, 2015), as eight musicians shared songswaps in groups of twos. Each performed four original songs.

Those performing Sunday were Dale Riley, Larry Martin, Andrew Delaney, Annie Roads, Byron Dowd, Matt Nix, Town Walsh, and Joe Austin.

And speaking of cooperative and ‘let’s win’ — last week’s contestant Mick Tinsley returned to play some lead guitar during Joe Austin’s song; but that was only turn-about-fair-trade, because last week, Joe played fiddle during one of Mick’s songs.

Brett Dillon, organizer, host, and KHYI on-air personality get the award for pairing up the two most complimentary voices together. Riley and Martin both have those deep, cowboy-western-song voices that totally complement their songs.

Town Walsh gets the best-sense-of-humor award for making the judges laugh, after first noting how much fun he has each year with this (Walsh has been a contender – and a strong one at that – each of the 5 years), that obviously he wasn’t winning, since winners can’t compete again.

Dowd and Nix get the award for honoring those who came before them, with Nix doing an original song written for the late Ronny Spears and Dowd following with an oral remembrance of Mr. Spears.

Round 2 continues at 4 p.m. Sunday, never a cover charge for this contest, with the last group of eight hoping to move into Round 3. Then, everyone will take the Super Bowl Sunday off, for obvious reasons. After that, the top 12 finalists will hit the L&W stage in Round

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Brett Dillon and Nick Flint

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Moving right along — The Rusty Wier singer/songwriter challenge went into Round 2 Sunday (Jan. 11, 2015) with eight of the remaining 24 musicians not only taking the stage, but taking the stage with each other’s support and respect.

This is the 5^th year that Love & War in Texas (Plano location) has sponsored this event, and included a guaranteed gig for the winner during the venue’s upcoming Shiner Sunday series. Americana radio station KHYI (95.3, the Range) also adds a couple of prizes, including two tickets to the March 21 Texas Music Revolution 19; with the winner helping the contest organizer and KHYI personality Brett Dillon bring on a headliner. There’s other prizes, too.

This week had James Dunning song-swapping with Raquel Nguyen, Travis Bolt and Aaron Shook supporting each other during their session; Tin Man Travis and Bryan Adam Joyner having fun together while presenting their four songs each; and, lastly, Saille Branch and Mick Tinsley closing out the day.

Talking about supporting one another… it wasn’t uncommon at all for one of the two musicians on stage together to add some backup vocals and guitar to each other’s songs, or for any of them to sit in admiration as the other presented his or her songs.

The contest continues this Sunday (Jan. 18), at 4 p.m., again at Love & War in Texas (Plano), which is at the NE corner of U.S. 75 and Plano Parkway.

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Brett Dillon

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The 2nd week of the 5th yearly Rusty Wier singer/songwriter challenge proved to be just as challenging as the 1st week did. Twelve more contestants, 12 of the 37 making it into this year’s event out of more than 60 who tried out for it, hit the Love & War in Texas (Plano) stage with the fervor of most Texas-based musicians, along with the ‘let’s win’ attitude of best friends in the music world.

Competing in groups of three, and with each one singing three original songs, were: Group 1 — Charley Smith, Jud Block, Alex Lease; Group 2 — Raquel Nguyen, Bryan Adam Joyner, Larry Martin; Group 3 — Byron Dowd, Nathan Whitney, Matt Johnston; Group 4 — Mike Schikora, Chad Purdom, and Town Walsh.

These earned scores from judges Brett Dillon (also the organizer and with KHYI), Trisha Aker (Rusty Wier’s love), and Roger Russell (Dallas Songwriters Association), who also serves as sound man for the contest. They were not just competing against each other, but competed against all others in Round 1. Those with the best combined scores from all judges will move into Round 2.

It was the first time several musicians had become involved in this annual event, and for others, it was a repeat experience. Town Walsh said he has been involved since the very beginning, and does it for the brotherhood. Walsh and his co-musicians in the 4th group, Mike Schikora and Chad Purdom, brought to life the ‘let’s all win while having fun’ attitude, backing each other up on guitars and laughter, especially when Purdom changed carts in the middle of the stream… rather, changed instruments in the middle of the song.

The surprise voice of this week was Nguyen’s, rich and full and powerful. She played both guitar and keyboards. And Colorado Mike had the 36th song of the night, and accented it with fun, drama and animation. Good images and similes and emotions in many of the songs brought to the stage.

Next Sunday (Jan. 4  at 4 p.m.), the contest continues at Love & War in Texas, which is at the northeast corner of Plano Parkway and U.S. 75 in Plano, with the final 12-some in Round 1. No cover charge for these contests. Dress warm, tho there are heaters inside the now-enclosed Rusty Wier back patio.