Category Archives: Hank’s Texas Grill

Scene Thursday: Joyner, Dowd, Jones, Cassidy

Jason Cassidy

Putting the blame where it lays, Jason Cassidy has a highly-probable stone-cold country hit in his  latest single release, “Blame It On Waylon.”

The Texan already has taken a No. 1 spot on the charts, and “Blame It On Waylon” has the same sort of catchy lyrics that compliment his unique voice that works so perfectly with the full vocal range of country music.  An unashamed Christian, Cassidy titled his first CD “My Redemption,” after a song he wrote and laid down on the CD.

Cassidy delivered a number of his originals, plus a few covers, at his Thursday night (Jan. 10)  gig at Hank’s Texas Grill. The crowd there may have been smaller than it is with more well-known artists, but was attentive and appreciative all the way, offering up their newly-purchased copies of his CD for autographs even while he was still on stage. And they will probably remember in the future “way back when we saw Jason Cassidy play for $1.”

Bryan Adam Joyner, Hard Country

The good-natured musician worked with four other talents including drummer, and bass, lead, and steel guitarists.

Just a suggestion, but I’d strongly suggest… give a good listen to the enjoyable “Blame It On Waylon.”

Dallas radio KHYI (95.3) is one station which will be playing the song. Call its request line at 972-767-5847

Also on the music scene Thursday night were Bryan Adam Joyner, his band Hard Country, and his friends Byron Dowd and Melissa Jones Auld. These people hit the Love & War in Plano Texas stage with the full force of genuine Texas musicians, that full force including humor, sensitivity, musicianship,  and all around good times.

Melissa’s strong voice carries her songs well and her stage presence is powerful. Byron

Byron Dowd

held the attention of the crowd as he rolled through several originals and a few covers. I only learned that he had opened for Bleu Edmondson a while back, and his music and voice deserve that he get on bigger stages!

Then Hard Country played several songs from their CD along with some covers as well, including the truthful “You’re Always 17 In Your Hometown” by Cross Canadian Ragweed. Bryan also has some originals that tug at the heart — “(I Don’t Want To Cry) Any More” and “Suits You Right.”

Byron and Bryan Adam are two who this reviewer always appreciates for their music and friendship, and also because they are considerate to give ‘shout-outs’ to Scene In Town and its  and such. Thanks, guys!

 

 

Honky Tonky night, White & Spears, Doug Stone

 

Robby White, Doug Stone, Ronny Spears

Story and photos by Mary Jane Farmer (Click on the links below to see all the photos)

One stage, two bands, and a crowd full of people there to have a good time. What else is there? Well, one answer:  Two bands who are also having a good time while delivering stinging performances, that’s what else.

Friday night (Jan. 4, 2013) brought that combination out in luxury. Hank’s Texas Grill hosted the Doug Stone band, along with White & Spears, aka our friends Robby White and Ronny Spears.  It was the perfect combination of bands, both delivering hard-core honky tonk music fit for the finest.

White & Spears opened, the band consisting of drums, bass, lead guitar, both singers on acoustic guitars, and fiddle. Seasoned musiciansseparately, these two merged their talents a few months ago, and will be going into the studio in 2013 to record. They are playing songs already like lightning in a Mason jar.

Doug Stone stepped up when it was his turn, and, judging from the set list shown in the photographs, was there for the duration. He quickly clicked in with a hit “14 Minutes Old” and moved from one of his 20-someodd hits to another.

He also invited a couple of old friends on stage with him, including Scott Cowen, who traveled with him for a year and who is now with John David Kent band.

It seemed that Stonewas there for a good time, especially when it became time for the required “last call” and he cut into his most popular

Doug Stone

song, “Better Off In A Pine Box.”

Stone, White, and Spears all hung around the merchandise table, shooting the breeze with one another and with fans. The good times spilled out the venue and rolled home with the fans. After all, “that’s how we roll” in Texas.

Doug Stone photos, click here

White & Spears photos,click here

Hank’s Open Mic Finals

 

Tanner Usrey

For photos of all performers, click here

One could say “It’s all over but the shouting,” but after Hank’s Open Mic Competition judges announced the winners Wednesday night, the shouting when on and on.

Taking highest honor was Tanner Usrey; and following close behind him were Ryan Strobel, 2nd Place; and Katie Lamb with her guitar partner, David Mathews, 3rd Place.

Those who also competed in this final round were Kyle Brooks, last year’s winner Kyle Thompson, Saille Branch, Adrian Johnston, Trace Thompson, Jake Reeves. There was a one-song lightning-round for three people who had been unable to attend their Round Two night, and it was Thompson who won that over Vince Lujan and Kyle Dunlap, and moved into the night’s finals.

Judges and organizers this year were all singer/songwriters themselves:  Ronnie Scott, Travis Parker, and Tyler Rogers. This is a 4-week contest held in December each year and is open those first and second Wednesdays to any and everybody who signs up for it.  There were about 30 people who signed up and tried out, and there wasn’t a slouch in the group. Also, at times, the judges would take the stage and sing a song or two, and others likewise, such as Ol’ Greg, aka Greg Lease.

This was the third year for Hank’s Texas Grill to host the Open Mic Competition, and Hank’s manager/owner David Reynolds said he likes to do it because, being the live music fan that he is, he wants to give those who are newcomers  to standing on stage and sharing their songs a fresh chance to hone their skills and their confidence. He also provides an open mic every Wednesday night, beginning around 8:30 p.m.,  throughout the year, with the hosts of those changing every month.

Suit up, grab your guitar or whatever, and show up next Wednesday for a friendly open mic. Hank’s Texas Grill is at the southeast corner of U.S. 75 and White Avenue in McKinney.

Oh, and by the way, watch the Live Music Calendar to know when winner Tanner Usrey will be featured on the Hank’s stage, one of the prizes he gleaned by winning the contest.

Micky & The Motorcars, a jolt of genius!

Micky Braun, Micky & The Motorcars

Story and pix by Mary Jane Farmer — Click on the link below to see more photos

Micky & The Motorcars blew into McKinney Friday night (Dec. 21) like the winter weather that followed them a few days later — agressive and yet smooth as it blanketed its fans in a warmth of familiarity and an energy that sparked from the stage throughout the  room.

Micky Braum and the crew played Hank’s Texas Grill in their last Texas show before heading north again to Idaho, and then, in January, playing the MusicFest in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They’ll be back in North Texas on Jan. 18 at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, and are spending the majority of January and early February in Texas and Oklahoma, then moving on to California.

This band showed Hank’s just how Red Dirt music still rules, and that’s simply because there are no rules for it. No formulas to the writing, no restrictions on beats or rhythms, just hard-core honky-tonk rock-n-roll state-of-mind music, felt as much as it is heard!

For Micky & The Motorcars photos, click here

Meanwhile, another Red Dirt leader, Cody Canada & The Departed, will be keeping the Hank’s stage knee-deep in Red Dirt when it plays there Saturday night (Dec. 29)

Hank’s open mic competition, semi-finals, 12/19/12

 

Hosts Tyler Rogers, Travis Parker, and Ronnie Scott

Photos and story by Mary Jane Farmer, who apologizes to Tanner Usury because his photos did not turn out well — at all. So, in the final round, it will be Tanner who gets the camera pointed at him the most intently!

In the middle of the Christmas and New Year’s season,16  musicians continued their strive to move on up in the Hank’s Texas Grill Open Mic Competition. This third year and this third week of this year’s contest had 16 people who advanced into the round, there were a couple who were unable to compete for their own personal reasons, and so there were 14 who hit the Hank’s stage with high hopes.

Each contestant brought with him or her uniqueness, talent, and a fresh approach to the art of performing in open mics, no matter where they are held. Most played solo, some had accompanists with them. They each got two songs on stage, and those two songs could have been covers, originals, or a mix of both. Judges/hosts/singer-songwriters Travis Parker, Tyler Rogers, and Ronnie Scott had the tedius task of selecting the eight who would move into the final round, to be held this coming Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Hank’s in McKinney.

Competing were Byron Adam Joyner, Kyle Brooks, Trace Thompson, Jim Stewart, Adrian Johnston, Tanner Usury, Kyle Thompson, Saille Branch, Nick Adams, Katiew Lamb, Ryan Stroeber, and Jake Reeves. Unavailable to compete were Kyle Dunlap and Vince Lujan.

Moving on into the final round Wednesday are:  Kyle Thompson (2011 champ), Kyle Brooks, Jake Reeves, Saille Branch, Adrian Johnston, Ryan Stroeber, Tanner Usury, and Katie Lamb.

The winner, among other prizes, will be scheduled for a full show at Hank’s during the upcoming year.

For all photos, click here: