Category Archives: Other venues

SRS2014, Rd 1 Wk 5, 9.4.14

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Cole Risner

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 1st-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, 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

 

Restless Heart, Tony Ramey, Grover’s, 12/5/13

Larry Stewart, Restless Heart

Larry Stewart, Restless Heart

Despite the nasty weather coming in, about 75 people made their way to Grover’s Grill & Bar in Frisco Thursday night (Dec. 5, 2013) for the duo-billing of legends Restless Heart and solo (this time) Tony Ramey.

This fan went long before the moisture came down, got an up-close parking spot, and later then offered to sprinkle rock salt outside as the rains and sleet began to stick to the pavement. That done, settled into my makeshift office for the evening and got a lot of work accomplished while waiting for the real fun to begin.

Hours and several cups of hot coffee later, the show began. Aaron Underwood is a sound man to be remembered, he does such excellent work. Tony began, and within 10 minutes had converted strangers into fans. NOTE TO SELF:  Remember to get them to sign up for updates on Tony’s website, TonyRamey.com, so they won’t miss additions to his calendar. Ramey brought a strong 45-minute set to the Grover’s stage, and the crowd,  previously ensconced in private conversations around their dinner tables, shifted their collective focus to the corner stage and the singer/songwriter delivering his usual unusual mix of songs other artists have made hits, and some not yet as well known, such as “That’s How I Was Raised,” very recently recorded and released by Alabama, one of only two new songs on their latest CD, “Alabama & Friends.”

Quick change-over on the stage, and Restless Heart kicked off an hour-and-a-half set that kept the crowd enthralled. This group, made up of Larry Stewart, John Dittrich, Greg Jennings, Paul Gregg, Dave Innis, is unique in that the original five who set out 30 years ago to make country music is the same five who performed Thursday night. Not many groups, if any others who have reached such national acclaim as Restless Heart has earned, can say that.

Tony Ramey

Tony Ramey

They sang and played their way through numerous songs from their war-chest of hits, added a few Christmas songs, and through it all kept the crowd clapping hard and on the dance floor. Stewart, who said he has co-written with Ramey when they were both in Nashville, has the smoothest of voices in music, unpretentious yet rich and vibrant no matter what song he is singing. And the instrumentation and backup vocals are just what grizzled vets such as they should deliver.

Afterward, every musician stayed around to shake hands, hug, or otherwise meet their fans. It was a rare Texas appearance for Restless Heart, and after the show, they blazed their way through snow and sleet to make an Oklahoma gig, then on to California and Arizona. Check out their schedule at  RestlessHeartBand.com  and Tony Ramey’s at  TonyRamey.com

Thanks, Grover’s, for such a great night of music.

For photos, click here:

Shiner Rising Star, KHYI, 2013 Rd 1, Wk 7

Judges Chance Cody, Dustin Hendricks, and Nate Kipp, with contest volunteer Anita Waggoner behind them.

Judges Chance Cody, Dustin Hendricks, and Nate Kipp, with contest volunteer Anita Waggoner behind them.

Story and photos by Mary Jane Farmer. Click on the links below to view more photographs.

Three more bands from way across Texas met at Smitty’s in Denison Thursday night (Sept. 12), vying for a chance to move on into Round Two of the Shiner Rising Star competition.

It was Matt Bradshaw, from Wills Point, Texas, who won the privilege of moving on. But not without a good showing from competitors Grand Ol’ Grizzly and Blacktop Mojo, from Houston and Palestine.

Shiner Rising Star is sponsored by Shiner Beer, Shiner Records, and Dallas’ radio station KHYI, 95.3. Each band, in the first round, has 30 minutes to get on stage, wow the judges with originals plus one cover song, and leave the stage as they found it., Then, they are called back on stage for critique.

Judges this week were all singers and songwriters themselves: Chance Cody (of Spur 503), Nate Kipp (of Nate Kipp), and Dustin Hendricks (of Chapter 11)

Bradshaw, who appeared solo, was first up, and Chance Cody was the first to offer his constructive critique. Cody said he thought the first song was good, the second was better, and the third was even better. “I’m excitecd to hear something recorded and produced. Your rhythms are fun and catching, and the way you string your words together…” On the “constructive” side, he suggested that Bradshaw talk more between his songs, “tell entertaining stories, make them huge and bigger than life.”

Hendricks commented that Bradshaw’s writing was not conventional, and he particularly was impressed with ‘the wolf song,’ one of Bradshaw’s originals. “Good stage presence, and it’s all there, man.”

Kipp, too, enjoyed Bradshaw’s songs. “We were all singing harmony with you when the catch phrase came in… I liked the songs, the wording, and you took an outside approach to a lot of stuff, not head on, and that was cool. I would totally buy your record.”

Blacktop Mojo, according to Kipp, was more rock and roll than “what I’m used to. Good musicianship.”

Hendricks commented that they should take better care to tune before on stage, and then got laughs when he teased them about a mis-statement made during their set, calling KHYI something other than “The Range,” its nickname. “It’s important to know your radio station. I like the way you took the songs back to the 80s.”

Cody was positive about Blacktop Mojo’s music, too, but did say that it appeard the guitar player was not confident as he could have been.

Kipp was complimentary of the drummer, the songwriting, and the Americana quality put out there. “I’d buy your record,” Kipp said.

Then it was Grand Ol’ Grizzly’s time on stage. This band had put this gig out on Facebook invite and Twitter a couple of months ago, using social media to promote the contest and their involvement in it.

Cody noted it was the first times harmonies were used that night, and their Robert Earl Keen sound was good. “I don’t know why, but the timing of the harmonies being off was really cool, it sounded cool.”

When Nate Kipp said again that he would buy this band’s recordings, the crowd laughed when the band mentioned they just happened to have a few CDs with them.

This upcoming Thursday, Sept. 19, brings the Scott Dean band together with Stone Rosevelt at City Tavern in Deep Ellum, Dallas. The Mike Stanley Band dropped out, making the fifth band to drop out of the contest this year.

Music starts at 8 p.m., there is no cover charge for these competitions, and Thursday’s will bring Round 1 to a close. Next week, Oct. 3, will be a bi, or off, week.

Big Gus & Swampadelic will be playing at City Tavern following the end of the SRS competition.

For Blacktop Mojo pix, click here

For Grand Ol’ Grizzly pix, click here

For Matt Bradshaw pix, click here

Dustin Perkins releases “Words” to capacity crowd at Smitty’s

Dustin Perkins

Dustin Perkins

For a video and photos, click on the links below.

“Words” — after about 10 months in production — showed up and showed itself up proud Saturday night (Aug. 17).

“Words” is the third CD that Dustin Perkins has recorded in just about as many years. Previously, he recorded with his full-time band, but this time D.P. took a giant step, without even asking, “May I?” by using studio musicians. He returned again to SG Studios in Fort Worth, practically living with Greg White (owner) and his family while they collaborated on “Words.”  During those months, he, Greg, and the studio musicians developed binding working and friendship relationships.

It was some of those studio musicians who backed Perkins at his CD Release Party Saturday night, held at Smitty’s Bar & Grill in Denison. Chance Cody & Spur 503 opened up, delivering a high-powered semi-acoustic performance. SG Studios’ Ben, Greg, and families helped out, Ben holding down the merch table “fort,” which let Dustin move around and greet all his supporters and even the new fans who packed the place.

D.P. and the band performed every song off of “Words.” The first release, “One Chance,” was released a month or so ago, and is getting considerable radio airplay around Texas and beyond.

A highlight of this new CD is that Dustin included the last recording his grandfather, Howard Strause, who was a musician in Iowa, and who

Howard Strause and his grandson, Dustin Perkins

Howard Strause and his grandson, Dustin Perkins

began recording when he was 24 years old. Perkins is now just slightly older than that, as he stretches into the next phase of his musicial career. For his grandfather’s song, “Mr. Dream Man,” Dustin said he tweaked the lyrics a bit, recorded it himself, then finished the slow folksong out with Howard Strause’s voice singing his own song, recorded not long before his 2012 death.

Next on Dustin’s full-time schedule is to go on his Bag of Bones tour. This will begin Thursday night (Aug. 22) after completing a show (with Gary Kyle and Matt Dunn) at Hat Tricks in Lewisville. That should be over about 11 p.m., and from there Dustin will climb into his Dustin Perkins Band van and head out to travel and, hopefully sing, his way through 15 states, returning Oct.5. What makes this trek considerably different is that he’s taking only what he’s packing in the van, including his guitar, some CDs, and $100.  The destination is basically a circle to and through California, on up to Washington, and then slowly meander back to Texas.

The tricky part is that Dustin hopes to meet people, get to play, spur of the minute, at gigs not scheduled ahead, and sell a few CDs and other merchandise along the way. There’s special treats for those who purchase “Words” on the tour. In his words, he wants to “see if it is possible for a man to survive off nothing but his music.”

His Website — DustinPerkinsMusic.com — offers ways for anyone either from his home base or new friends along the way, can go online and help him make this Woody-Guthrie-style trip. Guthrie in that he’s taking his music to the people, without a definite destination in mind.

That Website will also be the resource to watch Dustin on this tour, as he will be making a few videos along the way, and sending those back home to SG Studios for posting.

Back to the CD release party/event — and it was truly an event — it also showed, again, just how Dustin Perkins takes care of so many more details than so many musicians do. The party was made more personal with special gifts for those who backed the CD, with new merchandise include T-shirts and koozies, and with Dustin himself out front, visiting with folks, rather than sitting in a green room. He and those with SG Studios created a looping video with photos, previous videos, and kalaidoscope-type graphics that kept moving behind the drummer.

It was also a showcase for Dustin’s ever-evolving music style. He’s moved away from the more conventional Texas music sound, recording and delivering a variety of soul songs spiced with some rock, some bluesy licks, and showcased that raspy voice that balances excitement and emotion in every song. His stage presence shows how much more comfortable he’s become over the years. His moves, his smile, his overall demeanor mark growth, mark confidence, mark talent!

Bookmark that Website — DustinPerkinsMusic.com — and follow our friend on his folk journey.

Video by Marla Sellers of “Guy” — click here — Thanks, Marla!

For photos of Dustin Perkins CD Release night, click here — by Mary Jane Farmer

 

Travis Parker Finding Direction

Travis Parker

Travis Parker

Story and photo by Mary Jane Farmer. For more photos of the Travis Parker Band and the Jeremy Phifer Band, click the links at the end of the story.

It was a night of celebration for Travis Parker, his band, and his fans when he hosted a CD release party at Smitty’s Bar & Grill in Denison. Parker recorded “Finding Direction” with SG Studios in Fort Worth over several months. The resulting 11-song CD is jam-packed with songs that Parker wrote himself, except for one co-write with Caleb Mathis on the pithy self-inventory “What Kind of Man.”

The Travis Parker Band includes Spencer Wylee Whitney on bass, Marcus Rasor on drums, and Willy Warren on lead guitar. Travis, himself, plays acoustic guitar and harmonica, and has lead vocals on all the songs.

Opening the night’s festivities was the Jeremy Phifer band, hailing out of Lamar County. Jeremy, too, has a new CD coming out soon. Phifer is not unique, but is unusual in that he plays lead guitar for his band while also handling the vocals. His bass player provides some great harmonies, and his dad rounds out the boss-instrument category on his steel guitar. There’s also another guitarist along with the drummer, Trey, in this band which is moving on up since its inception less than a year ago.

Parker has been busy.

He won a performing contest in Denison at the end of summer 2011, and took the cash prize rather than the recording contract, he said then, because it had been a dry and difficult summer for farmers. And he is a farmer, hard working from sun-up til the day’s work is done. He has been hosting, occasionally, some of the Wednesday night open mics at Hank’s Texas Grill and performing solo and with the band, including last week’s show at the Whitesboro Rodeo. And in spite of all that, he’s  managed to mix his creative writing and music-making in the schedule.

For the CD, because the others in the band are also hard-working men, Travis used studio musicians, and those include the infamous Haystack Novack on steel guitar and Hank Singer on fiddle and mandolin. The songs on “Finding Direction” are songs of the working man, songs of respect and of keepin’ on, and songs of his own heritage. It is available on iTunes and Spotify, and well worth the downloading.

Chad Smith, owner of Smitty’s Bar & Grill in Denison, is working with the Travis Parker Band, as he is also with the Blue Twenty2s, and said that he has high hopes to help the band move further up in the music world. Watch the Live Music Schedule for future Travis Parker Band shows.

For the Travis Parker Band photos, click here: (Sorry, I didn’t get much on the drummers of either bands.)

For the Jeremy Phifer Band photos, click here: