Jon Beaumont, New Old West

Photo albums available with links at the end of this article.

Well, it’s all over but the final round — the winner of the 2012 Shiner Rising Star will be determined Thursday, Nov. 1, at Love & War in Texas, Plano. The bands that have progressed into the final round are:  The Bigsbys, 121 North, New Old West, and the Kerry Davis Jr. Band.

Thursday night’s final competition for Round Two was at Southern Junction and between Rhythm n Roses and New Old West. Both bands showed themselves at their best, and dancers hit the floor for both bands’ music. Judges this week were Big Gus Samuelson and Allan Peck from KHYI (one of the sponsors for Shiner Rising Star) and former SRS winner Merrol Ray.

Rhythm n Roses, with focus around the family members Tammy, Justin and Jennifer. This 7-piece group gave a rousing pop country performance, complete with harmonies and several boss instruments.

Critique: After each band’s set, the judges hand them a critique, hoping to help them advance their careers. Big Gus opened saying he was a fan of their original tunes.  But, two critiques on the vocals followed. “Justin, on ‘Maybe’ it sounded in the start like it wasn’t in your key.’ That being said, “Jennifer and Tammy set the standard really high, too.” The two women are mother- and daughter-in-law, but Gus said Tammy sounds as if she could be the daughter, because the harmonies are so perfect.

Samuelson also suggested that the band, and every band, should close out their set with a song that would “blow everyone away.” He also complimented Justin’s rhythm guitar talent, saying, “You carried the whole band, kept everything really steady.”

Ray suggested that “You might want to move the women to the front. You are missing a lot of the energy by having to watch them on the side.” He compared their harmonies to those of Blacktop Gypsy, and spoke well of their orginal songs.

Peck commented, after acknowledging that the guitar picker had been speaking with the sound man during a song or two, “This is a show, and things like that should wait until the end of the song.”

Jennifer and Tammy, Rhythm n Roses

After a 15-minute break, Jon Beaumont’s New Old West hit the stage running, bringing out about twice as many dancers to the floor as the first band had. New Old West is a house band at Southern Junction, and so many of those there simply for the incredible steaks they serve stayed to listen.

Critique:  Samuelson began the critique by saying he could tell the band “knew this was a competition, and most people understand you are a working band. You don’t get to play your original music as often, and so tonight you did. Your originals are a hell of a lot better than the cover crap you play,” Samuelson said, speaking as a true lover of Texas and original music. “You brought it.”

Merrol Ray told the band, “You kicked ass, everything you did was tight. Some bands practice five nights a week and don’t get that tight.” Every musician in the band, he said, was good.

Peck said the band’s treatment of one song reminded him of Zac Brown’s treatment, but at the same time, it was New Old West. “Good job, we enjoyed it.”

For New Old West photos, click here

For Rhythm n Roses photos, click here

For a few other photos, click here

Manny Trevin

Thursday’s night’s bands that competed in the Shiner Rising Star’s contest at Southern Junction were as diverse as the Texas music scene is in itself.  Manny & The Gringaderos, who will be moving into Round 2, had a commercial sound to them, which one of the judges addressed; Tim Platt & All That Is Beautiful, had big-band, Austin vibes; and Andrew Wade and his band brought listenable country music through Wade’s resonating voice and through lyrics that spoke to the listeners!

Shiner Rising Star, now in its 9^th year, is sponsored by Dallas radio station KHYI (95.3), Shiner Records, and Shiner Beer. One the three judges Thursday night (Sept. 6) had the first year’s winner, Darryl Lee Rush, joining KHYI personalities Brett Dillon and Allen Peck as judges. Twenty-four bands are being whittled down to eight which will move into Round Two, and the main prize is a recording contract through Shiner Records, coupled with other prizes for the Round Three, or final, winner. There are other prizes, too, such as new guitars from Kona Guitars and a 4-day gig — paid — at Dallas’ Toby Keith’s I Love  This Bar & Grill

Manny Trevin and his band, The Gringaderos, opened the night’s contest and one of his original songs was about Shiner Beer, and he held a Shiner in his hand as he moved from song to song.  The band’s required cover song was a Steve Miller original, and those two, along with the remaining original songs dealt out during the allowed 30-minute slot, and got the judges’ attention big-time.

Dillon called the Gringaderos’ set “The coolest vibe I have heard you do. It’s a cool Americana vibe thing.” Dillon told Trevin he had always considered the musician “among the best songwriters.” Rush agreed with that, then added, “I enjoyed you more tonight than ever.” One thing that grabbed Rush was, he said, that the band started the set with the fiddle, and then started the drums on high hat and added from there. Darryl Lee also commented on the harmonies, especially on certain songs, and the fiddle and harmonica added their own harmonies.

Allen, Darryl Lee, Brett

“Everything sounded phenomenal out here,” Rush said from the judges’ table across the dance floor. Some of the songs, Rush said, had more Americana than Texas music sounds, and “That gives you a broader appeal. I’d call it a midwestern sound.”

Peck nodded to all of the previous comments, and then added his own about the bands’ arrangements. “You varied the tempos, and that provided all kinds of sounds necessary for commercial music. And if music isn’t commercial, you might as well stay in the living room. Tonight, we were on the receiving end of some very very very good music,” Peck complimented.

Joining Trevin as Gringaderos are Lindsey Duffin on fiddle, Justin Lea on drums, and Kevin Bach on upright bass.

Stepping up next was Tim Platt and his band, All That Is Beautiful, seven musicians led by Platt on songwriting and vocals, and with David Wade on flute and sax, Joe Cannenato on guitar, Josh Jones on drums, Melisa Platt and Nicholas Duvall on backup vocals, and Riyad Elmasri on bass guitar.

Dillon’s first comment was to Elmasri .“You did some stuff on that bass I’ve not seen before.”  He commented that Tim Platt is the Texas Jethro Tull. “The music was superb and songwriting out of this world. I feel like I witnessed a 2012 invasion of the Beatles. There is a national appeal about you guys, and I would not be surprised to see you on Letterman.

Dillon was the first to mention that the band’s music, while “very original” may not fit into the Texas music scene.  The other two judges agreed with that observation.

Rush opened his critique by saying “What you guys are doing is very original.” He commented on Platt’s songwriting, citing lyrics from one song, which basically were “Let’s stop standing in line, passing time…”  He was also a fan of the band’s chord selection, calling it “cool and unpredictable,” and the musical bridges that dotted the arrangements. “You belong on a national or international stage.”

Peck said the band’s musicianship was second to none. He was a fan of Wade’s saxophone. “You all have a future in front of you. The arrangements and musicianship shows you have spent time time in deep thought.”

For Tim Platt & All That Is Beautiful band photos, click here

The Andrew Wade Band drove to the Rockwall venue from Fort Worth to compete, and what this 5-piece group brought with them was the life and breath of inspiration. Wade was on lead vocals and guitar, Brian Tipton on lead guitar, Steven James on rhythm electric guitar, T.J. Girt on bass, and Mitch Reuther on drums. Wade’s smooth honky tonk voice, Dillon described as, “…outstanding vocal,  strong, powerful.”  Dillon also commented on the band’s choice of a cover song, saying, “Something happened to you guys when you did Prince’s Purple Rain. You really kicked it in, and the following two songs were among the coolest I’ve heard in a long time.”

Rush kept his comments short, too, saying he appreciated the band’s “bringing that Texas rock up here.” I enjoyed especially the

Best dancers on the floor!

last two (songs), probably the most marketable of your set.”

When Peck talked, he asked if KHYI had been given a copy of those songs, calling them “marketable.” He also called Wade’s vocals at having “quality, tones. We’d like to have you heard beyond these four walls.”

This Thursday night’s contest marks the end of Round 1, and will be held at Smitty’s Bar & Grill in Denison. Music begins at 8 p.m., and there is no door charge for attending any of these contests.

This was also the first and only band to bring dancers onto the dance floor.

For Andrew Wade photos, click here

Brad Dunn at judges’ tableStory and pix by Mary Jane Farmer

It was a tight race for the last band to go into the finals of the Shiner Rising Star band contest. Jeremy Phifer and his Badwater Band from the Northeast Texas and into Arkansas areas, took on Brad Dunn & Ellis County, based in Austin. And it was a battle of the bands, qualified and able musicians in both groups.

Shiner Rising Star has seen 24 bands over 12 weeks competing, all wanting to take home the prize of a Shiner Records recording contract, an opening spot on 2012 Texas Music Revolution, and some other substantial prizes. Round Two has had two bands per night being allowed 45 minutes to present their originals songs around two cover songs of their choice.

This was the first time this year that both bands chose the same song as one of their two covers. Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road” was heard in its original form, but with both bands adding their own personal licks to make it more their own song.

Jeremy Phifer started off the night at Southern Junction with jump, with kick. His band consisted of himself on lead vocals and lead guitar, plus drums, steel guitar, bass guitar, and two other guitar players. Not once, but twice, Jeremy left the stage to take his guitar out among the spectators, weaving in and out of the tables surrounding the dance floor while never missing a note on the guitar.

KHYI personalities Allan Peck, Brett Dillon, and Big Gus Samuelson were joined at the judges table by songwriter Zane Williams. One by one, they offered their criticisms and attaboys after the set.

Dillon limited his comments to Phifer’s songwriting talents.

Peck said he wanted to get the bad stuff out of the way first. But there isn’t that much bad stuff, he said. One criticism was the “absence of consistency between songs, too much time passing between one selection and the next. When you do a show, you need to do a show.” On the “good stuff” side, Peck said their staging was excellent.

“On the ‘Cigarettes and Gasoline” song, I would urge you to get that to as many people as you can, because the royalties from that will pay for cigarettes and gasoline for for cigarette and gasoline for a while,” Peck said.

Zane said, “I love a lead singer who can also play lead guitar Awesome. Wish I could do that myself. For the record, I’m just hear to meet  you guys and hang out, don’t consider myself worthy of judging. But I’ve done a lot of these competitions myself, to make stuff happen, I’ve been there and thought  you did a good job. Kept up the energies. ‘Cigarettes and Gasoline’ was a great song, driving beat, it was my favorite of your originals.”

Williams added, “I heard a couple of pauses and build-ups and I could tell you had spent some time working together.”

Big Gus specially commented on the dynamics of the songs. “Really impressed, really catchy. They were not standard 3-chord songs. You put a lot of time in the arrangements.” Gus added that he noticed the dancers got up on the floor. “My son (who with his girlfriend was one of the dancers) is a fan and when he’s in your corner… he’s in your demographic range. If you can touch that age group that soon, you are on the right track. You guys have a bright future.”

Jeremy Phifer Band pix

Brad Dunn took the stage with his 6-piece group, Ellis County.  When they kicked off their version of “Copperhead Road,” he asked Jeremy to join him on stage, but Phifer was, at the time, out of earshot, so that duo didn’t happen. Later, the two lead singers said they hope to get to work together sometime in the future.  The dancers hit the floor, too, on Ellis County’s songs.

Dillon, at critique, said “The most important thing in songwriting is the hook, and you’ve got those. The songs are radio ready, radio friendly. Great set list.” And Dillon mentioned one song that was definite mailbox money.

Peck’s first comment brought a laugh when he said, “Steve Earle called. He wants to thank everybody for repeatedly performing his songs. He appreciates the royalties,” then again when he commented on an Austin radio station’s ratings “being in the dumpster… you can help them a lot.”

Williams said, “I thought you were professional and didn’t sound like a bigger band, I got the impression you have been doing this for a while. I like the depth of material, great grooves, and how good the drummer was. Overall, just a real super solid band.

Big Gus agreed with the comment about the band having been together for a while, it showed. I thought you were very professional. The rhythm section was impeccable, arrangement of harmonies were specific. You guys have the whole package.

Another thing that both bands did alike was, after their sets, every musician went over and shook the judges’ hands.

Brad Dunn & Ellis County pix

That said, at 9 a.m. Friday morning, everybody learned it is Brad Dunn & Ellis County who is going into the finals, being held Thursday night at Love & War in Texas, Plano. Note this: it starts at 7 p.m. instead of the usual 8 p.m., to make complete time for all five bands, won’t won’t be alloted as much time on stage. Each band has got to bring his full action to the stage without falter.

Competing Thursday night are: Sidekick Mafia, Pearl Street Riot, Blackbird Sing, Brad Dunn & Ellis County, and Dustin Perkins Band, who is the selected “Wildcard.”

Usually, the judges panel is expanded to include many of the former Rising Star winners, plus other music giants, along with the KHYI crew. The winner will be announced at Love & War after the bands have competed.

Sponsoring Shiner Rising Star are the Dallas-based Americana radio station KHYI, 95.3 on the dial, Shiner Records, and Shiner Beer. Also involved are Kona Guitars and BP Percussions. All shows are streamed live at RogueTV.net, and then can be watched later on that same Internet site. The photographs from each night, every band, will remain posted here on SceneInTown.com under the category KHYI Special Events/ Shiner Rising Star 2011.

Other tender moments… pix

Dancing to Dustin Perkins BandStory and pictures by Mary Jane Farmer — pix below each band’s critique.

To view videos from this week, and all weeks, go to www.roguetv.net. The producer also sells DVDs of each night’s performance on scene.

Southern Junction was the perfect host for Shiner Rising Star Round 1 Week 5, providing a great stage with great lighting, and steaks other restaurants only strive to serve.

Shiner Rising Star is a band competition with prizes that include a

recording contract through Shiner Records, an opening spot on KHYI’s 2012 Texas Music Revolution festival, full-band equipment outfit from Kona Guitars and GP Percussion, and a feature article in Alternate Route, an American music magazine. Dallas American radio station KHYI, Shiner Beer, and Shiner Records are the sponsors.

The Aug.25 competition pitted the Jessica Brooks Band, The Coby McDonald Band, and the Dustin Perkins Band against one another. It was a mutual-respect competition, with each band appreciating the others from the sidelines.

Each band has 30 minutes to get on stage, get their equipment installed, perform one cover and the remainder original songs, and get off, complete with leaving the stage cleaned up and ready for the next band.

The Dustin Perkins Band is moving on to Round 2.

Dustin, on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, is also the songwriter for the group. He formed the band about 15 months before, and that is a story in itself. Dustin opened up, solo, for Zane Williams one Tuesday night at a show hosted by KHYI on-air personality Brett Dillon. After the performance, Dustin, always one who wants true critique input, asked Brett what he thought. Brett’s answer, as his always are, was truthful. He said that if Dustin would get a band and a CD, he would be on the way. That was in March 2010. Within two months, Dustin had put it together.

Working with Dustin are Michael Waitt on bass, Colton Gilbreath on lead guitar and back-up, sometimes lead,vocals, and Nathan Brown on drums.

The Dustin Perkins Band covered the Chris Knight song, “Don’t Put a Bridle on a Bull” and surrounded that with six originals, utilizing every minute of stage time they were offered.

At critique time, it was Brett Dillon who spoke first, saying, “I think you came to win this competition.” He commented on the Chris Knight cover song and on Perkins’ newest release, “Luckiest Man Alive,” saying that was good songwriting. Plus, he said, the band had a great look about it.

Another KHYI radio on-air man, Alan Peck, started his critique  by saying, “ditto” to everything Dillon said. Then, he told a story. “Long ago, one of the neatest concerts that Gloria and I eve saw was Fats Domino, and you modeled your show after his presentation, whether you knew it or not.”  He explained, “All these people paid to come and see and hear you. You respected them. You had show flow. There was no hesitation in the show.” He further said that they didn’t pay to hear tuning or talk, but to “hear you music and see you perform. That’s what we got.”

The third judge for this round was guitarist Merrol Ray, whose previous band “Miles From Nowhere” won the contest a few years back. “You didn’t disappoint. You kicked ass..” Merrol commented especially, also, on Colton Gilbreath’s guitar and backup talent. ”You all have a good look, a good mix, good everything,” Ray said.

Dustin Perkins Band pix

Coby McDonald Band’s choice of cover was Johnny Paycheck’s “The Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised,” and  the band’s originals were straight hard county, if one can imagine, with a rock influence.

Band members wee David Norris on steel guitar, Lance Gray on lead guitar, Kevin Bray on bass guitar, Mario Calderon on drums, and Coby on lead vocals and rhythm guitar.  Dillon later pointed out that each band member had played with others in the past, including Gary Stewart, Sonny Burgess, and Spur 503.

Brett also pointed out, during critique, that the Coby McDonald Band is a house band at Southern Junction, and that showed in their comfort level on the stage. “Awesome, solid band, solid songwriting,” Dillon said.

Peck said about the set, “We saw and we had showmanship, first class, professional showmanship. We also heard flow, and in radio we are very careful about having songs at different tempos, so we don’t bore our listeners. You are not boring, You are terrific.”

Merrol Ray called The Coby McDonald Band “refreshing.” He said, “You didn’t get up there and sound like everybody is trying to sound. You did your own thing, and didn’t apologize at all for it.”

It was at 9 a.m. in the Friday morning, Chuck Taylor, radio hour that Taylor announced the band going on.  “The Dustin Perkins Band”

Coby McDonald Band pix

Jessica Brooks Band pix

Moving into Round Two are Sidekick Mafia, Twisted Pistols, Jeremy Phifer & the Badwater Band, Pearl Street Riot, and now the Dustin Perkins Band. There are three more weeks in Round 1.

This upcoming week, Thursday, Sept. 1, the contest moves to the Last Chance Saloon , 1410 K Avenue, in Plano. Competing are the Lauren Alexander Band, the Manny Trevin Band, and Blackbird Sing. Music starts at 8 p.m. each night.