Cole Risner

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A panel of judges, made up of Zak Waddell, The Os, and KHYI’s general manager Joshua Jones, picked Cole Risner and his band to move into Shiner Rising Star’s finals, to be held Thursday, Nov. 13, at Love & War in Texas, Plano. Risner’s band beat out another great band, Whiskey Prophets, in the final week of Round 2. That was held on Oct. 30 at City Tavern in downtown Dallas.

Cole Risner Band will compete for the final prizes, including a recording contract with Shiner Records and a spot on the 2015 Texas Music Revolution fest, against Buffalo Ruckus, Derek Anthony Band, and Tyler Rogers Band.

These two bands had 45 minutes to perform their originals, plus two cover songs, on the City Tavern stage. Afterward, the judges critiqued both bands. Jones MC’d the night.

The Whiskey Prophets drew the first-on-stage spot. They opened with the song that is receiving radio airplay, “My Love Ain’t Enough,” from the soon-to-be-released CD Recoil. They took a couple of risks, including the performance of a brand new song, “Into the Hope,” written just for the contest; and in choosing a non-country song for one of their covers. That was A U-2 song, and their second cover song was the Chris Knight “Highway Junkie.”

Whiskey Prophets includes Brad Roberson on vocals, acoustic guitar, and songwriting; Mike Norris on drums; Jeremy Ailes on bass and backup vocals; and Matt Hinchey on electric guitar and backup vocals.

Critique: Both bands received attaboys on the sizes of their fan crowds.

Zak Waddell, Joshua Jones, The Os

The Os — (one vote, one voice for the duo) — Good voice, but wouldn’t have done a cover song with the same 1-5-6-4 progression as one of the originals; the band has the swagger, but that could have started sooner in the set.

Zak Waddell — Band put on a good show, and Hinchey could be seen blushing even underneath the red stage lights when told “loved the lead guitar.” “You have an Irish soccer hooligan type thing going on… keep that going.”

Joshua Jones — Opened his notes by asking “Who called each other and said ‘Let’s wear a vest tonight.’” He then got more serious, saying he felt like there were two bands on stage, the first starting off awkwardly and the better on at the end. “I’d like to see you get the energy in those cover tunes into your originals,” Jones added. He did also suggest that (Brad’s use of mild profanity) be kept off the stage. You want to be a professional at all times, and the winner will be a KHYI ambassador.”

Brad Roberson

Cole Risner leads this band on lead guitar, and vocals, was joined in the band by Chris Norwood on lead guitar, Mark Oswalt on bass, and Cory Phifer on drums. This DFW-area based band opted to cover the Waylon Jennings hit written by Jim Alley, “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line,” along with a Chris Stapleton song. They, too, presented a new song, “Gun Barrel City.” Their set was relaxed, as if ‘just another gig,’ and so was able to harness much of their natural stage presence.

Critique

Zak Waddell — “It’s almost like this gospel choir in your head. You guys were so bright, able to somehow in every single song bring hope.”

The Os — “You started off strong as hell, a few flubs on the bass… guitar was great, would like to hear more nailing the heck out oif it… and Chris on backup vocals… and I’m gonna steal your cover of ‘Only Daddy’… you are the real deal and going to go very far.”

Joshua Jones — “I didn’t take any notes — I was really caught up in the performance and my only comment, and I hate to say it, but it’s ‘Wow!’”

The finals begin at 8 p.m. Nov. 13, at Love & War’s Plano location, NE corner of U.S. 75 and Plano Parkway;  no cover charge for this contest, and each band will go back to having 30 minute-sets with one cover among their originals. In addition to KHYI sponsoring this yearly contest, Shiner Beer and Shiner Records also contribute to make it happen… 11 years now!

For more Cole Risner band photos, click here

For more Whiskey Prophets band photos, click here

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Well, this 11^th year of Shiner Rising Star is quickly moving toward its final round, with Round 2 Week 3 (Oct. 23), having Straw Hat Society and the Derek Anthony Band returning to the stage to compete for the chance to move into that final round. Friday morning, fans learned that it would be the Derek Anthony Band making the journey.

The three judges were KHYI’s Allan Peck, Overdrive Entertainment’s Tip Jones, and singer/songwriter Matt Caldwell.

The Straw Hat Society, all barefoot on stage, performed first, opening with a John Prine cover song, and later covering one by Bob Dylan, both of which were very Fred Eaglesmith in their delivery. All other songs were original. Rags O’Hooligan, lead singer and songwriter, introduced his songs by saying he, “made this one up,” and then gave some background. Also in the band are Mike Donahue on guitar, Justin Longorio on washboard and other percussions, and Waylon Whitaker on ukulele.

Rags O’Hooligan

Matt Caldwell opened the critique of the band’s music saying he liked the style and looks of the group, the (folk) music in general is so different, accented y the use of uke and washboard. On the negative/constructive criticism side, he advised the Rags and band to look at the audience when talking and to enunciate the words a bit clearer. “It’s hard to understand everything you are saying.”

Tip Jones said he loved the striped down sound of the band and that none of the musicians played over the others. He was a fan of the cover songs, too.

Allan Peck said he liked many of the songs, and praised Rags’ professionalism when he lost one of the strings on his guitar. “You maintained the professional level. You kept on keeping on.” Peck also agreed that Rags and the band need to pay more attention to the audience and suggested they add some more harmonies to their songs. “Any one of them lends itself to more vocals.”

Derek Anthony, the lead singer, songwriter, and acoustic guitar play for the 6-piece country band, was joined on stage by Gary Cox on vocals and guitar, Tim Georgeff on vocals and keyboard, Johnny Rhoads on drums, Kyle Lewis on bass, and Decter Row on fiddle. Three boss instruments…

This band, too, opened their set with a cover, a very fast version of “Oh, Lonesome Me,” and the dancers got up pretty quickly and stayed out most of the set. Derek’s own “Give It To Me Strait” clearly showed the influence to his music. As Rags did before him, he introduced all the members of his band.

Tip Jones opened the critique, calling the band a “pretty good group of musicians. I thought you guys were tight. You guys are country as hell, almost too country for Texas. Great Job. You came out of the gate fast and kept people out on the dance floor.”

Allan Peck, Tip Jones, Matt Caldwell

Matt Caldwell got the band laughing when he said, “Your band is ridiculous. What stood out were the harmonies. I thought that was great.” On the constructive criticism side, he, again, commented on the need for better enunciation/delivery of the lyrics. “It’s imperative you can the lyrics where we can hear what you are saying, “It’s imperative you sing the lyrics and we can hear what you are hearing.”

Allan Peck mentioned the need for better enunciation, saying, “Without the lyrics, here in Texas, if the audience cannot relate and hear the lyrics, then it’s a lost cause. That said, thumps up on your “Pontiac” song. Peck also suggested taking the instrumentation down about two decibels and increasing the vocals about the same amount, two decibels up. “It’s in the balance.” Peck also said he was impressed with the band’s flow from one song to the next.

Thursday night’s contest was at Dodie’s Place in Fairview/Allen. DB Music of Sherman, with Marcus Rasor setting it all up, provides basic band equipment, then Rasor ran sound as well; and KHYI’s Lauren Evans did most of the coordination for the evening. Not to even mention — but let’s do mention — the great wait staff at Dodie’s for good hospitality. They have the best cup of coffee in Texoma, bar none.

Next week, Oct. 30, the contest will move to City Tavern in Dallas, and it will be Whiskey Prophets challenging the Cole Risner Band for the chance to move forward. Music starts at 8 p.m., and each band will have 45 minutes on stage.

For Derek Anthony pix, click here

For Straw Hat Society pix, click here

Tyler Rogers, of the Tyler Rogers Band

For photos of both bands, click on the links below.

At Sundown at Granada in Dallas, Tyler Rogers Band took the chance to go into the final four top bands in this, the 11th year, of  Shiner Rising Star. But it wasn’t without a  good showing from competitor Parallel Play. Oct. 16, 2014.

Judges were both members of the acoustic duo, The Os, and Brett Dillon, of KHYI. These two bands, different in styles but similar in professionalism and talent, brought large crowds to the downtown Dallas.

And, as usual, Marcus Rasor provided the stage equipment from DB Music of Sherman, helped by the venue’s own professional sound man.

Shiner Rising Star is hosted each year by Dallas station KHYI, 95.3; Shiner Beer; and Shiner Records. The band who rises like cream to the top will receive a recording contract and a spot on KHYI’s yearly Texas Music Revolution, to be held in March 2015.

For Tyler Rogers Band photos, click here

Jeremy Drake, of Parallel Play

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Dawn Gardin, John Garza, Chuck Taylor

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Shiner Rising Star Round 2 got off to a good start with two great bands vying to move on into the finals. Sponsoring station KHYI officials asked Buffalo Ruckus to compete again, after the Brianna Fletcher band decided not to continue in the competition. Also competing Thursday night (Oct. 9) was Andrew Delaney & The Horse You Rode In On. And other musicians who had competed were in the crowd, just enjoying the music, including Rob Wright and Cole Risner, just there in support of the contest and the musicians.

Actually, this night could also be dubbed “The battle of the unique voices!”

This all happened at Hat Tricks in Lewisville, a regular Shiner Rising Star participating venue.

These bands are also vying for a recording contract with Shiner Records, which is a co-sponsor of the contest along with Shiner Beer. In Round 2, the bands each have 45 minutes to wow the judges with their original songs along with two cover songs. After their sets, the bands return to the stage for critiques.

Judges for this event were Dawn Gardinn (AMP Entertainment), John Garza (The Tejas Brothers), and Chuck Taylor (KHYI).

Jason Lovell, Buffalo Ruckus

Buffalo Ruckus went first on stage. Jason Lovell on lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Brad Haefner on mandolin, lead guitar and vocals; and Michael Burgess on bass and vocals. They played some of their standards, including the “High Again,” which is on the Texas music charts, and one brand new original, plus covered J.J. Cale’s “The Breeze” and Charlie Daniels’ “Friend Of The Devil.”

Critique:

Gardin — Commented that the band’s sound was “100 percent totally different without a drummer.” (The band played this event as a 3-piece acoustic band, because of very short notice when asked to return to the contest, without a drummer.) She was big on Haefner’s mandolin, and on the band’s havingmentioned the sponsors. She suggested they bring in even more harmonies, as that is a strength of theirs.

Garza — This judge also suggested that they add more harmonies to their songs, and agreed with Gardin on Haefner’s mandolin. “Jason, you have a killer voice, very distinct. There’s no doubt who you are hearing when you hear your voice. Just make sure people understand those lyrics. And hats off for you all doing this, for not being derailed by not having a drummer.” In the constructive criticism department, he suggested making some changes with both Lovell and Haefner are playing acoustic guitar. “It sounded like one guitar.”

Taylor — “Your (Lovell’s) songwriting ability is really good,” and when speaking to Haefner, “I mentioned before that I think you should sing more. And you sang this time.” Taylor added, “I actually like the full band thing, but this is where you should live. I love this (acoustic trio), over the full band.”

Andrew Delaney fronts The Horse You Rode In On, which consists of Justin Whitehead on bass and backup vocals; Trevor Pulver on lead guitar, banjo and backup vocals; Jeromy Bailey on drums; and Delaney plays rhythm guitar and harmonica along with his vocals, sometimes all three at the same time. They covered two bouncy songs, one by Paul Simon, which fit in with their whole upbeat arrangements with their downbeat lyrics.

Andrew Delaney

Critique

Gardin — “I love your songwriting, the band sounded good. Maybe the drums might have been off a bit a couple of times.” She added that she liked the way the band ended the set, and had nothing bad to say.

Garza — “How do you do that, play the harmonica and another instrument (guitar) and sing at the time time? It’s like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time,” and Delaney laughed with him. But less complimentary, more constructive criticism, “One thing driving me nuts was the snare drum a lot of the time. When you are playing acoustic, that’s not so noticeable, but full band…” Garza said this was a very very very tough competition between the two bands. “I hate to use that word ‘competition,’ because we’re all brothers. We all love and support each other.”

Taylor — Taylor opened by saying that “As many years as I’ve been judging these contests, it’s the hardest tonight! Tonight was a good night, and could have been the finale night.” He complimented the choice of a Leonard Cohen song to cover and Delaney’s songwriting ability, calling it “great.”

When Taylor announced the contest results on KHYI Friday morning, he declared it to be Buffalo Ruckus who would be advancing to the finals.

Next week, which will be Round 2 Week 2, will be at 8 p.m., at Sundown at Granada in Dallas, with Parallel Play and Tyler Rogers Band at the mics.

For Buffalo Ruckus photos, click here

For Andrew Delaney band photos, click here