Story and pictures by Mary Jane Farmer

Hat Tricks in Lewisville again hosted Shiner Rising Star, its staff hospitable, friendly, and efficient. Judges this week were Big Gus Samuelson, Kelly Dearmore, and Coach Joe Avazano.

Competing and bringing large crowds with them were (Winners) Saille Branch & The Big Benders v the Robert Donahue Band.

Coach Joe declared the two covers Robert performed, songs by Gary Stewart and Hank Williams, as “kick ass.”  Dearmore and Samuelson both asked for more diversity and dynamics within their songs, and meant that as constructive criticism to the Robert Donahue Band. Gus said he has seen them come 500,000% in the past three years. Harmonies were great, and rhythm sections declared to be great, as well. KHYI is one of the stations which has been playing a Robert Donahue song, “Ten Penny Wine,” and Big Gus commented that it spoke well of Donahue not to rely on it during that set.

About Saille Branch’s band’s performance, which included a bit of country, rock, blues, and a punk closing, Coach Joe seemed at a loss for words as he repeated “You made me like you” several times. Dearmore commented, “There’s a lot more to Texas music than just country, and you guys brought it.” One of Saille’s covers was a fairly unknown Hank Williams song, hard to believe any would be unknown, but it was, and that pleased the judges. Big Gus’ comments compared the Big Benders with some of the best underground bands to achieve greatness. Again, Coach Joe, “You just made me like you, man!”

Photographs

This will be updated after each contest, so you might want to check back often.

The Round Two schedule, and please keep in mind that this could change, but KHYI will let us know if it does. For pictures of these bands, go to the links in each individual contest posting here in the Shiner Rising Star category (left column)  on Scene In Town.com

September 23 – Hat Tricks (Lewisville)

B1. Robert Donahue Band

B2. Saille Branch & The Big Benders · WINNERS

September 30 – Love & War (Grapevine)

B1.Rock Bottom Ramblers WINNERS

B2. Slow Rollin Lows

October 7 – The Ranch (Las Colinas)

B1. 4 Left Turns

B2.  The Will Callers WINNERS

October 14 – T-Bones (Denison)

B1. Chris Miller Band  WINNERS

B2. Shutdown Town

Finals, October 21 – Love & War (Plano) — 7 p.m.

B1. — Two Door Ford (Won 9/16)

B2. — Saille Branch & The Big Benders (Won 9/23)

B3.  — Rock Bottom Ramblers (Won 9/30)

B4.  — The Will Callers (Won 10/7)

B5.  — Chris Miller band (Won 10/14)

Round Two’s Wildcard Week, between returning contenders Two Door Ford and Keller Hicks bands, took a surprise turn when KHYI General Manager Joshua Jones announced that the winner would be one of the top five bands, rather than competing in Round Two. Two Door Ford took it, in spite of considerable equipment problems. Judge Kelly Dearmore remembered that the same thing had happened to Keller Hicks band the first time they competed, and somebody from another band helped them out. Thursday night, it was “pay it forward” night, when one of the Keller Hicks members stepped up and helped out Two Door Ford’s lead player, Dustin. Another reason to be proud of Texas musicians!

For pictures, click here

Radio Station KHYI and Shiner Beer/ Shiner Records announced early Friday morning the following schedule for Round 2 of the 2010 competition.

Story and pictures by Mary Jane Farmer

Round Two actually started with Thursday night’s Wildcard Week, at the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff. (Sept. 16) Invited back to try again because their scores in Round 1 were so incredibly close to their winning competitor swere Two Door Ford and the Keller Hicks Band. Friday morning, we found out that Two Door Ford took that contest.

KHYI General Manager Joshua Jones hosted the night and announced that the winning band would not be competing in Round Two, but would be advancing as the fifth competitor in the final round. Congratulations, Zack and all of Two Door Ford, and believe me when I say this honestly… Keller Hicks was amazing, as well. Keep an eye out on those guys, they are going to be musical movers and shakers!

Two Door Ford

OK, here’s the Round Two schedule, and please keep in mind that this could change, but KHYI will let us know if it does. For pictures of these bands, go to the links in each individual Round One posting here in the Shiner Rising Star category (left column)  on Scene In Town.com

September 23 – Hat Tricks (Lewisville)

B1. Robert Donahue

B2. Saille Branch & The Big Benders · WINNERS

September 30 – Love & War (Grapevine)

B1.Rock Bottom Ramblers

B2. Slow Rollin Lows

October 7 – The Ranch (Las Colinas)

B1. 4 Left Turns

B2.  The Will Callers

October 14 – T-Bones (Denison)

B1. Chris Miller Band

B2. Shutdown Town

Finals, October 21 – Love & War (Plano)

B1. — Two Door Ford

B2. — Saille Branch & The Big Benders

B3.

B4.

B5.

Chris Miller Band, one of the few who competed in the 2009 Shiner Rising Star competition, will be moving on this year into Round Two. This 3-piece band beat out the Beaumont-area band The Washers and Southern Crossing, from Stephenville.  This was another incredible tight night of music because each of the bands was a winner and has a brilliant future in Texas music!

Judging were Nate Kipp, Chuck Taylor, and Brett Dillon.

Southern Junction is different from the previous venues in that it is a large night club, dance floor surrounded by countless group-size tables, often covered by tasty steaks off the grill. Service was incredible. Dance lessons keep people on the floor, line dancing or just plain on fancy two-stepping mixed with steps that usually are scene only in theater. Charles and the crew are to be commended.

Pictures by Mary Jane Farmer