The Shiner Rising Star competition for 2012 is about to wind down. The top 4 bands which survived Rounds One and Two are meeting one another on the Love & War in Texas (Plano) stage Thursday night (Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.) to see who will walk away with a recording contract with Shiner Records, new equipment from Kono Guitars, a slot on the Texas Music Revolution festival in March, A four-day gig at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill in Dallas, and some other career-enhancing perks. Dallas radio station KHYI (95.3), Shiner Beer, and Shiner Records have been the sponsors of this contest, this year and all those before.

One could say that Thursday night’s contest will be “four of a kind” vying to become “ace high.” But, it’s not a gamble who will win, it is a tight contest between four bands, each with unique talents of their own and each of which will have worked hard to become ace high. There will be a full table of judges, some of whom will be former Shiner Rising Star winners themselves. And they will announce the winner before the night closes down.

The bands competing are New Old West, The Kerry Davis Jr.Band, The Bigsbys, and 121 North.

As a reminder of those who also competed, after knocking out nearly 200 others to get into Round One (and these are in alphabetical order) were: American Jenny, Blacktop Outlaw, Jackson Eli, Fishing With Dynamite, Matt Ingram Band,, Adrian Johnston Band, Lord North, Manny & The Gringoderos, Miller Row Band, Matt Nix Band, Parallel Play, Tim Platt & All That Is Beautiful, Jeremy Powers Band, Rev. Leon & The Repenters, Rhythm n Roses, Mark Shelton & The Greater Good, Shotgun Jimmys, Stone Rosevelt, Twisted Pistols, and Andrew Wade Band.  These bands were heard by new venue management, made new fans along the way, and earned the respect of every other band they vyed against. And, through Shiner Rising Star, eight venues have been introduced to many new  musicians and fans.

The four finalists are from Lewisville (The Kerry Davis Jr. Band), Dallas (New Old West), McKinney and Grayson County (121 North), and the farthest, Palestine, Texas, (The Bigsbys). Because Thursday night, there won’t be anything to be said, hardly, except for “attaboy” and “you were great” and “there’s always next year,” Scene In Town asked each band to comment now on their experience in being in the contest. Here are their comments and links to the photos taken during their two previous showings in the contest.

For New Old West Round Two pix, click here

For New Old West Round One pix, click here

Jon Beaumont, lead singer for New Old West, said, “So far, this has been a great thing for us and we can’t say enough how much we appreciate KHYI 95.3 The Range and Shiner for putting this together and especially the fans for their tremendous support! Whatever the outcome, everyone is a winner on this.”

For The Bigsbys Round Two pix, click here

For The Bigsbys Round One pix, click here

The Bigsbys said, “We are looking forward to Thursday night. It’s been a long few weeks waiting for Nov. 1st. When our band kicks off our first song Thursday night we won’t be holding anything back. We’re ready to go head-to-head with some damn good bands and see who comes out on top. 
A contest like Shiner Rising Star should be a growth moment for any band. Just being judged by the pros instead of having friends and fans tell how good your band is, that’s valuable. It can be hard to hear that criticism when you’ve poured your heart into a band making your own music.



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For 121 North Round Two pix, click here

For 121 North Round One pix, click here

121 North said, “We are humbled and proud to have the opportunity to share the stage with so many great musicians, songwriters, and people throughout the Shiner competition, and are so thankful to KHYI, Shiner, and our fans for the opportunity and support. We are excited to see everyone at the finale on November 1st at Love and War in Plano.”

For The Kerry Davis Jr.Band Round Two pix, click here

For The Kerry Davis Jr. Band Round One pix, click here

Kerry Davis said, “The Kerry Davis Jr. Band is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our talent at Love and War in Plano on Thursday. And we are absolutely ready to make a great album with Joshua Jones & Shiner Records if given the chance.”

Story and photos by Mark Bickham

Blacktop Outlaw met 121 North on the Gilley’s Dallas stage Thursday night (Oct. 11) to battle for the chance to advance into Round 3 (the finals) of the Shiner Rising Star contest. It was a tough battle, said spectators and crowds, with the bands each displaying uniqueness and considerable talent. But, when it was announced on sponsoring station KHYI the next morning, 121 North found out they will be moving on forward.

Judges for the evening were KHYI’s Allan Peck and Brett Dillon, and Overdrive Entertainment’s Tip Jones. Also sponsoring the contest is Shiner Beer and Shiner Records. After both bands’ performances, the judges provided a critique, hoping, they said, to provide the bands with good information in advancing their careers.

Of 121 North, Peck said a strength was Justin Till’s original songwriting, and it  was obvious theyd had been together as a band for a good while. “Not just a guy trying to win a contest,” Peck said. Jones was also impressed with the originals and Dillon said, “That’s Texas rock n roll. We would play it on the Range.” He said he hated Nashville but loved their Big n Rich and Jason Aldean cover songs. (Each band is required in Round 2 to perform two cover songs.) Those in the band are Johnny Pope on drums, Wade Kilgore on guitar and vocals, Till on guitar and vocals, and Max O’Neal on bass.

For 121 North photos, click here

Blacktop Outlaw, although a newer band, showed itself proud, according to the judges who each said, upon critique, “wow.” Peck told them not to tune on stage, Jones said the band was great, and Dillon said the harmonies were “killer… you could play that on any radio station in the country.”

Blacktop Outlaw consists of Travis Emerick on drums, Danny Dillon on lead vocals and guitar, Lucas Pittman on bass and vocals, Ethan Dorsett on lead guitar, and Ryan Hall on harp and rhythm guitar.

For Blacktop Outlaw photos, click here

The Bigsbys

Two bands graced  the great stage at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill  in Dallas Thursday night (Oct. 4), both vying for the chance to move into the final round of Shiner Rising Star. “Graced” might be a mild term, because both Manny & The Gringoderos and The Bigsbys more like “tore it up” with their separate styles.

It was Round 2 Week 2 of the annual event that provides the final winner with a recording contract, and this year the winning band also receives new instruments from Kona Guitars, a week’s gig at Toby Keith’s, and a spot on the 2013 Texas Music Revolution (being held in March).

This week, the three judges — KHYI’s Chuck Taylor and Alan Peck and singer-songwriter Darryl Lee Rush — chose The Bigsbys to move on into the final round, which will be held  Thursday, Nov. 1, at Love & War in Texas, Plano. Before the competition, the band members were busy making each others’ acquaintances and in generally enjoying the new commaraderie.

Manny & The Gringoderos, led by Manny Trevin on vocals, harmonica, and guitar, also includes Lindsey Duffin on fiddle, Justin Leu on drums, and Kevin Bach on upright bass. A mix of acoustic and electric Texas rock, folk, and so much more.

The band filled its 45-minute set with a mix of original songs and two covers, using their own arrangements on those.

Critique

At the end of the set, the judges critiqued what they had heard. Peck began by explaining that “If you want a future in Texas music, as Darryl can tell you, there is a tremendous amount of competition. So you have to do something to get the attention of those with the money, and those who are not yet friends… something to make you special.” He commented that they did that in a couple of the songs, especially their Robert Earl Keen cover song and a dance song they had written, Peck mentioned. But, he added that at times the band could have added more pizzazz to some of the other songs. “You can be an up-and-coming band,” Peck closed by saying.

Rush brought smiles to their faces when he said that, when he was in the 2004 Shiner Rising Star competition (he was the first Shiner Rising Star), “I was really happy that Alan Peck wasn’t a judge.” He remembered he had heard and judges the band before and “You get better each time.” Rush was especially fond of the fiddle player and of the song “Sweet Child of Mine,” noticing that the rhythm section was tight and that Manny’s songwriting is “very very good.”

Taylor, who also was a judge in the 2011 SRS contest when The Gringoderos vied, told them, “You have came a long way from last year. The fiddler is probably the best musician in the entire band (no offense to the others).”

Manny & The Gringoderos

Taylor, after looking around the Toby Keith’s large venue and the relatively small crowd, spoke to both bands, saying, “Competition is about doing everything you can to be the next Rising Star, and it includes promoting and getting people into the seats and I’m really disappointed in (that aspect) of both bands.” He remembered, he said, when Rush competed he chartered a bus and filled it and the venue with fans.

Then, back to the band critique, he commented favorably on Trevin’s songwriting ability and the band’s ability to make a cover song their own.

For Manny & The Gringaderos pix, click here:

Next up, was The Bigsbys, from Palestine, Texas. This is also a 4-piece group, consisting of Alex Smith on vocals and acoustic guitar, Russell McClendon on bass guitar, Brad Hobson on lead guitar, and Nick Odom on drums. They had just come off of a tour throughout the southern states, and commented that, while it was strenuous and productive at the same time, they had increased their fan base all along the way.

Critique

Peck started again, positively, saying the “second song harmony was perfection.” His favorite, which turned out to be the favorite of all three judges, was the “whiskey song,” but, Peck commented, “before you were finished with it, you were bending over to get drinks and singing to the floor, as opposed to the audience. These are little things, but when you get those ironed out, that makes you a professional as opposed to a lot of people. I want to hear more. You guys are good.”

Rush commented that, “When you first got on stage, you looked like a band. You guys not only look the part, you guys rock.” He compared their musical style with that of the Drive-By Truckers and their “good southern rock. I loved it. I think it all starts with the songwriting.” Theirs was great, Rush said.

Taylor concluded the critique by saying, “I don’t pay to go see shows, and I would pay to go see you guys.” He compared The Bigsbys to the Austin-based band, Uncle Lucius. “The only thing is, when you are talking to the crowd, slow down and enunciate. You were talking really fast and mumbling.” Taylor, too, liked the “Why Whiskey” song. He disagreed with Peck’s comment about their stage presence, saying they did have what it took along that line.

The recording contract is with Shiner Records, sponsored by Shiner Beer.

The Bigsbys now join the Kerry Davis Jr. Band and two others, yet to be determined, in the finals.

This next week, (Oct. 11) Blacktop Outlaw challenges 121 North at Jack Daniels Saloon on Lamar Street in Dallas, and the fourth and final set of Round 2 will have New Old West competing against Rhythm n Roses at Southern Junction in Rockwall on Thursday, Oct. 18.

For The Bigsbys pix, click here:

And kudos and attaboys to the sound and lighting man at Toby Keith’s… he put on an incredible stage-light show over and behind each band!