Colton Gilbreath

There’s been a little change in the original plan which called for a “Wildcard Week.” Instead of that, the contest officials are moving straight into Round 2 with the eight winning bands. Now, in keeping with tradition of having five bands play in the final Round 3, the officials will be selecting a 5th band from these 8 participating in Round 2 to also move on into Round 3. 

In Round 2, bands will have 45 minutes to “melt the judges’ faces off” (quoting Joshua Jones) and must perform two covers along with their own original music. The 45 minutes includes their set-up and break-down time before and after they are announced. 

Here’s the line-up for Round 2 (Note: the first band named in each week is a Texoma band — Yeah, I’m proud of the music here along the Red River) 

Sept. 22 at Hat Tricks in Lewisville, Texas — Dustin Perkins Band v Sidekick Mafia

Sept. 29 at City Tavern in Dallas — Twisted Pistols v Blackbird Sing

Oct. 6 at Love & War in Grapevine — Pearl Street Riot v Rodeo Clown Dropouts

Oct. 13 at Last Chance Saloon — Jeremy Phifer & The Badwater Band v Brad Dunn & Ellis County

Always remember and never forget —  you can go back and watch the videos of all these and the other bands on RogueTV.net, and their pix and reviews will remain posted here on SceneInTown.com

Jimmy and Jimmy James of The Rodeo Clown Dropouts

Story and pix by Mary Jane Farmer

NOTE: This coming Thursday night, Sept. 15, will mark the end of Round 1 and will have Manny Trevin & The Gringoderos, the Scrips, and Brad Dunn & Ellis County vying at Love & War in Texas, Plano. Music starts at 8 p.m.

Shiner Rising Star is a band contest sponsored by Shiner Records, Shiner Beer, and KHYI. It is held in three rounds with 24 contestants gleaned down from  several hundred who try each year. The prizes include a recording contract complete with professional production and promotions, the opening slot on KHYI’s yearly (March) event, Texas Music Revolution, and this year also includes the promise of a feature article in Alternative Route magazine and band equipment furnished by Kono Guitars and GP Percussions.

Sept. 8 marked Week 7 of Round 1, and brought three amazing bands together at LaGrange Bar in Deep Ellum, each unique in its own style and presentations. Moving on will be the Rodeo Clown Dropouts, and giving them a run for the honor were The Dallahachie Boys and the Casey Daniels Band.

Judges were Darryl Lee Rush, who won the first Shiner Rising Star and has judges each year since then, all the while putting out new CDs of his own, Brett Dillon and Chuck Taylor, both KHYI radio personalities.

The Rodeo Clown Dropouts is a three-piece group, father and son Jimmy and Cody Duvall on stand-up bass and drums, and lead guitarist Jimmy James Arnold. This group brought together a mix of rockabilly and southern rock and just about any other type of music out there, in a non-descript style called alternative country or Americana. No holds barred, electrical, a can’t-take-yours-eyes-off band that entertained as much as it played. One reviewer called it, “Psycho-billy.”  I think it’s called talent.

Jimmy Duvall started the performance portion about  3 licks into the first song, when he laid his doghouse bass on its side and climbed on top. From that point on, that bass was played sideways and used as a stage booster at least half the time.

Their original “Texas Jewel” had a familiar twang to it — anyone else notice that?

For their cover song, The Rodeo Clown Dropouts chose Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” Their version captivated the crowd and the judges.

Brett Dillon led the critique. “You guys killed that (cover tune). You have great chemistry and it was great fun.”

“If I wanted to see someone who sounded like you guys, I would have to see you guys,” Rush said. “You have very original sounds. I dug the sound originality. I don’t think I’ve heard a better cover song.”

Taylor said, after commenting on a flyer that the band handed out inviting the crowd to another Deep Ellum bar as an after-party, “I don’t see Shiner Rising Star anywhere on that. But, I gotta hand it to you. We saw the emergence of def metal country, one mean fiddle tune, done with energy.

Rodeo Clown Dropouts MOVING ON pix

The Dallahachie Boys drew the straw that let them lead the night’s line-up. The 4-piece band is Trent Peterson on vocals, Jeff Grossman on lead guitar, Kyle Venable on bass, and Josh Lambert on drums. The band, like all, had 30 minutes to get on stage, set up, perform originals with one cover included, and then leave the stage clean for the next band.

Sound, and the basic drum kit, is set up before they step on stage. The Dallahachie Boys had a bit of a problem with the sound system, but began their music while technicians worked on the equipment. That was a point the judges noticed, and commented on later during critique. One of the songs they performed was their original “Rainin'” which is currently on the Texas Regional Radio chart.

Dillon commented on the sound situation. “You guys were playing before that was fixed and the middle mic wasn’t working. That was cool, that was professional.” Dillon also commented on the three-way harmonies, unusual, he remembered, and on Peterson’s singing voice. “You are a, pofessional band,” Dillon stated.

Rush said he reiterated everything that Dillon had said, and added, “Hey, rock and roll. You just gotta do that, (talking about the sound problem.) “You gotta play though and you did.” Rush was especially fond, he said, of the strong rhythm section and the interactions between Venable on bass and Lambert on drums. Plus, he liked the switchover for a song o two that Grossman man, moving from electric lead guitar to lap steel.

Rush, who also has a rain-themed voice “Raindrop,” said that when the Dallahachie Boys did “Rainin'” it “feels like it was raining. It was almost 1978 retro vocals.”

Taylor said he had positives and negatives to comment on.  Musicianship was high on his list of attaboys, and the songwriting ability was good, he said.
But on the negative side, go to the (Dallahachie Boys) Website, and there is no mention of this event at all. We needs band who will draw (crowds). You talk about Bon Jovi, but I don’t see anything about Shiner Rising Star. You have got to promote,” Taylor critiqued, ending by saying with a smile, “I am on a tirade tonight.”

The Dallahachie Boys pix

Casey Daniels Band, from the Denison/Sherman area, brought their quieter energy to the stage. Casey is on guitar and lead vocals, Chris Harrison on lead guitar and backup vocals, Marc Wilson on bass and backup vocals, Joe Marshall on hythem guitar, and Brian Christopher Page on drums.

One of their originals was written two years ago, before Casey brought the band together and before he had considered entering the Shiner Rising Star contest. “Shiner Bock Brew.” He explained that he has been a Shiner Bock beer drinker since he  turned 21, and that the words in it were genuine.

The Casey Daniels Band stumped the judges with their cover. They chose a song by Nashville newcomer Bantley Gilbert,  “Kick It In The Sticks.”

Brett said he didn’t catch the cover, but said, “You guys wee bad ass. You bought the fans. You have a great Texas outlaw feel. You got fans, followers. I’m a big fan of the Casey Daniels Band.”

Darryl Lee, a songwriter, pointed out that the songwriting abilities were top notch. “Wild Saturday on a Tuesday Night” will be your single, It has the right beat, the right sound, the lyrics.”

Taylor said, with that ubiquous smile  about not knowing the cover song or artist, “Maybe Brett and I are a little old.” Daniels explained that Brantley Gilbert just got signed to Reba’s label.  Taylor commented on the larger number of fans that came for the Casey Daniels Band. “Part of your job is to get asses in these seats. I checked your Facebook, Twitter, My Space, and you mentioned it (tonight) more than any other band. I gave you six extra points for that.”

All this, and all seven weeks, and all the six weeks still to go can be seen on Thursday nights at RogueTV.net, and caught up with later on that site. The videos can also be purchased from them.

Casey Daniels Band pix

All this, and all previous six weeks, and all the six weeks still to go can be seen on Thursday nights at RogueTV.net, and caught up with later on that site. The videos can also be purchased from them.

Links to all:

KHYI 

Shiner Records 

Shiner Beer

RogueTv

 Story and pix by Mary Jane Farmer

Photo albums follow each band’s segment — NOTE: There was a change in the band line-up since last week’s posting. The Manny Trevino Band switched with the Byron Dowd Band. Trevino will now be performing in Week 8.

Chuck Taylor and Amber Farris

Two of Thursday night’s (Sept. 1) bands came from greater distances than most to compete in the sixth week of Round One, Shiner Rising Star. From the Tyler area was the Lauren Alexander Band, and from San Antonio came Blackbird Sing. Vying against them was the Byron Dowd Band, an area singer/songwriter group hailing from Frisco and points around there.

Going home with the top spot for the week, although no one knew that until 9 a.m. Friday morning when it was announced on KHYI radio, was Blackbird Sing, who is advancing into Round 2. The contest was held at Last Chance Saloon on Ave. K in the old Plano area, quaint and yet accommodating its visitors with ample free parking away from the street.

Judges were Somebody’s Darling lead singer, Amber Farris, KHYI program director Chuck Taylor, and KHYI general manager Joshua Jones. Important people on the site, seldom mentioned, ae Big Gus Samuelson, also with KHYI, and Ric Denker, fiddler exceptional, and Jacob Samuelson, who help set up equipment each event; and Lisa Hooks, KHYI most-important person who handles the logistics each week.

Joshua Jones

And speaking of Blackbird Sing moving on, they filled the Last Chance stage with keyboards, drums, guitars, and percussions. Robert  Salinas, James Magallanez, Daniel Magallanez, Andrew Salazar, and George Ransom make up the band, but other than Andrew, or Andee, it’s unknown who was who on the stage. What was known is that they owned it from the very first note. Andee, or Andrew, started off playing the keyboard, then moved on to lead guitar. Toward the end, he brought out a horn, and finished off the night in splendor. The lead singer, and the band, performed what people around Texoma know as a “Jerrod Medulla” cover, “I’m On Fire,” but which the judges did acknowledge was originally done by Bruce Springsteen. On the singer’s left, audience right, came harmonies and a vaiety of rhythm instruments. There was also a harmonica, the second one of the night.

Jones commented on Andee’s work on the stage, especially his use of his horn. ” You need a raise. Whatever they pay you, they should triple it,” to which Salazar replied with a smile, “I just want two more inches in height.” Jones said he liked the whole crew’s energy and enthusiasm. He commented favorably on the Gin Blossoms’ cover, “Hey Jealousy” which Blackbird sing had chosen to perform.

The Byron Dowd Band brought the third harmonica to the stage at the end of their power-packed set. Tim Harris only played one song, but he brought it with style. For this band’s cover, Byron explained that Jason Eady and Walt Wilkins are two of his favorite song writers, and so had chosen to cover one of Eady’s.   Joining Byron on stage were Rob Wechler on fiddle, Cory Correll on drums, Jeff Schulze on lead guitar, Ben Moore on bass, and, of course, Harris on harp.

Correll stayed busy on the drums, sometimes changing his sticks in mid-song to get the sound he was striving for. Wechler sawed on his fiddle with the mixed elan of a country star and a classic violin maestro. Moore and Schulze were less flashy, but kept up a solid, steady pace through every song.  One song toward the end brought out two metal slides, one used on Schulze’s lead and the other on Dowd’s acoustic.

Jones led off the critique this time. When the band returned to the stage for that critique, all four who had worn hats through the set tipped them to the judges. Jones complimented the fiddler, saying he brought a lot of the band, and the tone on Schulze’s lead guitar.   But it was Dowd’s singing style that he exclaimed the most over.

“There is something about the way you sing. You have such a swagger and confidence when you sing — I don’t know what you are saying, but I agree with you,” Josh said, adding his favor of the Jason Eady cover.

Harris commented fist on Carrell’s drumming, saying, “You were hitting the sh… out of the drums.”

Taylor  told the group they did a good job. “You brought it, and the crowd got into it, and the slide guitar and the fiddle and harmonica.” Taylor had noticed, and commented, about all three bands bringing harmonica to their sets. On the negative side, he said he would rather have heard Dowd do a Steve Earle (another of Dowd’s influences) cover, “but…”

Byron Dowd Band pix

The Lauren Alexander Band opened up, and she was the first to add a little harmonica to the band’s sound. Lauren had a bass player, a lead guitarist, and drummer with her, and played acoustic guitar herself, throwing that mouth harp in for depth. The band chose Tom Petty’s “Breakdown” as their cover song, and that met with the approval of the judges and the audience.

Farris, at critique time, explained to Lauren that she needed to develop her ownership of the band. Amber said, “You sounded good,but make sure you are in control. Be louder and prouder. This is something I face on a daily basis.” Of Lauren’s originals, Farris said she liked “Goodbye You” the best.

Chuck Taylor disagreed on that choice, but didn’t elaboarte, instead commenting on how she and the band “overcame some sound problems.” He did comment on the drummer’s choice of caps, marked with a Texas Longhorn logo.

Jones also commented on the cap, saying that it’s best if band membes don’t wear sports apparal “It could be A&M guys or (Texas) Tech (in the audience, you don’t need to give anybody any reason not to like you.” Jones also commented on the escalation of Lauren’s level of  comfort. Not so comfortable in the beginning of the set and then becoming more so as it moved on, and “When you did, your voice and pesonality on stage grew.”

Lauren Alexander Band pix

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.

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.

Moving into Round Two are Sidekick Mafia, Twisted Pistols, Jeremy Phifer & the Badwater Band, Pearl Street Riot, The Dustin Perkins Band, and now Blackbird Sing. There are three more weeks in Round 1, the final week being Wildcard Week in which three of the bands from this round will be invited to return for a second chance.

This upcoming week, Thursday, Sept. 8, the contest moves to LaGrange, 2704 Elm St (Deep Ellum), Dallas. Competing are The Casey Daniels Band, Rodeo Clown Dropouts, and The Dallahachie Boys. Music starts at 8 p.m. each night.

Joshua Jones

Story 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.

Thursday (Aug.. 18) brought an Austin band together with two bands from Paris, Texas, in the fourth week of 2011’s Shiner Rising Star contest. This week’s music was held in Club Dada in downtown Dallas, the area known as Deep Ellum.

The 4-piece Jeff Whitehead  Band came up from Austin, bringing with them one extra performer, fiddler Naomie Cherie. Stone Rosevelt drove from Paris, followed by an entourage of fans. Pearl Street Riot also arrived from Paris, set up, and then took advantage of their time in Deep Ellum by visiting another club or two before the shows started.

It is Pearl Street Riot who is moving on, as KHYI’s Chuck Taylor announced Friday morning.

The contest is sponsored by Dallas Americana radio station KHYI, Shiner Beer, and Shiner Records. It began with 24 bands competing in Round One of  three rounds, each having 30 minutes in this round to perform their originals plus one cover song.

This week’s judges were John David Kent, singer/songwriter who leads The Dumb Angels band; Joshua Jones, KHYI general manager; and Brett Dillon, KHYI daytime D.J.

One of the songs Jeff Whitehead performed was, he said, currently getting airplay,  and one original song stood out, a song about coming home. Jeff led with guitar and lead vocals; Matt Rhoades played bass, Wade Alford was on drums, and J.P. Cravens stood out with his lead guitar and backup vocals.

Brett Dillon led the critique off by saying he liked the cover song, “Whiskey Time,” and complimented the band on great songwriting, great harmonies, and the lead guitar wok.  He also said to Rhoades, “You were banging you butt off on the drums. I’m a big fan of Jeff Whitehead and hope you come to the Metroplex more often.” His criticism  was that the energy didn’t seem to come until near the end of the set, when they performed “Whiskey Time.”

John David Kent agreed with that, saying, “The energy seemed to come together during the cover tune. The set of songs is really important. It could have been good to open with that song, to get that energy moving right out of the gate.” Kent also stressed that it is really important to connect with the crowd, and the band did that at the end.  “It’s fine to let people know that you are having fun up there. It will inspire everyone else to have a good time. That’s my two cents.”

Joshua Jones, reading from his notes, told the band that, to him, they looked nervous at the stat. “I thought you came to life during the last verse of the second song, and then took a new breath.” He, too, liked “Whiskey Town” as a cover.

Jones gave the guys a formula for their consideration. “Nine percent of music is talent, 1% is luck, and 90% is attitude. Show up with some bad-ass attitude.”

Jeff Whitehead Band pix

Pearl Street Riot kicked off a 30-minute set with their own “The Battle of Butcher Holler” and the set stayed high-fevered throughout, except for the one slower song, their cover of Fred Eaglesmith’s  “All The Way Home.”

After the second song, lead vocalist Wesley Joe Malone stopped for a moment to explain why the other band members (all dressed in vests, string ties, and boots) were wearing ties and he wasn’t. “I thought about wearing a muffle ruffle…” Wesley Joe said, using the word of the day.

Others in the band are Cody Phifer on lead guitar and vocals, Rodney Lee Key on drums, and the newest member, bass player Justin Cashion, aka Cash.

Dillon was the first to comment on their attire. “You arrived looking like a band and you played like a band. I feel like I should pay cover to see Pearl Street Riot, and I don’t pay cover. But this was like a Pearl Street Riot concert.” Dillon said he liked the Fred Eaglesmith cover, “You made it you own.” Dillon commented that the slower song “showed diversity in your set.”

John David’s arms waved while he spoke, enthusiasm flowing from arms and voice. He kept it short, agreeing with Dillon’s words, and ending by saying, “I’m looking forward to playing a show with you sometime.”

Jones started by saying he tried to write down everything I didn’t like about the band. “I didn’t write down a thing,” he said as he picked up his score sheet.  But, to be contrary, he said, “I didn’t like it when you slowed down (with the Eaglesmith song).  There’s no reason to take it from 5^th gear to 2^nd gear. It would be one thing when you have an hour, it’s OK, but you only have 30 minutes to melt faces off.” That being said, Jones ended by saying, “You guys are 90% attitude, total professionals, and honestly, I freaking love you.”

Pearl Street Riot pix                   

Stone Rosevelt stepped on stage and took it by storm, as well. They as a band are often sharing stages with Pearl Street Riot and it was a mutual respect time for both bands. Plus, speaking of mutual respect, a previous week’s winner, Jeremy Phifer, and friends were there to cheer their friends on, too. The two Phifers are cousins.

Stone Rosevelt is made up of Chad Farris on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Chris Shoemate, lead guitar and vocals; Ben Alsup on bass; and Nick Burton on percussions.

Chad made use of the word of the day too, when he explained how the band got together to decide on their cover tune. “I wanted to cover “muffle ruffle” but….” Chad said.

At the end, Dillon said that Stone Rosevelt blew him away. “I don’t want to say anything negative, and you guys will be something in about six months.” Dillon also commented on the band’s unusual three-piece harmonies.

John David commented on the fans’ support. “That just goes to show you have fans and people who support you and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.” As Kent talked about the stage banter between band members, and while he was saying how refreshing that is, Alsup walked over to Harris and kissed him on the head. “It’s likeable,” Kent said, “It takes things on a personal level and naturally draws people in.”

Stone Rosevelt, Kent said, couldn’t describe itself as Texas Country music band, but “This is the cool thing about this state: It’s so diverse that you bands can work in this scene like Whiskey Myers (band) works. That’s a very confident thing.”

Joshua commented on a guitar being out of tune, adding, “I know you only had 30 minutes, but slow down for tuning. I liked the energy and the very controversial and ‘ballsy’ cover. I scored you guys well.”

Stone Rosevelt pix

Muffle ruffle became the word of the day, offered with instructions by Jones during his Thursday morning “Twitter” comment for bands. At orientation in July, he explained to the bands that he would be offering a new hint each week by Twitter and those who complied could get extra points. So, he said, this week, he decided to make it a fun way tip. Each band was to use the nonsensical words between the second and third songs.

Next week, Aug. 25, will bring into competition, the Dustin Perkins Band; the Coby McDonald band, and the Jessica Brooks band. The contest will be at Southern Junction in Rockwall, and music begins at 8 pm.

These bands are competing to win 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.