Brett Dillon, KHYI, 95.3
Eight musicians brought their top game to contend in Round 3 Week 2 of the Rusty Wier Songwriting Contest on Sunday, (January 27, 2013) at Love and War in Texas (Plano). The contest in its 3rd year, hosted by Brett Dillon, KHYI 95.3 was judged by Chris Schlotzhauer, Chip Campbell and Brett Dillon. Each songwriter performed three original songs.
First up was Byron Dowd with a moving song titled Footsteps. “You’re dreaming airplanes”, a tale of those who would trade all they’ve known for anything else. Byron spoke of the camaraderie between the musicians in the competition and the lasting friendships he’s made.
Heath Webb, a southpaw with a left-handed guitar, sang “It’s funny how some flames forever burn”. A song about how you can’t turn away from the one who’s holding you back titled “Funny How”.
Jake Bays brought his usual energy and humor to the stage with his original song about road rage titled “Number One”. It’s a clever tune about highway sign language and a positive punctuator with the middle finger.
The lone Okie in the contest, Mark Shelton belted out a brand new original song about a chance at a record deal titled “10 Days to Austin”. “My life is on the line/My dream hangs in the balance/With my life in ¾ time”.
After a short break the 5th performer was Matt Dunn. In his strong husky voice he sang a cautionary tune about taking the wrong path and the price of losing everything. Matt spoke of the personal nature of the song titled “Six String Dream”.
Cow Town’s own Phil Wallace bemused the audience with his wit and duct taped guitar. He performed a stirring version of his original song, “Nobody Slowing Me Down” another tune of traveling to Austin looking for his “new sound in the lost and found”.
Tyler Rogers with his smooth and sometimes snarling vocals stilled the crowd with an honest and heartfelt song about the occupational hazards of being a performing musician. “Neon nights and whiskey dreams/One’s keeping me alive/The other’s killing me” a great new original called “Neon Nights”.
Closing out the night was one of the few female performers in the contest. Whitney O’Neil, a crowd favorite, interrupted her set to play a request titled “Gypsy Soul”. “This gypsy soul is a hotel/And no one gets to stay”.
It was again an awesome night of music, fun and friends. Brett Dillon announced those moving on in the contest from the past two weeks on Thursday.
The contest is being given a break Sunday (Feb.3 ) because of the Super Bowl. The semi-finals will be on the Sundays of Feb. 10 and 17, and the finals at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, all at Love & War in Texas (Plano.) Love & War is at the northeast corner of U.S. 75 and Plano Parkway in Plano.