Moving on to Round 2: Sidekick Mafia
Sidekick Mafia’s Justin Pickard
Story and pictures by Mary Jane Farmer (Photo links at end of each band’s paragraphs)
Shiner Rising Star, the 8th season, began Thursday night (July 28) with three bands taking the outdoor stage at Love & War in Texas, Plano, and from Note 1 it was a battle all the way.
Selected for this round were the three Dallas-based bands, The Troubaderos, Andrew Delaney & The Horse You Rode In On, and Sidekick Mafia.
Each band in Round 1 has 30 minutes from the time they are introduced, and this week the introduction honors fell on Joshua Jones, KHYI general manager who also has a share in co-sponsoring agency, Shiner Record, for their set. That 30 minutes includes getting onto the stage, plugged in and tuned up, and then, after their songs, leaving the stage as they found it. Their sets must include all original music, except that they must perform one cover song.
Joshua Jones
Leading off were The Troubaderos, a four-piece group made up of J.R. Royall on vocals, Michael Marchioni on lead guitar, Erik Malm on bass, and James McCalley on drums.
These men kicked it off with their cover, a Tanya Tucker hit from way back when, called “When I die I may not go to heaven,” then went into their original music. An unusual song with lyrics that caught so many’s attention was one that could double for a Justin Boot commercial: “What’s So Great About Cowboy Boots?” The song bounced along as the singer explored other symbols of Texans, i.e. What’s so great about a cowboy hat.. a pickup truck… etc. It had a good beat as the band explained that these items really are great.
Three-part harmonies, almost barber-shop style, and a twang to the guitar highlighted the performance, speckled with rockabilly, honky tonk, and good-natured fun.
At critique time, Brett Dillon, also with KHYI, commented first on the great harmonies, as did judge Chuck Taylor, who also mentioned that the band’s beat got off just a second at the very beginning. The third judge, Kelly Dearmore, chuckled when he said he couldn’t figure out at first about what was up with the cowboy boots tune, especially since loafers were being worn on stage. “But then it made sense,” he said, talking about following the lyrics through. “You sounded tight asnd professional, in a good way. It was kind of a roadhouse thing, a chicken-wire fence feel. There is not enough honky-tonk type country music.”
Photos of The Troubaderos
Second up was the trio Sidekick Mafia. Justin Pickard on guitar and vocals, Matt Brannon on bass and vocals, and Brondon Esco on drums presented a different style and music, a low-keyed twist from regular Texas music. They picked a lesser-known Woody Guthrie tune as their cover.
Brett called their set a “great job.” He compared them to a combination of Stray Cats and Social Destruction, with rockabilly thrown in. “Justin, great pickin and vocals, and I love the little jig you are doing.”
Taylor said he was a big fan now. His negative critique included that KHYI is looking for radio-friendly songs, and “You kind of mentioned getting high and other drug references. Stay away from those.”
Dearmore said he liked the way Sidekick Mafia “stylized the cover. This is a chance to show your style on a familiar or not-so-familiar tune.” He also commented favorably on one of their originals, “Natalie.” 
Photos of Sidekick Mafia
Andrew Delaney & The Horse You Rode In On were in the contest for the third year in a row. This year, Delaney brought with him three other musicians: Trevor Pulvor on lead guitar and backup vocals, Greg Pierce on bass, and Jeromy Bailey on drums. This band differed in their set-up in that they had a 5th man on stage helping them plug in and set up.
Delaney introduced their cover as being by somebody from Minnesota. When they kicked in with the song written by Prince, Jones kicked in with a few dance steps.
At critique, Dillon told the crowd that “I’ve been following Andrew for a long time. He is one of the best songwriters in the country.” Then, he turned to Andrew and said, “You know what you are doing and love what you are doing. I enjoy the craftsmanship in the words and the tunes. I liked the Prince tune. You brought it to the table.”
Taylor stated, before his critique, that none of the bands followed Jones’ tip that he had been and will be leaving on Twitter each Thursday morning. Apparently, that morning’s tip was to mention the Brett Dillon documentary “The Last Great D.J.” to score a little higher with the judges. “But everything else was really good.”
Dearmore, who also judged the contest last year, told Delaney he was glad to see him back in the contest. “I am a fan.” He commented that Pulver brought his mellow groove he held with his former band, Four Left Turns, to Delaney’s work.
Photos of Andrew Delaney & The Horse You Rode In On
Names of the winning bands each week are being announced at 9 a.m. on KHYI, 95.3 radio, the Friday mornings following the Thursday night contests.
Friday, D.J. Taylor was short and to the point when he announced the winner was Sidekick Mafia.
Next week and beyond:
Week 2, Aug. 4 — Love & War in Grapevine, Texas, 8 p.m.
- Davis Lane Band
- Southland Drifters
- Twisted Pistols
Week 3, Aug. 11 — Hat Tricks in Lewisville, Texas
- Jeremy Phifer
- Jake Bays
- Kerry Davis Band
Week 4, Aug. 18 — Club Dada, Deep Ellum, Dallas
- Pearl Street riot
- Jeff Whitehead
- Stone Roosevelt
Week 5, Aug. 25 — Southern Junction, Rockwall
- Dustin Perkins Band
- Coby McDonald Band
- Jessica Brooks Band
Week 6, Sept. 1 — Last Chance Saloon, Plano
- Blackbird Sing
- Byron Dowd Band
- Lauren Alexander
Week 7, Sept. 8 — LaGrange, Deep Ellum, Dallas
- Casey Daniels Band
- Rodeo Clown Dropouts
- The Dallahachie Boys
Week 8, Sept. 15 — Place to be determined
- Brad Dunn & Ellis County
- The Scrips
- Manny (Trevin) & The Gringoderos
Week 9, Sept. 22 Wild Card Round — Bands and place to be determined
- Two or three of the bands in Round 1 who weren’t selected, but who the judges believe deserve a second chance.
Round 2
Will include: Sidekick Mafia, winner of Rd 1, Wk 1
Round 3 — final
There will be weekly postings of the competition here on Scene In Town.com