For more photos, click on link at the end of this story.
With the change of time for Sunday’s contest (Jan. 29), starting this week at 7 p.m. instead of the usual 4 p.m., the early-birds wondered if the usual crowd would show up at Love & War for the weekly Rusty Wier songwriting contest. But, as 7 p.m. neared, there was no problem — fans and supporters of the seven contestants filed in, enthusiastic.
At the stroke of 7 o’clock, KHYI’s adio personality Brett Dillon welcomed the group to the Plano venue’s patio, toasty warm with overhead heaters and surrounded by temporary walls.
The contestants this week, 7 of the top 21 vying to move on to Round 3, were Cole Risner, Saille Branch, Jake Bays, C.C. Cross, Jason Royall, Town Walsh, and Tyler Rogers. Their styles and lyrics covered the gamut of emotions — from humor to sorrow to lost loves and found selves.
Judges Chip Campbell, Chris Schlotzhauer, and Dillon listened intently to the lyrics and watched the demeanors and stage presence of each contestant, and at the end of the night added their scores to those earned last week by the first seven contestants. The remaining seven will perform at 4 p.m. the second Sunday in February — laying off this week, Super Bowl Sunday.