Boldly emerging from the Lone Star State, Rory Payne and the Texas Trainwreck is a trio of seasoned veterans ready to turn the music scene on its head. Their sound is described as a crossbreed of Waylon Jennings and Dave Matthew's Band that raucously delivers progressive spirit steeped in bold Americana flavor. Ringleader Rory Payne's musical lineage is rooted deeply in the concert halls and cotton fields of Texas and he has been fused to a six-string since highschool. The Trainwreck was created in 2007 when, after a successful solo career, Payne started collaboration with percussion guru/Zimbabwe expatriate Dharmesh Doolabh and California bass virtuoso James Allan. The trio's diverse musical and cultural influences result in an eclectic blend of country, bluegrass and rock that defies genre boundaries. At the heart of the band's sound are Payne's refreshingly honest lyrics. Described as Bruce Springsteen singing Walt Whitman, he takes great care to create "something more than just words hidden behind the pretty music on the radio". The hallmark of Texas Trainwreck is well-crafted tracks that proudly embrace what makes country music great, yet insist on an open-minded worldview and highlight the joys of shared human experience. Texas Trainwreck has posted impressive independent sales and caught the attention of industry heavyweights. The band has garnered radio airplay and headlined regional music festivals. As lifelong students of music and road-tested performance veterans, the trio create a witty and energetic live experience that has earned a dedicated local fanbase. With an unrelenting work ethic, Rory Payne and the Texas Trainwreck have developed an LP-style compilation featured on MySpace. Payne hopes to make people dance and ultimately impart that in life "really terrible things are done in the name of what's good and sometimes, good things come from unexpected places...the rest we're all trying to figure out together". Texas Trainwreck is in the studio working on material for a debut album slated for mid 2009. They look forward to touring in support of the release, have a special eye on the SxSW music festival and are developing licensing platforms for film, television and major media outlets. Standing on the pulse of a rising career, Texas Trainwreck hopes to to reacquaint growing audiences with the independence and free spirit of country music while remaining true to the ideals of good time rock n roll.

8:00 – 9:00 PM

Grayson County Line Band has their own sound. You can’t put them in a category because they play Texas Country to 60s Rock with a little 90s Alternative. Major influence for the band’s music are The Outlaws of Country down to CCR & the Eagles, Peter Dawson, Randy Rogers Band, & Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters.

9:00 - ???

Life ain't always been easy for this North Texas countyfyed group of trouble makers. See before they were PUSHROD, they where known as inmates ..3445312, ..3446771, and ..4111329 at the infamous Huntsville State Penitentiary, located in beautiful Huntsville, Texas. See Mike and Dan where already in, serving a 4 year for aggravated assualt, and staging illegal "street races". It wasnt till' 6 months later that they meet Jimbo, who was in for bootlegging, and distribution of illegal motor parts, that the three actually meet for the first time. They where offically residence of cell block B, and were'nt going anywhere for awhile. While in Huntsville doin' time together the three became quick friends and vowed that when they got out they would start a band, not to become famous, but to tell the stories of their lives, and hardships, and on September 14th, 2004, Mike and Dan walked out of ol' HSP, and went to get their guitars. Jimbo on the other hand still had 3 months to go. So in the mean time, the brothers wrote over 70 songs using ideas and stories that the three had talked about while on the inside. Then on December 8th, 2004 Jimbo Mac, age 23 from Leonard, Texas, walked out of Huntsville State Penn, and into a waiting pick up truck that took him directlly to his drum kit and his fellow cell mates. The rest as they say is history.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

2Bartown... There is not a whole lot to say, well really more than a man wants to write. 4 guys doing the one thing they love and getting the chance to share that feeling with the world. The band "2BarTown" was put together in 2008 as more or less a few guys getting together playing a few nights a week, drinking some beer, and having a good time. In a matter of months the group started playing some local venues around North East Texas on the weekends anywhere they could get a gig. As time went by band members came and went and the group slowly evolved into the family that is now "2BarTown". Roaming from Dancehall to Jukejoint across the great state of Texas every Friday and Saturday night, just a few guys living to play and playing to live. Any thing else you would like to know just give us shout, I am sure we will see you somewhere down this old honkytonk road.

12:00 – 1:00 PM

You can’t label them. With likely the broadest cover list you have ever heard, AceHigh has been delivering a wide variety of fan favorites for years now. Lately, they have continued to reach for new areas in their music, and their fan base is reaching new limits. In the last year, AceHigh, comprised of Mark Rattan, Charlie Jones, Ben Vincent, Sam Noth, and John Apodaca, has really taken off around North Texas and clubs, corporations, small businesses, and individuals are lining them up for their venues. After 20 years of playing the local clubs in North Texas, all the members of AceHigh went their separate ways except lead singer, Mark Rattan. Playing locally during those years, he picked up a knack for keeping dancers on the floor and playing songs that were sure to please the crowd. Gradually, as members left and new ones came on board, the face of the group started to change and the versatility began to show. Charlie Jones joined the group as a drummer, but later took his natural position as lead guitarist. He had toured the Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico circuit with Breakheart Pass and Reno Bound where he gained the majority of his versatility on the road. His vast song list is matched by none, and he is often asked to play songs from many different artists. Ben Vincent brought with him the steel, fiddle, and electric guitar and broadened the possibilities even further. Ben had traveled extensively with The Wild Red Horse Band, and spent several years backing up The Burrito Brothers at places like Disney World and The Grand Ole’ Opry. Sam Noth brought a different spin to things with his bluegrass background on the bass. He started very young with The Meadow Lake Boys, and he later played fiddle for Wade White. Charlie, Ben, and Sam all played for Robert Joe Vandigriff and appeared in several episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger. With all the members basically learning the “old school” way (by ear), John Apodaca brings his UNT Bachelor of Arts degree in drums & percussion to the table, polishing out the five-piece group’s sound to what it is today. Vocally, Mark and Charlie lead the charge with songs from every gender you can imagine. Ben and Sam both provide strong harmonies and also sing their own versions of favorites that you are sure to know. Their set lists stretch from George Strait and Allen Jackson to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Steve Miller. They can cover Bob Wills Texas Swing, and then jump to Buddy Holly and Elvis. They also cover Texas Music songs from Jack Ingram and Stoney Larue, while playing both CCRs...Creedance and Ragweed. At different times, this group of musicians has opened up shows for Garth Brooks, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams Jr., Hank Thompson, Asleep at the Wheel, Gary Stewart, Lee Greenwood, Ricochet, Ricky Lynn Gregg, and many others. They are a favorite at Company Parties, Corporate Functions, Wedding Receptions, and any other event where live music is required.

 1:00 - 2:00 PM

 






2:00 - 3:00 PM

John David Kent and the Dumb Angels are somewhere west of Hank Williams and east of the Rolling Stones; north of Kris Kristofferson, but south of Wilco. Somewhere in that wild, unruly country where people invent nonsense genre names like..."Alt Country",..."Tx Country"..."Southern Rock".

3:00 - 4:30 PM

      Audley hit number one on the Texas chart with "Lucky Me, Lonely You" and he could do it again with a single release of "Muddy Water." One of the indicators that Audley is on his way to the top is the unique quality of his voice. When you listen, try to pin point exactly who he sounds like. You can't. Audley's voice is just slightly different than all the other stars making the airwaves today. That's going to be a huge asset in his career. Oh sure, he sounds almost like this one or that one, but after hearing him for a while, it becomes easy to recognize Audley as soon as you hear him. This is a characteristic of superstars.
      Audley writes or co-writes three of the dozen cuts on this faithfully country album. This album has all the attributes of a great debut offering and leaves us poised to receive the next album with open arms. Audley covers the Clark/White clever tongue-in-cheek novelty "If It Ain't One Thing" cementing one of Jerry's catch phrases, "If it ain't one thing, it's your mother." The Tommy Barnes cover, "I Just Want To Hold You," will become an anthem for young love when discovered by the masses. It will easily become a 'most dedicated' song on Texas radio if given the chance.
      Audley's rise to the top of the charts came on the back of "Lucky Me, Lonely You," originally recorded by Brooks and Dunn. The song would have been served well by fellow Texan, Buck Owens if he had ever recorded it. Jerry Audley has an underlying theme in this album that is subtle in nature, but powerful once recognized. Almost every cut is traditional in delivery, but arranged with every perceptible modern technological asset available. The performances are tight, perfectly mixed and mastered, and Audley's vocals are spot on. Co-produced by Audley and Paul Osborn, you'll want to remember this album when award season comes around. This disc is just the beginning for Jerry Audley.

4:30 – 6:00 PM

If you think the Ida Road Band sounds small town, there is a reason for that. Simply put, they are. Not only do most of the members of the band live in or around the small town of Tom Bean now, it is where they grew up and where their roots are. While James and Mark both grew up in Tom Bean they both did have their stints away from the town. After high school James decided to play football at Ranger Junior College, but after deciding that wasn't exactly for him, he let the west Texas wind blow him out to San Angelo. While in San Angelo James took up work as a ranch hand and would eventually meet his future wife Heather. It was through Heather, James would meet Chris and a life long friendship would begin. Chris grew up in the hill country of Austin and his taste in music would definitely reflect that. After high school Chris to moved to San Angelo and went to school there for a period of time. While attending Angelo State, Chris met his wife, Kim, whose best friend, Heather, was James's future wife. After high school Mark decided to join the US Army. It is true that while operating as a Combat Engineer for the Army Mark was "stuck" in Hawaii with the 25th Infantry Division, it was still a long way from home. It is here that Mark really gained an appreciation for "Texas Country". It was his own brand of music that he and other people from his area could identify with. There are many of nights when a guitar and a song about a waitress named Sherry kept the homesickness at bay. After moving back home and settling into the rigors of life, it wasn't long before Mark was taking that same guitar to James's house. With someone as passionate about music as Cliff, it doesn't take long for others to catch on. Working in the flooring industry in the Dallas area it was inevitable that Chris and James would not only work with Cliff but would come to find out his love for all kinds of music. He was after all born in Nashville, but to his credit, he didn't stay long. Being an army brat, Cliff would move from town to town. He settled in Dallas and met his wife Tina and they now hail from Sachse.

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Burleson’s Texas bloodline goes back as far as his name: Bennett Edward Burleson IV. Born in 1969, he grew up in a music-loving family that moved frequently because of his dad’s sales career. They landed in Lewisville, where Ed joined his high school rodeo team — a choice that led directly to his music career. In college on a bronco-bucking scholarship, Burleson traded some riding tack for a guitar. After graduation, he moved to Dallas and joined the professional rodeo circuit, but got lassoed by a knee injury. Recovering gave him enough free time (or boredom) to get serious about music. He decided to leave the cowboy life to follow another kind of Texas tradition as a country singer/songwriter. Visiting Dallas’ Three Teardrops Tavern to hear his country heroes earned Burleson an invitation to do an open-stage set. The bar owner then offered him a regular Thursday night slot if he could assemble a band in four days. That band’s drummer, Richard Burleson, still performs with his son. Ed’s first recording was Live at Three Teardrops. His next, Comin’ Around, got him to the Broken Spoke, Austin’s real-deal dance hall. Sahm was there, and Ed gave him a CD, which Sahm loved so much, he wound up re-releasing as Perfect World. He also became Burleson’s manager, but two weeks after performing at Ed’s CD release party, Sahm was gone. Without him, the album floundered, and so did Ed’s career. But he didn’t give up. Laboring by day and playing as many nights as he could, Burleson built a strong fan base.

8:00 – 10:00 PM

Davin James honors his heritage, and it reflects with pride in his music. Respectfully traditional, Davin embraces country music with emotion. The son of a riverbank singer and campfire guitar picker, this Mississippi-born artist follows his heart to perform the country music from which he was raised in those rugged backwoods.
    Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Davin spent his youth in Louisiana and Arkansas, later growing up in Southeast Texas. When James was just knee-high his father would take him on overnight hunting and fishing trips. At the close of the day, under a blanket of stars, next to a crackling fire, they'd sit. It was here, surrounded by the peace and solitude of primal nature, his father would play the guitar and sing songs from early country radio. Those outings made a lasting impression on Davin, and he absorbed the music that surrounded him. By twelve, Davin had picked up the guitar and had seriously begun to play the instrument himself.
    James was deeply influenced by this father, who passed along his love for the rich music and heritage of the South. Davin's passion for making music also came through other influences such as Merle Haggard, George Jones and Bob Wills. The Southern Rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd offered up inspirational playing for James, but his world stopped when he heard Hank Williams, Jr's "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound." "He put all that stuff together..." Davin shares, "...Hardcore Honky-tonk, Blues, Gospel, Southern Rock." Like Hank, Davin is unwilling to confine himself to a 'box'. With echoes of the greats of Southern Country, Rock and Blues in his heart, he puts his unique stamp on the rich combination of the musical sounds that originate from Dixie and the Lonestar State.

10:00 - ????

      
     Jarrod Birmingham’s CD, “No Apologies,” spawned a 1 single and earned the country music outlaw a top ten spot in the Best Of Texas Top 30 songs of the year.

      He has been compared to Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, Jr. and producer Eric Paul described the country traditionalist as “the first real singer of the 21st century.” Humbled by the accolades, Birmingham attributes his pure and gritty musical style to his true grit life style.

      “I believe that country music should reflect the common people,” says Birmingham. “That’s pretty much my mission statement, to stay grounded in the knowledge that I‘m a blue collar individual, a country boy. There are a lot of people out there like me, and I’d like to be their voice.”

      This South Texas native is no manufactured “hat act.” Birmingham is a REAL cowboy. A former professional bullrider who has enough pins, plates and screws in his body to make it difficult to pass an airport scanner, Birmingham’s music is steeped in stark realism.

      “I never really quit riding bulls,” he laughs. “The music just sort of took over. But, what you see is what you get when you deal with me, and that is how I want to come across through my music.”