RANDY ROGERS BAND

The Randy Rogers Band has accumulated quite a list of accolades: appearances on Letterman, Leno and Conan; 3-time nominee for Top Vocal Group by the Academy of Country Music; named Top 10 Must-See Artists in Rolling Stone magazine, etc. The Musicfest veterans, however, take the most amount of pride in their fanbase. Fresh off a tour with Miranda Lambert, the band is constantly reminded of why they play music – it’s the people. From small town honky-tonks to metropolis arenas, RRB is committed to putting on the best show possible for the folks that come out to see them whether it’s 10 or 10,000. As if playing 250+ dates a year doesn’t keeps the band busy enough, they are also currently working in the studio on their next album to be released in early 2012.

RECKLESS KELLY

For fifteen years Reckless Kelly has been doing things their way, bucking the mainstream system and playing by their own rules, straddling the fence between country and rock as if they built it themselves. Throughout the years their old school approach to recording has always adhered to one main objective: make each record better than the last. Their latest effort, Good Luck & True Love, is no exception to this rule. Recorded in an old farmhouse-turned studio in Austin, Texas, and released on the bands new independent label No Big Deal Records, the new album is pure, driving, uncut Reckless Kelly. The album is the 9th in RK's ever-growing catalogue and is the 3rd they have produced by themselves. The 10 new songs capture the essence of a road worn and battle scarred band of brothers that aren't afraid to take risks and tell it like it is. That's country rock. That’s old school. That's Reckless Kelly.

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS

The Turnpike Troubadours, whose name is derived from the bumpy Oklahoma toll-roads and their hard lived folk singing heroes, are proof that isolation can be the mother of originality. Cutting their teeth in roadside dance halls and honky-tonks has made a serious impact on the band’s musical style, which walks the line between Woody Guthrie and Waylon Jennings. Fast, gritty, and often drenched in beer, the Troubadours perform to both their fans and new audience members with a genuine sincerity about them. They continually gather ground both literally and figuratively as they travel up, down, and across the Midwest. Currently the band is promoting their 2nd album, Diamonds & Gasoline, which was produced by veteran producer and songwriter Mike McClure and mixed and mastered by legend Joe Hardy (ZZ-Top, Steve Earle).

MICKY AND THE MOTORCARS

Micky and the Motorcars, with their own brand of Americana rock, bring optimism and integrity to the band. For Micky and Gary, whose genetic musical legacy precedes them, playing and singing is damn near the only life they’ve ever known. The boys grew up in the Western mountains, playing music with their family: older brothers (Reckless Kelly’s Willy and Cody Braun) and father (full-time musician, Muzzie Braun). Nine years and six albums after MMC were founded in Challis, Idaho, the band still writes more than 90 percent of its music. MMC songs have credits ranging from Randy Rogers, Cody Canada, brother Willy Braun, Kevin Welch and more. Now, traveling nationwide more than 200 days a year, with a new album, Raise My Glass, the most rewarding thing for MMC is watching the crowds they perform for with the same raw emotion from their live release (Micky and the Motorcars Live at Billy Bob’s Texas) get bigger and bigger.

GEORGE DUCAS

George Ducas, born in Texas, but has seen his fair share of the country, as he has spent time in San Diego, California and Nashville, Tennessee. While residing in Nashville, Ducas collaborated with notable songwriter Radney Foster on the hit song, “Just Call Me Lonesome.” Shortly after, Ducas achieved success with hit songs such as “Teardrops,” “Lipstick Promises,” “Hello Cruel World,” and “Kisses Don’t Lie.” Ducas has continued to open for and perform alongside with some of the biggest names in country music such as Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, and Faith Hill. Ducas’ work continues to provide influence to the ever-expanding community of singer-songwriters and has been well-received among fans of genuinely good music.

THE DAMN QUAILS

A powerful combination of soul, country, blues, and folk, the Damn Quails have been flying under the radar until now. With the release of their debut,Down the Hatch, TDQ have started to make noise outside their home of Norman, OK. The collaboration that was first conceived by singer-songwriters, Gabriel Marshall and Byron White, has developed into a powerful live act that incorporates an added element of spontaneity. It has been noted that each song is never performed the same way twice, making each performance equally valuable to their audience. TDQ are up and now flying ‘over-the-radar,’ look out for The Damn Quails because surely you will not want to miss out on the Quails as they set out for higher ground.  

SUNNY SWEENY

Sunny Sweeny was born in Houston, TX, but raised in Longview, TX. Initially, Sweeney wanted to become an improv comedian and took off for New York City. While her talent for performing was obvious, Sweeney knew music was her destiny and shortly after moved back to Texas, residing in Austin. In 2007, Sweeney released her debut album, Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame. Since then, Sweeney has toured all over the United States and Europe, while continuing to write and perform new music. In 2010, Sweeney released “From a Table Away,” a hit song that would eventually land her in Top 10 Country charts. In March 2011, Sweeney released her latest offering, Concrete. The album has produced hits such as "Drink Myself Single" and “Staying’s Worse Than Leaving.”

MIDNIGHT RIVER CHOIR

Midnight River Choir is one of the hottest young groups on the Texas Music scene. Playing together since September 2008 they have put down roots all over Texas. Well known for making sure everyone is having fun, their audiences have come to expect it with each performance. That energy was culminated with their first album release Freedom Wine. Self-produced and released Freedom Wine has received much welldeserved success. Since forming, the "Choir" has taken their music from back room bars to some of the premier venues in Texas, grabbing the attention of fans of all ages and some of the industries favorites. Now pushing their soon to be released new studio album Welcome to Delirium?, don’t be surprised to see The Midnight River Choir in your home town soon.

JASON EADY

Mississippi native Jason Eady has come full circle on his third and latest released album, When the Money’s All Gone, delivering southern gospel stomps, New Orleans soul, and the heartbreaking tide of sin and redemption through his rich baritone voice and a raucous band. Produced by critically acclaimed songwriter, Kevin Welch, When the Money’s All Gone comes as both a calming voice for the current times and as a timeless album of blue-eyed, southern soul music. Jason and Kevin brought in some of their friends and some of the top Austin studio musicians to play on When the Money’s All Gone. These special guest appearances included the Band of Heathens, Kelley Mickwee and Kevin Welch himself. Growing up in Jackson, MS, and introduced to music by way of foot stompin, “Amen” yelling, and harmonizing Sunday mornings, Jason’s music is shaped and influenced by the environment of Southern culture so deeply engrained in him. Be on the lookout for Eady’s soon to be released studio album. AM Country Heaven, a collection of 12 brand new country songs featuring some of the greatest country players around today.

MATT SKINNER

As a musician, songwriter, artist and traveler, Skinner follows the traditional path of the ‘poet and a one-man band’ mentality where he holds fast to artistic integrity and truth with each earned note. A native of the Big Bend of Texas, graced with a keen eye for detail and imagery and coupled with a powerful, cultivated tenor voice, Skinner commands any stage with a tender ferocity and presence that is spellbinding in its organic honesty and mercurial resonance. Matt has been touring regularly as a duo with the incomparable, intoxicating, and theatrical vocalist, Amanda Brown. Together, they capture the raw spirit of music and create a harmonious magic with stoic elegance and infectious passion. Matt has released three solo albums, one independent rock EP with the supergroup, Eleven Bones, and his songs have also appeared in the Palm Tree Productions/Ranch Studios film, Secret at Arrow Lake (2009) starring C. Thomas Howell.