PAWLESSFEST Outdoor Texas Music Festival

Brian Burns

In 1997 BRIAN BURNS released his first solo album, “Highways, Heartaches, and Honky-Tonks”.  His second album, 1999’s “Angels & Outlaws” produced “Welcome To Texas (Now Don’t Forget To Go Back Home)” which dominated FM heavy rotation lists. 

Brian's 2001 release, "The Eagle & The Snake: Songs Of The Texians", was based on the history, folklore, and culture of Texas. With it came “I’ve Been Everywhere (In Texas)” and the single, "Evangelina”.  Brian's latest album release, "Heavy Weather", has 12 new Brian Burns compositions and 4 exciting covers.

Vince Bell

Vince Bell: His songs have been performed and recorded by such diverse talents as Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith. He has released four critically acclaimed CDs. He is the author of an autobiography, One Man's Music, and his new book, 'Sixtyeight Twentyeight," is "the life and times of a Texas writer and a flat-top box guitar." Referring to Bell's fellow Texas songwriters (Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett and herself) Nanci Griffith said, 'From all of us who were  beating the paths around Texas in the 70s, I always felt Vince was the best of us.' 'Vince is a poet,' said the late Townes Van Zandt” He writes songs about his life, and when I listen to Vince's songs, I want to know about the person singing the songs. I think that's what great songs do," said Lyle Lovett. Bell has appeared on Austin City Limits and such nationally broadcast radio

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Jessi Lynn

Grammy Nominated singer / songwriter, Jessi Lynn, was born and raised in a family that encouraged change and allowed dreams to grow. She found her way to the stage with the influence of Reba McEntire, The Judds, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow and Jewel, and since then, has never looked back.   She has been nominated for thirteen Grammy Awards.

Tom McElvain

Tom McElvain is a singer songwriter from North Texas with a special blend of country, blues, and rock that forms an acid country experience  sure to titillate the senses. With a booming rhythm section and furious lead, Tom McElvain is the first fresh artist to come along in a while with a passion for country music and a voice that sets him apart from the crowd. Tom's vocal tones are reminiscent of Gary Allen with a vocal range that can be exploited at will.

Andy Serna

Here is a link to a video of Andy on stage with Vince Pawless at last year's event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JJagpX17UM

David Byboth

Scotty Thurman & The Perfect Trouble Band

When you come see Scotty Thurman and the Perfect Trouble Band perform, it is guaranteed that you will have a damn good time. Their incomparable sound ranges from slow, hold me close dance tunes to hard-core, red dirt Texas country, infused with rock ‘n’ roll. Each one of The Perfect Trouble Band members are definitely a key part of what makes their shows so great and unforgettable. Each one having their own individual stage presence, you can’t take your eyes off them. One can’t help but be in awe and immediately fall in love with their unique brand of music.

Bone Doggie & The Hickory street Hell Rasiers

Pump Jack Mary

Up the Creek

Playing in and around the Denton area, Up The Creek performs their own versions of tunes, ranging from traditional bluegrass music to more contemporary Americana sounds.  Drawing upon influences  from artists such as Merle, Lefty, Hank and Townes, as well as masters from the gypsy jazz and surf music scene, they blend the old and the new, the traditional with the eclectic.
Whether playing festivals or venues around Denton, Up The Creek will surely set your toes to tapping with their unique brand of good-time music.  Their lineup includes Matt Riley on upright bass, Gary Washmon on fiddle, Ray Williams on mandolin and lap-steel, and Jack Ryan on guitar.  

Mike Rickwa

Mike Rickwa, is one of Country Music’s Artist, that has the voice to keep his audience focused and enjoying the music he performs. In a band know as The Rusty Water Band back in the 1980’s they traveled and played a lot of Texas Honky Tonk’s. From Johnny Cash, Meryl, Waylon and many other country artist, Mike can perform their songs with ease. Mike has written his on songs. One being “ Peace In The Valley”. This song has great lyrics and a great tempo. Back in the 80’s, Mike recorded this song and others at Blacks Studio in Myra, Texas.  Mike has fun performing the Auctioneer Song.  Mike and his granddaughter Linsday Star enjoy doing Johnny and June’s “Jackson” they keep the audience clapping and singing along.

CC Cross

She's our local girl-next-door with a feisty blues, soul-shining voice and the ability to transport the listener to a livelier dimension of the universe. Singer, Christen "C.C" Cross was born and raised in Waco, Texas gaining popularity through her love of music and her unique way of dazzling listeners with her raw energy as a performer as well as her heartfelt songwriting and singing. C.C.'s career seemed inevitable with her early passion for performing and musical inspiration provided by The Gatlin Brothers, The Outlaws, and all the rest of her favorite 70's and 80's country artists. Her shining, singing the blues voice is a distinctive instrument on it's own as she gains momentum with the release of her first c.d. this year.

C.C. bears watching, mark my words, as she brings a new level of blues tinted sunshine into the country music / southern rock world. C.C. is an original and will control the direction of her road.

In December 2006, the C.C. Cross (Christen Carol Cross) Band was formed. The C.C. Cross band made a name for themselves as a very unique sounding Texas music act, with C.C.'s powerful vocals and the original writing styles of both C.C. and John Cross. During 2007 and 2008, C.C. and the C.C. Cross Band, played over 272 shows each year either acoustic or full band. C.C. released her first c.d., "The Next Heart You Break", recorded during several trips to Nashville and fine-tuned in Dallas, in late July of 2009. The c.d. is being well-received, and C.C.'s first single off the c.d. "Austin" is doing well on Texas radio. There are many great things to come from C.C. in the years to come.

Monte Dutton

My principal job is writing about NASCAR(see  http://nascar.rbma.com). I was the January 2008 recipient of the  George Cunningham Award as the National Motorsports Press Association's writer of the year. I've written several books about NASCAR, the most recent being Haul A** and Turn Left: The Wit and Wisdom of NASCAR (Warner Books) in 2006. My most recent book was about music, True to the Roots: Americana Music Revealed (University of Nebraska Press, 2006). Right now I'm writing a novel, though there's no guarantee of it being published. While working on True to the Roots, I taught myself to play basic guitar and write my own songs. Recently I've been trying to learn how to record my own music at home. I cover about two thirds of the NASCAR races. I'm interested in performing with my guitar at clubs located near Sprint Cup tracks. I also write columns about other sports, as well as a weekly feature column, at www.gastongazette.com. My life is changing, mainly in the direction I prefer.

Oliver White Group

Oliver White grew up in Marietta, Oklahoma, a small town just a few miles north of the Oklahoma/Texas state line. Both of his parents taught at the local school, his father was the band director, and his mother was the choir director. The White house was always enriched with all types of music, from Beethoven to Blood, Sweat, & Tears. Oliver's father eventually retired from teaching to get involved in a music ministry with his church. This part of Oliver's childhood included playing southern gospel music with his parents in churches all across the south. A little later in life, Oliver played the trumpet in the school band, but it wasn't long before boredom set in and he picked up his first guitar. After graduating from Marietta High School, he attended college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma with the intention of becoming a band director like his father. It didn't take long, however, for Oliver to realize he'd much rather MAKE music than teach it. A short time later, he and some friends put together a blues band called "Little Brother" with Oliver on lead guitar and lead vocals. He learned the ropes and honed his guitar chops before leaving the band and taking his music in his own direction. And so, "The Oliver White Group" was born. The OWG, as they have come to be known, have covered many styles of music, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Duarte, Buddy Guy, Ian Moore, and Doyle Bramhall II. However, their true strength is their original material. These songs are enriched with a blend of blues, roots, and modern folk that defy the boundaries of any genre. Songs about real life, real problems, real love, and real people.

Gobble Holler Symphony

Tony Desmuke, Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar Jerry Ray, Keyboards Shawn Scheller, Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals Sherri Guillot, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals Greg Guillot, Drums, Backing vocals.

Influences: Elvis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, Delbert McClinton, The Beatles, The Stones, Cream, Clapton, Bob Dylan, The Band, Little Feat, Doug Sahm, Willis Alan Ramsey, Michael Nesmith, Blue Rodeo, Gin Blossoms, Mark Knopfler, Electric Light Orchestra, Space Opera, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Goose Creek Symphony, Free Beer, Gordon Lightfoot, Poco, The Eagles. Thats enough for now.

Conrad Olson

Butch Morgan

I have been writing and performing for forty plus years. Though I have never been interested in the "BIG TIME", I have always held a burning desire to be a great songwriter and performer. I wrote my first song when i was 12 years old and just never stopped.
I have worked hard to hone my songwriting/performing skills. I do so enjoy what i do and cannot picture myself doing anything else.
Winner of many notable songwriting contest such as The Wildflower Music Songwriters Contest, and the K...

Dusty Smirl

Midnight Drive Band

Emerging from the Gainesville, TX area, Midnight Drive burst onto the Texas/Red Dirt Country scene in early 2011. Its five members Zac Grantham, Blake Easley, Jason Holder, Chad Henderson, and Victor Johnson all come from different musical backgrounds, which makes for a very unique, listener-friendly sound. Influences range from Texas/Red Dirt Country, Blues, Classic Rock, and Folk Rock. Midnight Drive is best described as a mix of No Justice, Whiskey Myers, Josh Abbott Band, and Zack Walther Band.

David and Christi Hansel

Texas Songwriter, guitar and harmonica player – Dave has currently written over 50 unique and original songs. “Time Like a Train” (1996) written about a job of twenty years and a marriage both going south, was the first song to be copy written. “Blue Collar Blues” (1980) followed by “Rolling My Blues Away” (2005) were added to list of registered songs….the meaning behind the lyrics still ring true today. Genuine lyrics combined with Dave’s unique harmonica and guitar style are reflected in his songs. Adding to the mix, background harmony vocals of his wife Christi along with bass player and good friend, John Geary.