Dick Gimble

Dick was blessed to be born in to a family of music…World Class Music.

Johnny began teaching him to play bass and guitar in junior high and hired him into the band the next year. They have played a thousand gigs since then.

Braggin’ Rights:

Dick has been lucky enough to play on records & on stage with Willie, Merle Haggard, Floyd Tillman, Walt Wilkins…perform on Austin City Limits backing Tom T. Hall, Merle Travis, Charlie Pride, Chet Atkins And Garrison Keillor and on another TV show…the ‘Grammys’… with Carrie Underwood. A recording he played on with his dad and Mark O’Connor received a Grammy nomination for country instrumental of the year.

Dick released his first ‘solo project’ at the age of 60 & continues to perform, and is a professor in the Music Industry Careers Department of McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. Marilynn, his lovely wife of 40 years, and he have three wonderful children: Jon Richard, Jeni Re’ and Emily Ann (who is an amazing singer and pianist in Austin).

Kayla Ray

Kayla Ray is a young Texas Native who delivers country music with rawness and honesty.  Her music is polished by her feminine sass and bright smile. While she was raised solely by worldly experience and heartache, Kayla has had the incredible ability to overcome any circumstance. The fire this ability has built inside of her rings loud and clear in her genuine delivery of pure country music. She has surrounded herself with music from our past; growing up she poured over the work of country music giants such as: Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Willie Nelson. Although the influence of these artists is prominent in her strong delivery and original lyrics, she has developed a truly unique and captivating style that is all her own. She is very proud and “blessed” as she puts it, to have had the opportunities that she has had thus far in her music career.

Growing up in the Waco area, she had countless opportunities to perform with Johnny, Dick and Emily Gimble. And with the help of Tommy Allsup, at 19 she toured two Christmas Ball circuits with The Texas Playboys.

In 2012 Kayla began tour managing and performing with Jason Eady’s full band. Certainly you can imagine the kind of fire it takes a young woman in her budding twenties to manage male musicians twice her age. In this role, Kayla did not disappoint. It seems as if she thrives in adversity, loving every moment and singing with conviction, every mile. 

In August 2014, Kayla released her first full length album “Love and Liquor”. This album, produced by her employer, and mentor, Jason Eady, is a collection of all original country songs, not the new wave “country music” that exploits marketing tactics,  the kind of country music that sticks to your ribs and shakes your inner core. 

“Love and Liquor”was reviewed by countless bloggers and professionals. A few mentions are :

“Kayla embodies everything that was and should still be country music. Kayla is a sweet spirit with a love of music and the songwriting and performing ability to let the good times and the tough times of her upbringing shine through.” -Brian Strickland Music of New Braunfels

"Kayla Ray is a breath of fresh COUNTRY air. In music genre filled with people trying to sound like other people, Kayla forges her own sound. Much like Loretta and Tammy, before her, she writes and sings from her HEART. Real life is what Country Music is all about, and Kayla Ray sings and writes REAL Country Music, and that's hard to find in this day and age." -Jim Nash 106.9 The Ranch Corsicana, Tx 

In 2015 Kayla was named TRRMA’s “New Female Vocalist of the Year”. She is a 4 time MACT Female Vocalist of the year and the album “Love and Liquor” made many top ten lists in both 2014 and 2015.

Outside of her time with Eady, Kayla began her performing in the Central Texas regions and has now grown to touring nationally. Opening for a conglomerate of acts, as well as headlining many of her own shows, despite her youth, she has lifetimes of experience. 

Kayla has followings Texas wide as well as deep through the Mid-West. She looks ahead with optimism at the opportunity to tackle new markets in 2016. With two TRRMA charting radio singles (“Southside of Town” and “Still Wanting You”) under her belt and an arsenal built of a stellar band, as well as an emporium of original music, we look to see 2016 to be Kayla’s finest year. 

Brazos Brothers

The Brazos Brothers are an acoustic duo who have been playing together since 2017.  During a set with The Brazos Brothers you will hear some classic country, a little red dirt, some classic rock tunes, maybe a little R&B, and some classic standards and maybe even some surprises along the way. There is going to be something for everyone to enjoy through a set from The Brazos Brothers.! 

Mack Abernathy

This native Texan singer/songwriter started writing songs and playing guitar at an early age.  A former collegiate and Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association member, Mack learned early on the value and advantages of being an independent thinker and writer.  His ability to write songs and pick songs from other writers that people can relate to in everyday life is quite evident in the albums that Mack has recorded and in his stage show.  

   Under the guidance of Hall of Fame steel guitar player, Tom Brumley (long-time member of Buck Owens and the Buckaroos), Mack went to Nashville to record the “Different Situations” album with producer, Vic Clay.  Not afraid of going against the grain, Mack picked Floyd Tillman’s “Slippin’ Around” as the first release off the album, which landed on the Billboard Chart.  To show versatility, the second release from the album was the title cut, “Different Situations”, a very upbeat song.  The “Different Situations” video won the Lone Star Award at the Houston International Film Festival, and received airplay on The Nashville Network and CMT.This song featured Nashville guitar guru, Ray Flacke (some pickers are still trying to figure out those licks!).  The result was another Billboard Chart song and a 5-country, 55-city tour of Europe.  When Mack says that he hasridden his tour bus all over the world, he is telling the truth as the Bandag Corporation, sponsor of the tour, shipped his tour bus overseas for this tour.  Upon returning stateside, Mack played many various venues, from The Farm Bureau Convention in California to political conferences in Indianapolis, Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic, and the Super Bull in Del Rio, Texas.  

   Mack’s writing ability was recognized by the Wholesale Beer Distributors Association of Texas when their executive director came to him and requested a song to be written to persuade members of the Texas Legislature against creating a new tax on beer.  Mack then wrote, “Don’t Tax My Beer”, a tongue-in-cheek song whose message that the working people did not need another tax, was written about in the Wall Street Journal.   

   In the spring of 2008, Willie Nelson’s XM Satellite Radio Station, Willie’s Place, picked up on Mack’s latest album, “Fire on the Line”.  You can hear a several cuts just about every day on XM Channel 13/Sirius Channel 64.  

   Always wanting to be mobile and have the ability to take his live show outdoors anywhere, Mack had the idea to make a semi rig that would transform into a large outdoor stage, complete with sound and lights.  Mackand long-time friend, Texas singer/songwriter, Kenny Zink, convinced Mack’s wife Jessie to help them build this rig.  This rig has been used at various venues from Texas Motor Speedway to many outdoor festivals, including Mack’s Mason County Country Music Festival in Mason, Texas.  On July 3, 2008, Mack and his band performed on Mack’s mobile stage at Willie Nelson’s Grand Opening at Carl’s Corner, Texas along with Willie, Darrell McCall, Leona Williams, and a host of other great country acts.  This mobile rig can be seen at www.prizmstaging.com . 

   Mack has always had a top notched country band as evidenced by some of his former players, such as Texas fiddler Bobby Flores, Tom Brumley, and Brett Beavers (Nashville producer of acts such as Dierks Bentley).

   Mack Abernathy’s music has always been received well in country radio.  Jerry King, former Program Director and current radio personality at KKYX in San Antonio, had this to say: “Mack Abernathy is the kind of singer and songwriter that country music is all about”. Bill Kinder, KSCS-Dallas radio personality, says, “Mack has talent and a down home attitude that relates to his listeners on a personal basis.”  In 2011, one of Mack’s original songs, “Texas”, made its way onto the Texas Music Chart.  

   Among Mack’s recent shows are the Brazos Nights Concert Series with Jason Boland and Eleven Hundred Springs in Waco, the USO Cook-off at the Houston Rodeo, the Texas Steak Cook-off in Hico, and concerts with Asleep at the Wheel and John Conlee at Johnny’s Outback in Salado.

   Mack has combined his singing and song-writing talents to create a country style that is all his own and one that his fans really enjoy and repeatedly want to hear.  

Ed Burleson

Ed Burleson, a descendant of General Edward Burleson, a war hero from the Texas independence Battle of San Jacinto, was born on June 10, 1969. Burleson's father was a salesman, so Burleson grew up in various locales around Texas -- Garland, Denison, Conroe, El Paso -- as well as in Tulsa, OK. Burleson eventually settled in Lewisville, TX, where he was on the high school rodeo team. It was traveling to rodeos and listening to small-town radio that introduced him to Texas music. Burleson won a rodeo scholarship to Hill College in Hillsboro, TX, and it was there that he first started learning guitar. Upon graduation, he acquired a knee injury that needed surgery. While recovering, his love for playing country music grew. He first started playing at a newcomer's showcase at the Three Teardrops Tavern in Dallas. The owner told Burleson if he could put a band together, he could play every Thursday night. (The drummer for that band was his father, Richard Burleson.) Burleson's first CD was 1997's Comin' Around. One night at the Broken Spoke Saloon in Austin, Burleson gave a copy of the album to Doug Sahm, who was so impressed that he became Burleson's manager. Sahm also polished up the CD and released it on his fledgling Tornado Records label. That effort, 1999's My Perfect World, hit number four on the Americana charts. 

Incredible Artists and an Incredible View

Davin James

Davin’s music is more “black water” than “red dirt”. That’s probably because he grew up watching his father play guitar on lake banks in North Louisiana and South Arkansas.

Davin James was born in Jackson Mississippi December 6, 1965. He attended grade school in Monroe, Louisiana and Eldorado, Arkansas. In 1978 he moved to Kingwood, Texas. This is where he learned to play the guitar. His dad, Mike James, bribed Davin to learn Merle’s, Ramblin’ Fever, for $100. “Keep your money, Dad, and put it towards an electric guitar,” Davin tells. The rest is history.

Through the 80’s, he played honky-tonks, covering Hank Jr. and Lynyrd Synyrd as well as top 40 country songs.

In 1995, Texas music legend, Gary P. Nunn was handed a cassette tape. “That really started my professional musical career”, says Davin. Gary P. recorded four of Davin’s songs; Guadalupe Days, Back In the Swing, If You Had A Mind Too, and Siesta Sunday for is Roadtrip CD.

1995 also gave us Davin’s first CD, “Making My Mark”, best known for the song “Guadalupe Days” and “Back in the Swing”. The latter landed in the movie “Happy Texas” in 1999.

Davin landed another song on Gary P. Nunn’s 1996 release, “Under My Hat”. The song was the auto biographical, “I’ve come a long long way”. Davin was also invited to play guitar on those sessions. The record was recorded at Willie Nelson’s Perdenales studio.

Davin’s 1998 was up and down. He lost his father in February of that year to a heart attack. He married in December to Tammy Sue. Along with Tammy came Dylan and Jesse. Then Garrett James joined them in May of ’99.

In 1999, Davin released his second effort, “Nowhere Lounge”. The title cut was written by his late father Mike James. It was during this time that Davin started playing dates and writing with Larry Joe Taylor. In 2000, Larry Joe’s, Heart of the Matter CD, included four Davin co-writes; Let’s Pretend, Robbin’ Peter, Two Steppin’ On The Beach, and Coconuts. Davin also played and sang on this recording. Some live shows were recorded around this time and Davin got included on Larry Joe’s Port A to Port B CD. It had another co-write with LJT; Take it Breezy. That song was also was recorded for LJT’s Summer Days CD in ’03.

Davin found success in 2001 with the CD, “Magnolia”. The title cut and another song, “Rolling Dice”, charted on the newly formed Texas Music Chart. “Those two songs remain my most requested. I usually have to do ‘Magnolia’, a couple times per night.” “Rolling Dice” enjoyed a radio and TV advertising campaign for Dodge.

In 2002, Davin started a singer-songwriter show in Old Town Spring (30 miles North of Houston) at a venue called Puffabellys. He has a guest join him every Wednesday for a song swap. His weekly guest list is quite impressive. On Wednesday nights, you’ll find the likes of Max Stalling, Ray Wiley Hubbard, Gary P. Nunn, Larry Joe Taylor, Tommy Alverson, and Adam Carroll joining Davin, just to name a few!

After Magnolia’s success, a newly formed label out of Dallas, Texas, Ranger Records, signed Davin to a three year deal in 2002. They basically re-recorded Magnolia and shot a couple of videos. The record was never released. When the Ranger deal ended, He put out a quick live record in 2005. It was recorded at Blancos, a legendary Houston haunt.

The Bad Ranger deal along with the pressures of relentless travel and road life caught up with Davin in 2004. He underwent angioplasty surgery and received three stints in his heart. He took this as a sign to do things his own way. Davin started buying studio gear. He recorded “Palmer Lake” at home in his new studio, “The Tater Shed”. It was released in 2006. “Old Soul”, was released in early 2009.

“Buck Owens Freeway” is Davin’s latest 2014 release. It features Kevin Fowler singing with Davin on “Sandbar” and also features Larry Joe Taylor singing on “Chillax” which he also co-wrote. The title cut has a co-write with Brian Burns. “Johnny’s Music, Billy’s Bible” is co-written with Doug Montgomery, Texstar Ford.

Kayla Ray

Kayla Ray is a young Texas Native who delivers country music with rawness and honesty.  Her music is polished by her feminine sass and bright smile. While she was raised solely by worldly experience and heartache, Kayla has had the incredible ability to overcome any circumstance. The fire this ability has built inside of her rings loud and clear in her genuine delivery of pure country music. She has surrounded herself with music from our past; growing up she poured over the work of country music giants such as: Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Willie Nelson. Although the influence of these artists is prominent in her strong delivery and original lyrics, she has developed a truly unique and captivating style that is all her own. She is very proud and “blessed” as she puts it, to have had the opportunities that she has had thus far in her music career.

Growing up in the Waco area, she had countless opportunities to perform with Johnny, Dick and Emily Gimble. And with the help of Tommy Allsup, at 19 she toured two Christmas Ball circuits with The Texas Playboys.

In 2012 Kayla began tour managing and performing with Jason Eady’s full band. Certainly you can imagine the kind of fire it takes a young woman in her budding twenties to manage male musicians twice her age. In this role, Kayla did not disappoint. It seems as if she thrives in adversity, loving every moment and singing with conviction, every mile. 

In August 2014, Kayla released her first full length album “Love and Liquor”. This album, produced by her employer, and mentor, Jason Eady, is a collection of all original country songs, not the new wave “country music” that exploits marketing tactics,  the kind of country music that sticks to your ribs and shakes your inner core. 

“Love and Liquor”was reviewed by countless bloggers and professionals. A few mentions are :

“Kayla embodies everything that was and should still be country music. Kayla is a sweet spirit with a love of music and the songwriting and performing ability to let the good times and the tough times of her upbringing shine through.” -Brian Strickland Music of New Braunfels

"Kayla Ray is a breath of fresh COUNTRY air. In music genre filled with people trying to sound like other people, Kayla forges her own sound. Much like Loretta and Tammy, before her, she writes and sings from her HEART. Real life is what Country Music is all about, and Kayla Ray sings and writes REAL Country Music, and that's hard to find in this day and age." -Jim Nash 106.9 The Ranch Corsicana, Tx 

In 2015 Kayla was named TRRMA’s “New Female Vocalist of the Year”. She is a 4 time MACT Female Vocalist of the year and the album “Love and Liquor” made many top ten lists in both 2014 and 2015.

Outside of her time with Eady, Kayla began her performing in the Central Texas regions and has now grown to touring nationally. Opening for a conglomerate of acts, as well as headlining many of her own shows, despite her youth, she has lifetimes of experience. 

Kayla has followings Texas wide as well as deep through the Mid-West. She looks ahead with optimism at the opportunity to tackle new markets in 2016. With two TRRMA charting radio singles (“Southside of Town” and “Still Wanting You”) under her belt and an arsenal built of a stellar band, as well as an emporium of original music, we look to see 2016 to be Kayla’s finest year. 

Touch of Grey

A classic rock cover band from the Waco, Texas area who consider themselves to be one of the hardest working cover bands around.  They share  friendship, experience and passion for classic rock and roll. If you want good music, a great time and a lot of energy, you've found the right band!

Shotgun Josephine

Shotgun Josephine has wowed audiences with their Southern Harmony take on Classic Country, Rock and Folk with a sound all their own. 
Melding the sounds of Traditional Country with the energy and attitude of Classic Rock and Folk, Shotgun Josephine are an Americana Acoustic Duo, bringing Classic Two-Part Harmony to a wide variety of both original music and covers. 

The Lucas Brothers Band

The Lucas Brothers Band is a great dance band from central Texas playing classic two-step and honkey tonk numbers! They also play originals that will soon become some of your favorites.  Look forward to a fun night! 

Previous Artists

Dueling Hearts

. "Dueling Hearts" is an energetic, uplifting bluegrass band and are a joy to watch. They perform traditional, original, and up and coming tunes sung with beautiful vocal harmonies and foot-stomping banjo licks that will be sure to get your attention.

Jonna Mae

Jonna Mae is a singer/songwriter from the Vail Valley in Colorado. She moved to Central Texas in 2014 and has been a traveling artist ever since. Jonna Mae’s music is a mixture of Country-folk/Americana with influences in Country and Blues. With her mandolin stylings, you will even find a hint of Bluegrass. She is not pinned down to any certain genre, which provides her live shows a truly unique and entertaining twist. Jonna has opened for the likes of Kenny Rogers, Radney Foster, Bart Crow, Randy Brown and many others. Sit back, relax, and let this artist take you on a musical journey with her stories and songs.

John Dempsy

John Dempsy is a singer/songwriter from the central Texas area. His career has spanned 15+ years now encompassing styles from classic country to outlaw country to blues and rock and roll. He is a multi-faceted talent, incorporating an array of stringed instruments as well as dabbling with piano and percussion. As well as being an extremely proficient writer and guitarist, he is also a very gifted studio engineer and producer. He will be the first to tell you "My ears are my greatest asset as a musician and my imagination is a close second. I could go blind any time but I need my ears." A strong resumé accompanies his musical gifts with appearances with songwriters like Jason Boland and Aaron Barker. Whatever musical style you enjoy, there's sure to be something in John Dempsy's repertoire that will strike a note with you, play on your emotions, make you laugh, and take you to the place he was when he wrote the songs. Visual writer is an understatement. Get in your car, turn on one of his records and just drive and I guarantee you will not take it off of repeat for quite some time. 

Shotgun Josephine

Shotgun Josephine has wowed audiences with their Southern Harmony Americana blend, giving them  a sound all their own. 

They write, produce, and record their own Original music.

They are members of the Fort Worth Songwriters Association, and are presently active in the Fort Worth/Dallas and North Texas music scene, playing their particular brand of Southern-Style harmony in cover songs as well as their own original material. They have also been active as long-time hosts at local Open Mics over the last two years promoting and featuring various singer-songwriters in the area.

 Susie has fronted Texas Country/Swing dance-bands in West Texas and has opened for such Country legends as Ray Price,Johnny Bush,Hank Thompson,Daryl McCall, John  Anderson, Kevin Fowler, Johnny Rodriguez, Jo-el Sonnier, and Clay Walker. She was also a co-bandmember with Bob Kelly on Steel Guitar who penned hits for George Strait. Her band also headlined at the Waylon Jennings Birthday Bash in Littlefield,Tx.

Randal spent his formative years on the Louisiana scene, playing with various stars of Swamp Pop, Creole and Zydeco music such as Rockin' Sidney, Beau Jocque, Jo-el Sonnier and Johnny Giordano.   Randal has also been a co-bandmember with such Louisiana musical luminaries who played themselves with the greats: Burton Gaar(Slim Harpo), Jojo Tate(Jerry Lee Lewis), Joe Gendusa( Fats Domino,jr/Oliver Morgan) and Phil Sperbeck(Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys).

 Melding the sounds of Traditional Country with the energy and attitude of Classic Rock and Folk, Shotgun Josephine are an Americana Duo, bringing Classic Two-Part Harmony to a wide variety of both original music and covers.   Every song, cover or original, is defined by this  Two-Part Harmony they have become known for in the Fort Worth region and other parts of Texas.  The harmonies are Folky and warm, and at times High and Lonesome.
 Susie's lead vocals are a perfect combo of Classic Country female singing with a Rock attitude and punch, supported by Randal's guitar playing, baritone harmonies and vocals.
Though primarily an acoustic duo, they are also able to Rock-out full band as well, with a show that is energy-packed and raw...

Shotgun Josephine are bringing classic Southern Harmony back to the people!

Gordon Collier

Hey, I know you. You're that news guy!"  That's right, when Gordon isn't on stage, he's probably getting ready for the nightly news.  Gordon has been in news broadcasting for many years both in Texas and Oklahoma. He is the main anchor for KWTX-TV in Waco, and can be seen weekdays at 6 & 10. Running down the news of the day is his passion, but music is his first love. Gordon got his first guitar at 14. A year later he started his first band. He's been playing in Texas Honky-Tonks, at weddings, funerals, parties, churches where ever people will listen for going on 30 years. His musical influences early in life were the Outlaws of country music. "I remember my dad had a handful of 8-track tapes in his old pick-up. We traveled quite a bit and everywhere we went it was Willie and Waylon, Johnny Cash and Jerry Jeff Walker blaring loudly on cheap speakers...I loved it. “ 

Music took the back seat for several years while Gordon was getting his broadcasting career off the ground. Singing and writing songs once again became a major part of his life when he made friends with some self proclaimed "Hillbillies" in Oklahoma. "I had a friend who lived on a ranch in the mountains of Southeast Oklahoma. He played fiddle, I'd sing and play guitar and musicians would come from all around to join in on the jam sessions on Saturday night." 

Stoney Gabel

Originally from Kansas, Stoney has been playing around the Austin area since 2005.  He got his start performing and writing songs in college when he was working as a bartender and got tired of hearing bands play the same old cover tunes every night. Stoney is a founder of a weekly group of songwriters that gather in South Austin every Tuesday to tell lies, play music, and hide from their wives.  They challenge each other every week to write something new based on a specific word or theme (often made up on the spot).  Since this group was founded five years ago, he’s written songs ranging from to ballads about the Waffle House to bluegrass tunes about Elvis sightings.  You can hear him twice a week on ‘Behind The Lines’ on Sun Radio - KDRP with frequent guest appearances by local Austin songwriters. 

Tommy Alverson

“Arlington's Tommy Alverson should be the permanent face of the independent Texas country music movement. He embodies all the hallmarks of the sound, and the mind-set. Alverson is Lone Star proud. He's artistically beholden to nobody but himself. He loves Americana music, that decidedly Texas blend of country, swing, Tex-Mex, Southern rock, folk and blues. He writes songs, but also has no qualms about recording good material from somebody else's pen. He's made a living playing music his way. Texas One More Time is Alverson's ninth disc in a career that has been incredibly steady. He's carved a livelihood playing and recording the music he cherishes in the state he calls home. That's the epitome of successful. He doesn't need anything else.”

Mario Tarradel - Dallas Morning News 

B & B Band

B & B (Mark McMahon-bass and Larry Davis-guitar and vocals) is Bosque County’s band that many love, and nobody hates. If you come to one of their shows, you're bound to hear something you like. The duo plays a little bit of everything from '60's and '70's rock to Texas Red Dirt Country. Willie, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, The Eagles, Sean McConnell, CSN, CCR, and a few originals all find their way onto the set list.

Donna Beckham

Donna’s ability to convincingly deliver a song whether country, rock or blues allows her versatility to shine; diversity that is typified by her influences: Waylon, Patsy, Loretta, Sheryl, Janis, Mellencamp and the “Gentle Giant” – Don Williams.  

She leaves no bullets in her pistol. Her songs go a little further back than dirt roads; each one tells its own story, her story, our story. She is a country girl with a God-given talent that has persevered through both personal and musical hardships and rejection.

She stands out in a field of Texas musicians as she is one of the few women who writes, sings and performs her own songs. Songs about dirt roads? Her songs are more about people on those dirt roads - their feelings, trials, and tribulations - their lives.

Rockin' A Ranch