Old Mobeetie Texas Association

For Music Year 2007

THE STAR CANYON BAND
SAN ANTONIO, TX

We are happy to have The Star Canyon Band to perform at our festival again this year.

The band consists of Jeff Simmons of San Antonio, TX, Rick Curlee of Cleburne, TX, Tim Tynes of Burleson, TX and Eddie Stroud of Glen Rose, TX. 

Jeff Simmons has been the leader of The Star Canyon Band since its inception 15 years ago.  Having played music for what seems like “forever,” Jeff plays guitar and sings lead and harmony in The Star Canyon Band.  Born in Virginia, his music career began in the country music field, later taking the Nashville route where he shared stages with some of ‘the best’ before converting to bluegrass music in the early 1980’s.  To the enjoyment of his many fans, there’s still a touch of country to Jeff’s music.  Onstage, there’s no doubt that he loves performing and sharing his God-given talents with the bluegrass world.

Wes Perry started playing in 1979 when he got his first banjo.  He picked up the mandolin in 1984, which is now his favorite instrument.  You can find more information about him under The Perry Family, which is also booked this year.

Tim Tynes is an accomplished artisan on banjo and guitar and shares a portion of the vocal responsibilities of The Star Canyon Band.  Tim is originally from Louisiana, but has lived in the Fort Worth area most of his life.  During his 27-year banjo career, Tim has been a part of several bands and assisted with area banjo workshops.

Eddie Stroud is an excellent bassist and sings lead and harmony, as well.  A native Texan, Eddie was born, raised and works in Glen Rose, TX where he still lives today.  Eddie has been playing music for 15 years—starting out on guitar and later learning to play bass because “there never seemed to be anyone to play bass” for the jam sessions he frequented at nearby bluegrass music parks.  He’ll modestly tell you that there’s “nothin’ special ‘bout me,” but when he starts singing while playing guitar or bass, you’ll readily admits that the thing he loves most about bluegrass music is the people and ‘the people’ love Eddie as well.

This personable, dynamic foursome came together in this venture dedicated to ‘being the best that they can be,’ and they are definitely ‘entertainers’---each member is an accomplished lead vocalist and collectively, they perform some wonderful harmony coupled with one of the best balances of sound that you can hope to find.  From the pooling and refinement of individual members’ ideas, emerged the Star Canyon Band’s own novel style of entertainment—a lot of bluegrass, softened with a little country, a touch of folk music added, and a dusting of humor injected here and there.  They seem to have discovered the ‘mix’ that folks want to hear--an 1100+ fan base supports their extreme popularity.  These loyal fans readily proclaim these fellows to be “some of the most talented and nicest guys that you could ever hope to meet!”  Their presence adds a special touch to any event!

For your enjoyment and entertainment, we present a quality performance in a unique style with unity, energy, and enthusiasm--THE STAR CANYON BAND!!

THE BATTEN FAMILY
LUBBOCK, TX

Darrell and Tempie Batten began playing music in the 1960’s in their hometown of Lubbock, TX.  For the past 22 years they played Bluegrass and old time music with Bob Suggs and his wife Taliene.  Their group was known as Big Sandy.  Over time their children and eventually their children’s children began performing with them.  Recently Bob and Taliene have retired from performing due to health reasons, and they are truly missed on stage.

 The Batten Family currently has 4 generations of singers and musicians.  In April of 2003 they recorded 2 new CDs, one gospel and one bluegrass and have performed at various venues in Texas and Oklahoma. 

Darrell Batten (Granddaddy) plays rhythm guitar and sings lead vocals.

Tempie Batten (Grannie) plays upright bass and rhythm mandolin.

Kevin Batten (oldest son, PeePaw) plays lead mandolin and sings harmony.

Teresa Batten (daughter-in-law, Kevin’s wife, Mamo to Ethan and Madison) sings lead and harmony vocals.

Lisa Hilton (oldest daughter, Annabelle’s Mia) sings lead and harmony vocals.

Paul Batten (youngest son plays lead guitar and mandolin, sings lead and harmony vocals.

Bryan Batten (grandson, son of Kevin and Teresa) plays lead and rhythm mandolin, sings lead and harmony vocals.

Kelly Crowson (granddaughter, Lisa’s daughter) sings lead and harmony vocals.

Ethan Batten (great grandson, Bryan’s 5-year-old son) sings.

Lori Ann Gauntt (granddaughter 4 years old, daughter of Angie (youngest daughter) sings.

 We are thrilled to be at the Old Mobeetie Texas Music Festival.  We hope that you will come by our table to visit with us and mostly that you enjoy our part of the program.

FROM THE HEARTLAND BLUEGRASS
PURCELL, OKLAHOMA

Band members are: Carl Brown from Chickasha, Oklahoma on the Banjo – Dobro and backup vocals. Freddie Base from Tuttle, Oklahoma on Guitar – lead and backup vocals. Kenny Terral from Moore, Oklahoma on Mandolin – lead and backup vocals. Mary Mayhew from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Fiddle and backup vocals. Janis Lindsey from Purcell, Oklahoma on Bass – lead and backup vocals. "From The Heartland" formed in the early part of 2004. In April of 2005 they signed a recording contract with Platinum Plus Records out of Nashville. After recording their "One Little Kiss" album in May they were able to debut it on the Gibson Theater Stage at Fan Fair, Nashville June 2005. They are currently working on some new projects for their next album and looking forward to touring the world.

WICHITA MOUNTAIN BLUEGRASS
MT. PARK, OKLAHOMA

The Wichita Mountain Bluegrass Band is from Mt. Park, Oklahoma. Band members are Robert Johnston - vocals, guitar and mandolin. Elana Callen Johnston – vocals and mandolin. Betty Callen – harmony, vocals, autoharp. Bob Johnston – guitar and vocals. David Johnston – banjo. Steve Grayson - bass vocals.

MAGIC CITY COWBOYS
MAGIC CITY, TX

The Magic City Cowboys are a band keeping Western Swing swingin’.  Western Swing has sounds of Dixieland, jazz, blues, and the sound of the big western band.  It started with Bob Wills, Milton Brown, and the Lightcrust Doughboys.  It has ebbed and flowed and it’s enjoying a great resurgence in America today.  This will be the third year to play at the Mobeetie Music Festival.  They hope you will accept their version of the most melodic and down-to-earth sounds, which honor their hero, Bob Wills. 

Members of the Magic City Cowboys include musicians who played with Bob Wills and some that still play with the most famous dance band our part of the country has ever known The Texas Playboys.  The rest of the members of the group have played western swing all of their adult lives.

 John Mann is rhythm guitarist and a vocalist.  He is a trial lawyer from Magic City Texas raised on Bob Wills, Carl Smith, and Hank Thompson.  John is just honored that these fine men and musicians have welcomed and accepted him into their group.

 Jimmy Young  plays  the  fiddle.  Jimmy is  an authentic Bob Wills Texas Playboy  and is highly sought after by music producers and promoters around the country.  Jimmy is at the top of the list in terms of versatility and musical ability and tours with the Texas Playboys to this day, spending many hours with his fiddle-case boarding an airplane.  Jimmy lives in Amarillo where he works full time as a luthier and instrument repairman.  Jimmy is a member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame.

 Chet Calcote is the bass player.  This guy is “Mr. Musician”.  Not only is he one fine man  to be  around, his  versatility  and talent are unmatched.  Chet plays western swing, jazz, cowboy campfire music, in fact, Chet is playing in four different musical groups at the present time.  Having toured Europe with the late Leon McAuliffe (Steel Guitar Rag) as Leon’s bass player.  Chet was road manager and musical director of the group.  Subsequently, he settled down in Amarillo to raise his family and become an insurance executive.

 Tiny Duncan plays piano.  He started out hauling an upright piano from dance to dance  in  the back of  his  pickup back  in  the 1950’s.  He was nominated  for acceptance into the National Western Swing Hall of Fame in Sacramento, California.  He is, as are all the men of in the band, veteran of many recording sessions for various artists.  There is not a song he can’t play and not a key in which he cannot play it.  He is one heck of a musician.

AND OTHERS!!!!

Sound--Frank Cleveland

Master Of Ceremonies--Gina Seitz