Confirmed Artists
Special Surprise Guest	The Turnpike Troubadours cut their teeth in Oklahoma’s dance halls and honky-tonks. The band’s musical style walks the line between Woody Guthrie and Waylon Jennings. Currently, the band is promoting their second album, “Diamonds & Gasoline”, the follow up to their debut album “Bossier City”. “Diamonds and Gasoline” was produced by veteran producer and songwriter Mike McClure and mixed and mastered by Joe Hardy (ZZ-Top, Steve Earle), combines folk, country, Cajun, and bluegrass.
Kyle Park	Kyle Parks sings, writes songs, and plays guitar. In 2010, he released two new recordings - four and five-song EPs of country tunes, that will be foundation of a full-length album he plans to release this year. This Austin-born Texas artist has been writing since the release of his last album, “Anywhere in Texas” which featured a dozen songs written and co-written by Park. He believes today’s music scene requires constant touring, consistent recording, and giving fans new music quickly.
Houston Marchman Band	The driving force behind Houston Marchman is his ability to translate real life into music. Marchman spent his formative years soaking up the sights and sounds of America’s heartland absorbing the sounds of country, Texas folk, polka, conjunto and blues. Houston's 10th album, “Long Gone”, released in 2009, was a slight departure from his usual style. Houston maintained his singer-songwriter roots, but pushed it to the edge, once again showing the diversity of his writing and his music.
Kent Finlay	Kent Finlay hosts one of the premier songwriter nights in Central Texas. In fact, his Songwriter Night could easily be called the nucleus of Cheatham Street Warehouse. The packed houses and sold out advance tickets for big shows may pay the bills, but the Songwriter Circle is the reason Kent continues to keep it open.
John Arthur Martinez	John Arthur Martinez was born in Austin, Texas. He graduated with an English degree from Southwest Texas State University. His interest in music intensified during his college years. In 1998, John Arthur recorded his debut CD, "Spinning Our Wheels". He recorded "Stand Your Ground", his second CD, in 2001, which won him radio airplay in a number of major markets. He also released "On the Border, "Amor!Amor!" "Stand Your Ground", ""Lone Starry Night", "Rodeo Night", and "Live in New England".
Ben Morris & The Great American Boxcar Chorus	Live performances began early for Ben Morris, as one half of Jeff and Ben. Their “We Don’t Wear No Underwear On Our Foreheads”, was an instant hit on the living room scene and sofa circuit in and around College Station. The Boxcars’ music is easy to enjoy but difficult to define, drawing on countless influences and touching on many genres. The Boxcars CDs are "The Other Side of Broken", “Underground Railroad", and their latest, "There is no fun in Funeral" which was released in May this year.
Redd Volkaert - Guitar Wars	Red Volkaert, based Austin since 2000, plays with his own band and with others; does recording and TV work, and periodically flies to Nashville for recording dates. The former Merle Haggard lead guitarist has recorded five albums - “Redd Volkaert –Reddhead” (2008), “Redd Volkaert -For The Ladies” (2004), “Twangbangers -26 Days on the Road” (2002), “No Stranger To A Tele” (2001), and “Telewacker” (1998). This is his second BIGFest appearance to play a “guitar battle” with Big John Mills.
The McKay Brothers	It's always a good sign when guys who use "brothers" in their name are actually brothers. Noel and Hollin McKay are fifth-generation Texans who make music that celebrates Texas in an authentic manner, never straying far from their major influences such as Willie Nelson, Guy Clark and Robert Earle Keen. They have two CDs to their credit -“Cold Beer and Hot Tamales”, released in 2006, which was produced by Lloyd Maines and “McKay Brothers”, produced by Gurf Morlix, and released in 2003.
Paul Eason	Texas Music is filled with sub-genres, and rarely does an artist come along whose talents can’t be shoe-horned into one thing. Paul Eason, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist, defies convention. Pau's first CD was "Keepin' It 'Tween the Lines". He followed that with "The Mountains of Nuevo Leon". Paul says, "I like to write songs that are closer to reality. Sometimes, in order to be real you need to write about things that aren't very nice. But, at the same time, you want to have fun, too."
Adam Carroll	Texas born singer-songwriter, Adam Carroll regularly regular tours the USA, Canada, and Europe. His first studio records, produced by Lloyd Maines, included “South of Town”, and “Lookin' Out the Screen Door”. More recently, he recorded “Old Town Rock N Roll”, “Hard Times” and “Live At Flipnotics”. Adam Carroll is a songwriter with a rare command of the English language as well as an amazing sense of melody, and has drawn comparisons to performer such as Townes Van Zandt and John Prine.
Owen Temple	Austin, Texas-based songwriter Owen Temples CD, “Mountain Home”, released this year, is his sixth studio album. It is a collection of songs and stories about eccentric characters set in small towns and on the fringes of big cities. “I love traditional music- old songs that cross time…” Temple says. “With my songs I'm trying to get down some of the stories of this place.” Owen’s last album, “Dollars and Dimes”, made the Freeform American Roots chart and the Euro Americana chart.
Doug Moreland	Doug Moreland, Texas fiddler, songwriter, entertainer, and chainsaw artist currently resides near Austin, grew up in the Davis Mountains. He briefly pursued a musical degree, then had short stint as a fiddler/ funny man for dinner theater entertainment, toured with various acts, and finally came back in Texas to write his own songs and front his own band. His most recent CD’s are “Barnstormer” and “Doug Moreland”. Doug is also a noted chainsaw artist, a pursuit he started following 12 years ago.
Jason Allen	Jason Allen, born in Pasadena,Texas,started playing guitar at age five. By age 13 was already playing in honky-tonks and anywhere his parents could get him in. In 2000 Jason signed with Houston based label D Records and went on to record three more CD's "Something I Dreamed", "Wouldn't It Be Nice", and "Live At Gruene Hall “. His fourth CD, "The Twilight Zone", launched such hits as "I Just Called To Say I Love You" and "He's Still Dancing With Her".
Big John Mills & TheTexas Road Dawgs	What can you say about Big John Mills? Three-time winner of the Musician of the Year Award from Texas Music Awards, long time guitar player who has played professionally since the age of 12, Big John has shared the stage with the likes of Chubby Checker, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers and many others. He also played in Gilley’s House Band during the filming of Urban Cowboy, and can be seen in the movie. John recently released "T.H.A.T. (Tributes, Heartaches, and Texas)".
Rod Picott	Rod Picott hails from the small mill town of South Berwick, Maine. In the 90’s he was singing on the streets of Boulder, Colorado but then moved to Nashville. He co-wrote of “Broke Down”, song of the year at the 2001-2 Austin Music Awards and featured in the Michael Douglas movie, “Solitary Man.” He has five solo CD’s released. His songs have recorded by Ray Wylie Hubbard and Slaid Cleaves. Picott regularly tours the U.S. and Europe. His most recent CD is “Welding Burns”.
Foscoe Jones	Foscoe Jones has built himself a reputation as one of the Hill Country's most entertaining songwriters. He blends genres in a way that no one else can. He's a regular performer around the area, and is most often described by fellow musicians as their favorite songwriter. He's originally from North Carolina, but has found a home here.
Rex Robards Band	Texas Singer/Songwriter Rex Robards grew up on a small ranch in Central Texas where his family raised cattle and trained horses. Rex's love for performing music began at the age of eleven when he started playing the drums. It wasn't until the age of twenty that he put down his sticks, picked up a guitar and went to writing songs. His fans have often described Rex Robards as "The guy with a Nashville voice, but a Texas attitude".Rex performs some his best songs on “Why A Cowboy Sings The Blues” .
Richard Bowden	Richard Bowden is from Linden, Texas. In college, he formed his own band, Shiloh, which included future Eagles member Don Henley. In 1982, Bowden moved to Nashville, teaming up with songwriter Sandy Pinkard. After 16 years, Richard came home to Linden, where he is currently operating the non-profit The Music City Texas Theater in Linden. Some of the best of Richard’s songs are found on his “Big Bad Johnson” CD. He also recorded “Rising Over Texas” with his band Moon and the Starz.
Pake Rossi	From Lockhart, Texas, singer – songwriter Pake Rossi lists Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Robison as his major influences. He is playing regularly at venues all over the Southwest. His strong performances are earning him high praises on the area music scene. Pake recently released the critically acclaimed cd " For All that it's Worth" and is working on his second cd "Mercy of the Mountain" with David Beck and Paul Cauthen producing.
Jordan Minor	Jordan Minor stands as an imposing figure on the central Texas music scene. In his live performances he routinely demonstrates his unique ability to alternate between thoughtful interpretations of country standards that make the old songs sound new and well-crafted original tunes that often contain elements found in traditional music.Kent Finlay says “Jordan Minor may be the most exciting and original new songwriter I have heard since I first heard Adam Carroll.”
Gary Lovelady	Gary Lovelady is a life long rancher, a team roper and businessman who loves to sing about the cowboy life. His work is based on actual ranching, roping and pioneer experiences. He is married to Movie Set Decorator Carla Curry, who has extensive credits including Walk the Line, Tombstone, Major League, The Alamo, and Office Space. They live in San Marcos, Texas and own a high desert ranch in New Mexico where they run Black Angus cows. Gary has one CD released to date, "Cowboy Gold ".
Court Nance	Court Nance is a Texas State student who has been playing around San Marcos for a few years. He plays with several different bands, and is currently recording his debut CD at Cheatham Street Studios, witt Forest Wayne Allen producing.
Jon Brewer	Houston singer – songwriter Jon Brewer, says his musical philosophy is simple: God + music = life. "Music is just expressing the things of your life the best way you can. God and my struggles and my romantic adventures make up my music.”
Aaron Einhouse	Aaron Einhouse of Austin, Texas, has joined the next generation of singer/songwriters influenced by the likes of Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, and SteveEarle. Einhouse became interested in Americana/Texas folk music after attending his uncle’s funeral about a decade ago. It was then he heard Townes Van Zandt’s trademark tune, “To Live is to Fly,” and Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Gettin’ By.” His cd has gotten a lot of radio play lately, and his band has been playing regularly throughout the state.
Jimmy Baldwin	Top 40 Americana artist and GAC “Edge of Country" artist, Jimmy Baldwin's cinematic storytelling capture the essence of the "New Texas" sound - haunting and melodic, dark and tonal. "Somebody’s Nobody" is Jimmy’s debut CD. You may know his award-winning commercials for Motel 6 and his spots for Corona beer. But with his independent music release, Jimmy turns his talents to singing and songwriting. “Above all else, I am a storyteller,” he says. “A musical novelist.”
Grant Ewing	Grant Ewing is a an alumni of Kent Finlay's songwriters circle. Grant has led various bands featuring his unique, often quirky, songs.He debuted on record with "Rainmaker, released several years ago. He has also released the cd "Move"
Tres Womack and The Chubby Knuckle Choir	Tres Womack grew up in Brownwood, Texas and now lives near Austin. A former teacher and coach. He released ta 5-song EP “real simple”. In 2006 he contributed to a “limited release” live record as a member of the Get-O-Cowboys. Since that time, he’s stayed busy fronting his own band, the Get-O-Cowboys, and the Chubby Knuckle Choir. Tres' CD "Freak Show", features 12 unique songs all penned by Womack. His "Gather 'Round" was named "Song of the Year" at the 2009 Texas Music Awards.
And the Creeks Don't Rise - Gospel Jam!	A side project of Sterling and HalleyAnna Finlay, they used to play one Sunday a month at Cheatham St. Sterling and HalleyAnna will be joined by a host of talented musicians for an old-time gospel jam session to kick off Sunday's festivities.
Greezy Wheels	Greezy Wheels is one of the last surviving” Armadillo Rock” bands still playing in 2011. One of the first Austin acts signed to a major label, they continue to release CD’s on their own label, MaHatMa Records. As the unofficial Armadillo World Headquarters House Band in the 70’s, Greezy Wheels played gigs with the Flying Burrito Brothers, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen and, Jerry Lee Lewis. The band recently started touring outside Austin and Texas again after decades away from the road.
Bill Whitbeck	Robert Earl Keen's bass player, and a great songwriter on his own, Bill will be appearing in a song swap, showcasing his solo tunes from his cd, "Radio Caroline", including his crowd pleasing hit "There's only 1 "S" in New Braunfels".
The Wild Flowers	HalleyAnna Finlay, Kathleen O'Keefe, and Ashley Monical...what more do we need to say? Beauty, talent, and the voices of sirens, you will be enchanted. These 3 ladies have enchanted the crowd at Cheatham St and Gruene Hall, wowing Bigfest and Radio Free Texas is next!
Forest Wayne Allen	"Have guitar,will play", could be the motto of Forest Wayne Allen. Since moving to the Texas Hill Country a few years ago from Virginia, he's been playing anywhere and everywhere they will let him, and has made himself a fan favorite for his great live shows, his entertaining songs, and the stories he tells.
Brennen Leigh	In just a few years, Leigh—alongside brother Seth Hulbert—has firmly established herself as one of the Lone Star State's premiere singers and songwriters. With her third full-length effort, “Devil's on My Trail”, Leigh is poised to take her time-honored, country-tinged sound to a whole new level. Leigh's approach is both astoundingly simple and wonderfully complex. Her sound is an intoxicating blend of raw talent, wily wit and bittersweet heartbreak—all touched by an affecting, uncommon grace.
Ronny Corbin	Welcome home, Ronny Corbin! Ronny is a Country Americana singer/songwriter who until recently lived California. For over 10 years, Ronny played the So Cal music scene, performing as a solo artist and as a band leader on stages such as Humphrey's by the Bay, The Dream Catcher Theatre, the Balboa Starlight Bowl, and the San Diego County Fair. BIGFest marks Ronny’s official homecoming to his native Texas. Besides being a fine performing artist, Ronny is also a pilot with a major U.S. airline.
Missoula Slim	John ”Missoula Slim” Gilliam has been writing and performing for 20 years.He writes in a variety of styles, ranging from folk and country to jazz and alternative rock. Many of his songs contain his offbeat wit and wisdom. He is past president of the Austin Songwriters Group, and serves on the Cheatham Street Music Foundation board. Missoula performs every Wednesday at Cheatham Street Warehouse from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Missoula is completing his first CD at Tony Powell's Canyon Lake studio.
Aaron Allan	Aaron Allan’s songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson, Charlie Walker, Claude Gray, and Stoney Edwards among others, and have found their way onto the pop charts in Europe and South Africa. In 2000, Aaron was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He has released two CD’s, “Time Is…” (200) and “ Retropsecs” in 2007. In his 80's, Aaron is still a prolific songwriter and continues to perform at concerts and festivals in the South Texas area.
George Ensle	Veteran Texas singer-songwriter George Ensle, began performing in the late sixties in Houston, appearing with Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Billie Joe Shaver. George has won songwriting awards from The American Song Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Music Umbrella, and the Austin Songwriters Group. In 2008 he was nominated for Singer/Songwriter of the Year by the Texas Music Academy. He has released five albums in America and Europe.
Chris Edwards	Singer/songwriter Chris Edwards, ho lives in Nacogdoches, Texas, has honed his musical vision into one that blends the old-timey folk and string band country music that his grandparents played for him as a child with liberal doses of elements out of the rock 'n' roll textbook. Love, life and loss are touchstone subjects in his lyrics, and coupled with his catchy melodies and ragged-but-right vocals, the songs become characters themselves. He has just released his CD "The Winter Garden”
Tony Wilson	Behind Tony Wilson’s bemused smile lurks a mind capable of producing bizarre and warped musical creations that have brought adults to their knees, clutching their ears and sobbing woefully. The famous Texas blues singer Hog Jowls Goldberg once said he would rather have his lungs pulled out through his left nostril than listen to Wilson performing, a sentiment echoed by all those who have heard this strange person.
Tony Taylor	Tony Taylor is one of the best of the current crop of singer-songwriters performing in the South Central Texas region. Like many of his contemporaries, he learned his craft at he Cheatham Street songwriters night. He worked with Jordan Minor’s Bottom Dollar Band playing guitar and drums and now leads his own band. He recently released his long awaited CD,"It's About Time",which features multi-instrumentalist Allan Goodman, Stephanie Briggs, David Tinsley, Russell Tanner, Big John Mills. and Troy Rios.
Floyd Tolston	Texas singer/songwriter Floyd Tolston puts a new face on country music as he recounts stories, memories and perceptions in a fresh, unpretentious way. They’re stories to which almost anyone can relate to. Floyd has recorded two CD’s - “Something Special” and “Redneck Cheer”. “Floyd is an entertainer and story teller, often times about subjects no one dares approach but we all consider,” says Justin Frazell, KFWR The Ranch Radio 95.9, Fort Worth, Texas.
Mike Ethan Messick	Mike Ethan Messick hasn’t had a music career so much as an ongoing adventure, an up-and-down mix of high times and hard luck to leave him with a lifetime of stories. This well-traveled Texan has made himself at home in the Austin-area Hill Country. His most recent album, “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday, was recorded in Austin’s Cedar Creek Studio, and features The Trishas, Lloyd Maines, Mark Jungers, and members of Reckless Kelly and Hayes Carll’s band. His first album was “Bootlegger’s Turn”.
Victor Holk	Victor Holk is a former winner of the Texas State University singer- songwriter contest, and was featured at the Kerrville Folk Festival as a result. Victor has been performing.He recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in venues throughout the Southwest for the past few years. He is also a sound engineer. He recently released a CD "There's no There".He graduated from Texas with a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy.
AJ Downing	AJ Downing grew up listening Hank Williams, Elvis and Rick Nelson. When he was 13 he bought a junk guitar from his brother for twenty bucks and his musical journey began. He eventually moved on to play in California,in Michigan and in Nashville. From 1994 to 1998, he owned and operated a recording studio, Cottage Productions. He moved to Austin and has released "River of Life" and "The Way Home", both appearing on the Americana Music Charts.
Bill Pekar	Shiner-based singer/songwriter Bill Pekar makes a return appearance this year’s BigFest. He has two CDs to his credit. Pekar’s first CD, “The First Five Years” put 4 singles on the Texas charts.“On a Country Road” features songs penned by Pekar and his long-time friend Skip Brown. The CD features his band The Rainey Brothers.The popularity of Pekar’s music earned him a sponaorship from Shiner Light beer and the chance to share the stage with Asleep at the Wheel and Lyle Lovette at Bockfest.
Zac Barfield	Zac Barfield was ten years old when he played his first gig with his dad Wade Barfield’s band, and he has been hooked ever since. Zac learned to play guitar mostly from an accomplished blues player name Charlie Chivarra. During his high school years, Zac played all over Houston, including gigs at The Firehouse and Blanco's. Now based in San Marcos, Zac is working on a degree in finance, marketing and economics at Texas State University and will be a member of the Class of 2013.
Dewey Wayne	Alternative Country singer/songwriter Dewey Wayne, born in Fyffe, Alabama,is no stranger to hard work. After completing a degree in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University and beginning a career working on NASA’s Space Shuttle, he decided to exchange his calculator for a guitar and a song. His debut album, “Here for the Music”, won “2010 Musician of the Year” at the Texas Music Awards for Big John Mills's guitar performance on the album.
Dennis Jay	Singer/songwriter and guitarist Dennis Jay’s songs are rooted in country, Western, folk, blues, and Mexican ballads. When he is not overseeing his horse ranch in La Vernia, Texas, Dennis plays cowboy music festivals, house concerts, and radio stations throughout the West and Southwest. One critic decribed his songs as “cowboy folk . . . minimalism . . .unlike anything else around.” He has recorded two CD’s “Primicia” and “What You See”. Dennis is a regular at CSW’s Songwriters Circle.
Sterling Finlay	Sterling Finlay has played bass with many bands and artists on live dates and recording sessions over the years, it would be almost as easy to list those who he hasn't played with. A member of one of the most illustrious musical families in the Southwest, Sterling is a gifted bass player, at home in a variety of musical settings. He is also a talented songwriter. Sterling will be playing often this Bigfest, with Foscoe Jones,gospel group And The Creeks Don't Rise, and in song swaps.
Clay McClinton	Texas - born Clay McClinton reflects the country and blues traditions of his native state, weaving a sound of his own. Clay's musical virtuosity shines with the release of his third album, Livin’ Out Loud (2010). He blends Americana and Texas blues with a touch of country to give us a tremendous follow up to his two previous releases—Out of the Blue (2004) and Son of a Gun (2006). In 2007, after three years on the road, Clay moved back to Austin to regroup and begin writing his third album.
Clark Rossi	A solid songwriter currently working on his first CD, Clark Rossi writes old time country music, and tells stories of growing up in a small town. Clark is also the father of upcoming singer-songwriter Pake Rossi, who is also playing at Bigfest.
Matt Amos	Matt Amos grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood in North East, Ohio, with blue-collar parents. He got his first guitar at 18 and began to struggle with the idea of writing songs. After two years of college, studying poetry and American Literature, he decided that he would be better off taking his own road. Matt arrived in Austin a couple of years ago. He is a regular at Cheatham Street’s Songwriters Circle.
OSO Texas	Oso Texas always bring you the very best in country music. With top music from: Pat Green, Toby Keith, George Strait, Kevin Fowler, Dierks Bentley, Randy Rogers Band played by some of Corpus Christi most talented musicians! Original music written by John Eric is a featured part of each Oso Texas performance. The musicians that make up Oso Texas come from a variety of musical backgrounds. Sammy Allred (lead & harmony vocals and Bass guitar), Johns Eric (lead & harmony vocals and acoustic guitar), Mike Hernandez (drums)
James Lann	A fifth generation cowboy, James Lann has traded in a rope and a saddle for a guitar and a song. His first album “F-O-R-D” produced the single, “You’re From The Country Too” which reached number five on the Texas Music Charts. His next single, “Honky Tonk Two Step Queen,” went to number one. In 2010 Lann released two songs, “The Talent Requires”and “Every Kiss Goodnight”, both topping the Texas Charts. “Honky Tonk Kung Fu” his second CD release.
Jamie Richards	When you think of Real Texas Country Music, you think of Jamie Richards. Jamie has been playing the Texas music scene for the last six years after his return from Nashville as a staff writer for Curb Records. Recently, Jamie has topped the charts with his latest single, “Whiskey Nights”. The song made it to #4 on the Texas Music Chart and was the fastest rising single Jamie has had to date. Earlier this year Jamie also had his most played single “Drive.” It remained on the Texas Music Chart at #1 for 4 consecuti
John Evans	John Evans is more than just Horn Rims and Hair. With music born on the bayous of Houston and injected with influences from the Mississippi Delta to Bakersfield, California to the boroughs of New York City, John Evans and his Rockabilly Band have taken over his hometown (and the whole Lone Star State!) by dominating the Houston Press Music Awards over the last decade. John can boast six wins for Best Male Vocalist, four for Best Songwriter and a pair for both Best Roots Rock and Musician of the Year.
Heath Webb	With a Strong infusion of Folk and Country Influences,Heath Webb's Music can be hard to nail down . "I just soaked up a lot stuff growing up, everything i could wrap my ears around from Tom Petty and Jackson Browne to Western Swing to old Townes records. I think you hear a lot of that come across in my stuff.” With a few friends from the Texas circuit and a hand full of demos, Heath went into the studio in the summer of 2008 and the product that emerged was "Before I Break”.
Todd Dorn	Todd Dorn is a singer songwriter based in San Antonio who writes about situations in life that he has experienced. Todd’s life experiences as a performer, restaurant manager, building contractor and recently teacher has resulted in a collection of songs about to be released in a new project.Dorn has been spending the last few months laying tracks for a forthcoming CD at Jerry Clayton’s Radio Dog recording studio in San Antonio.
Josh Dodds	Josh Dodds was born and raised in the small hill country town of Fredericksburg TX. He graduated with a Radio/Television/Film degree from The University of North Texas. Reads C.S. Lewis,loves reading Discover magazine and watching the Discovery channel. He loves going to the river and drinking well made beer. He hates apathy, pop-country,MTV and the New York Yankees. He's a regular at hte Songwriter Circle at Cheatham St, and is working on his first cd, to be released soon.
Smokey Wilson	Smokey Wilson is a singer-songwriter cowboy who lives alone on his 4th generation family ranch outside of Cuero, Texas, one of the starting points of the Chisholm Trail. He spent many years as the animal health inspector for the Texas Animal Health Commission (essentially he was the lone ranger for TAHC) . He has been writing and performing music, including a lot of his original songs, for many years.Smokey blends upbeat Texas music with a bluesy sound
Ben Smith	CMTs Next Superstar contestant, Ben Smith, 29, grew up working on a farm in Gainesville, Texas, and currently resides in Denton, Texas, as an arborist. When he isn't running his tree-trimming business, he sings, writes songs and plays the guitar, harmonica, piano and the ukulele. Ben's musical influences include Credence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Cash and his grandfather.
Cary Windham	Cary Windham has a passion for touching the hearts of his listeners and finding inspiration in everyday life and in every person he meets. Cary connects his lyrics with all of us in his songwriting and music. “Making a connection with people and sharing in their lives for a brief moment, nothing could be better and thanks to my music I am part of that.” Says Cary. His new CD is "The Man in Me".
Big John Mills Acoustic	When Big John puts down his electric guitar and picks up an acoustic instrument, it's going to be as finger pickin' good as ever. His acoustic set gives John a chance to show another side of his guitar playing and to sing some songs he might not do in an electric set. Enjoy the acoustic dimension of one Texas' ace guitarists and this year's TMA Musician of the Year - Big John Mills and his Fantastic Flying Fingers!
Big John Mills - Guitar Wars	Big John will join with Redd Volkaert and an all-star band for what has become a highlight of BIGFest. These two ace guitarists will provide a showcase performance of great virtuosity. And they make it look so easy! A true Fender Bending experience not to be missed.
Scott Smith
David Baxter	David Baxter sings from his heart and hopes in the process to entertain you and maybe touch your heart as well. People relate to both his lyrics and his antics on stage. Sadly enough, David has been approached many times in the past with promises of promtion and record deals. Of course they each came with a price ~ sing their music, their way, to their kind of audiences. That's just not David's style. He writes and sings HIS songs, HIS way and for HIS fans and audiences.