2009 West Texas Fair and Rodeo

2009 West Texas Fair and Rodeo

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT at the HEB PAVILION

September 10-19

Friday, September 11, 2009 Mark Powell & Lariat

Times: 7:30-8:30p.m. & 9:00.-10:00p.m

Mark Powell & Lariat is the #1 Ranked Swing Band in the United States, 2008, by the International Dancers Association. Texas Swing is most clearly defined by the music of Mark Powell & Lariat. This is the music that makes Texas dance halls famous, music untamed by modern production - only steel guitars here.

The core of Lariat is a father, Bishop Powell, and two sons, Mark and John. Bishop developed his music foundation as the original keyboardist with "The Cavaliers", a popular 60s rock band. At ages five and three, Mark and John were taught fiddle, guitar, bass, and drums by Bishop. Soon the three began playing at bluegrass festivals, banquets, and many other events. In 1997, the family formed the band "Lariat" and began playing full time together.

Mark began writing country music in 2002 which led to a developmental record deal in 2004 with Universal South in Nashville. Today, Mark Powell & Lariat is considered one of the top true Texas Swing bands in the country and one of the very few releasing new (original) material under the genre of Swing. They still feature the versatility in musicianship they began with at an early age.

Saturday, September 12, 2009 Top

Times: 7:30-8:30p.m.& 9:00-10:00p.m

Top is an absolutely sensational Dallas-based entertainment group comprised of the finest musicians in the industry today. The group is joined together and led by vocalist and Dallas native Topasana Sansom, better known as “Top”, has been entertaining primarily in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex for the past 15 years.

A self taught vocal sensation, Top has developed a sound unlike any other. His range spans well over three octaves. Top first put his mark on the Dallas music scene in 1984 when he became the lead singer for the well known band Dallas Brass & Electric (“DB& E”). After several successful years with them he eventually moved on to front a number of other Dallas cover bands such as The Rhythm In Motion (T.R.I.M.), Groove Posse, and Cuvee. While with Cuvee, Top had numerous appearances on Channel 8’s Good Morning Texas where host Paula McClure consistently featured him as one of Dallas/Fort Worth’s finest musicians.

Top pours himself into every song and becomes an artist with an uncanny ability to manipulate his voice to sound just like them. Some of his specialties are Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Sting, Mick Jagger and Barry White.

Sunday, September 13, 2009 Elida Reyna

Times: 7:30p.m.-8:30p.m.& 9:00p.m.-10:00p.m

Elida Reyna knows that in order to have an enduring career, her musical evolution must never end which is why she is undeniably the leading female force of her generation in the Tex-Mex industry. Possessing an ability to completely captivate audiences with her stage presence, Reyna is an artist fiercely proud of her Mexican-American roots, but also capable of crossing artistic borders by fusing that cultural sound with universal music elements.

Recognized by BMI as an award winning composer, she continues to show that the accolade was no fluke; the second single “Con Solo Mirarte” will join the list of great hit songs she has composed over the years such as “Duele”, “Te Sigo Amando”, and “No Eres Para Mi”. In 2007 she signed to the prestigious label, Freddie Records.

Elida hosted the nationally televised “Pura Vida Awards” where she and the band were nominated by the industry’s top professionals in a record setting five categories. She has been featured in People Magazine, TV Guide, Texas Monthly and Latina Magazine and has appeared on the cover of many of the most widely circulated Latin publications in the world. She recently performed in Washington D.C. for President Barack Obama at the Latino Inaugural Ball.

Monday, September 14, 2009 Karaoke

Times: 7:30p.m.-10:00p.m

Share with the world your known or not yet known talent for singing - Karaoke style!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Karaoke

Times: 7:30p.m. - 10:00p.m

Share with the world your known or not yet known talent for singing - Karaoke style!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Crawfish

Times: 7:30p.m.-8:30p.m.& 9:00p.m.-10:00p.m

Organized over 10 years ago, Crawfish was created from a select group of seasoned studio musicians from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Their act includes family-oriented entertainment and audience participation.

Crawfish has shared stages with an unbelievably long list of stars. While there isn’t room to name them all, notables include: The Temptations, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, The Shirelles, The Supremes, The Coasters, The Drifters, The Foundations, Chuck Berry, Leon Russell, Delbert McClinton, Three Dog Night, The Spinners, and Willie Nelson and Family. They can be heard on film scores and jingles for companies like McDonald’s, Oldsmobile, Isuzu, Mazda and dozens of other radio and television programs. Crawfish has played during two Presidential Inaugurals, as well as national conventions, festivals and concerts, and parties throughout the Metroplex.

Thursday, September 17, 2009 Karaoke

Times: 7:30p.m.-8:30p.m.& 9:00p.m.-10:00p.m.

Share with the world your known or not yet known talent for singing - Karaoke style!

Friday, September 18, 2009 Colgate Country Showdown

Times: 7:30p.m.-8:30p.m.& 9:00p.m.-10:00p.m.

The "Colgate Country Showdown" is America's Largest Country Music Talent Showcase and radio promotion. The program begins at the local level with radio stations around the country. The WTF&R hosts the regional finals.

This year's live band edition will provide an unrivaled setting for the competition, which will spotlight some of the best and brightest talent this area has to offer. Acts will compete for a great slate of prizes including cash. State Winners will advance to the Regional competition in the fall.

Saturday, September 19, 2009 Aaron Watson! Opening Band: Jim Saddler Band

Times: 7:30p.m.-8:30p.m.& 9:00p.m.-10:00p.m

What a treat to hear our own Aaron Watson perform for us at this year's WTF&R! This Abilene-based country artist is an unstoppable force in Texas Music with his sights firmly set on the national stage. Watson travels with a 6-piece, traditional country band, including steel guitar and fiddle. They perform more than 150 shows annually, and have 200,000-plus tickets sold since 2007.

Abilene fans have loved his work, but they aren’t alone. His Abilene roots run deep. As a student at Abilene Christian University, he enrolled in a beginner guitar class. His teacher, Dan Mitchell, would have a major influence on the young singer/songwriter and was the first of many mentors to “appear” in Watson’s life. “I walk into this classroom and it’s just me and this old man,” Watson recalls. “If there ever was a guitar player who could play like Chet Atkins, it’s Dan Mitchell. We just bonded and became good friends. All the students love him at ACU, and I give him a lot of credit.” Among the special guests who have appeared on Watson’s projects are Willie Nelson, Dale Watson, Jack Ingram and Billy Joe Shaver.

How popular is he? Watson’s MySpace page has over 1 million page views from 22,000 “friends,” and his MySpace Music has had more than 2.8 million total plays. Come celebrate with Aaron and enjoy a night with pure country music from Aaron Watson!

Daily Visitor Schedule

Ticket Pricing - All live events are free with purchase of General Admission ticket.

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