Blaine's Calendar 28 Website Jeremy Steding In April of 2007 native Texan Steve Stafford (lead guitar) and Born-Again Texan, Jeremy Steding (vocalist, songwriter) Declared Independence from main stream music and dedicated themselves to creating authentic Texas Music. Raw and Real. Stafford and Steding share a common love for Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Shiner Bock Beer and a belief that the band should have the most fun of anyone in the building. Acoustic duo shows began. In December of 2007, Mr. Venanancio Portalatin (German) found his way out west. Portalatin is a driving percussionist with a respect and tastefulness that allows the guitars and vocals to shine, with an attitude that defines the "Outlaw" feel of the band’s country music. The most recent addition to this "Band of Bastards" is the evil low-end bass guitar of Mr. Marc Curry. Curry is a rock and roll professional who will take your money in a poker game and spend it trying to re-claim his soul. Now the four join together, often with guests, creating a show that has the fans returning and spending their hard earned cash on CD’s and Jagermeister. Performing critically acclaimed original songs, with "...the best damn guitar player in Austin", the band is Authentic Texas. 29 Website Rich O'Toole Make no mistake about it, Rich O'Toole is a showman. Even at the mere age of 23, he commands the attention of an audience like that of a seasoned veteran, drawing you in with every guitar lick and making you linger on truity of his words. Rich has been touring relentlessly serving up what can only be described as his own brand of electrifying country rock-n-roll. While attending college at Texas A&M University, Rich turned his attention to his guitar and soon found himself out in front of the crowd again, this time as the front man of his own band. Trading in his baseball glove for a guitar has proved fruitful for the Aggie grad. Last year he teamed up with Grammy nominated producer Mack Damon to record his debut record appropriately titled "Seventeen," Rich's lucky number. The result of his hard work is evidenced in his early success. His debut single "Queen of the Misfits" has already gone top 5 on the Texas Music Chart and the Texas Regional Radio report after having been on the chart a short time. And while all of this might sound impressive, Rich O'Toole is just warming up. Known for his high-octane shows, dedication to his craft, and workaholic mentality, the sky truly is the limit for this rising singer/songwriter. 30 Website Maren Morris At first glance it's easy to dismiss a singer-songwriter who seems to have just appeared on the music scene; especially a female in her teens. In the case of Maren Morris that would be a mistake on several counts. Mention "teen singer" and eyes roll and stereotypes spring to mind, but one phrase sung with this vocalist and all that evaporates. Although having just turned 17, Maren has been performing live for many years and recorded her first CD at age 14. She also writes and performs her own music in her band. Her style transcends Rock, Country, Blues and Pop styles, with soulful vocals that invite yet defy comparison to current and past musical performers. Whatever you call her Maren's innate vocal phrasing, intuitive writing and solid guitar performances stun audiences at live shows and shine through in her recordings. Maren Morris has been paying her dues for years and is finally earning the respect of her peers and others across the music industry. Those who might once have viewed her as a novelty must now reckon with the fact that she has grown in all areas of music. Her writing, vocal ability and guitar playing have all come of age.