Concert preview: Somebody’s Darling at the Granada Theater in Dallas (September 12)

by Staff of of The Gobblers Knob

I’ve gone on and on about the quality of performers and the strength of many of the bills that are regularly featured at the Granada Theater in Dallas. Well, I am gonna go on a bit more. This Saturday features a line-up that is rather impressive and even more so when you look at the thread that ties these acts together.

Somebody’s Darling is the winner of the Shiner Rising Star competition from 2008. Their debut record, being released on Shiner Records, is the reason for this grand, North Texas Country get-together. To help celebrate, some other success stories from recent Shiner Rising Star competitions are joining in on Saturday night. John David Kent & the Dumb Angels made it to the finals last year, finishing behind the evening's headliners. These guys were great at an in-store performance earlier this year, so I am excited to see them on a bigger stage for a full set. Perhaps the most intriguing set of the night will come courtesy of one Merrol Ray. Ray was the lead singer for Miles From Nowhere, the 2006 winner of the Shiner Rising Star award. It seems as though things are going all right for Ray after his former band’s break-up, since requests for his single, “Dancin’ Hard,” have been lighting up the phones at KHYI 95.3 for a few weeks now. Judging from that song, it seems as though Ray has kept the chugging, hard charging vibe that made MFN such a great band.

One other thing. This is a real-live CD release party. Once you pay to get in, you will receive a copy of Somebody’s Darling’s brand new disc. These days, bands have 30 “CDrRelease” shows, but will make you pay extra for the new disc. Not much of a party if you ask me. Go to the Granada’s website to take advantage of the low priced tickets.

Somebody’s Darling – “Horses”

Merrol Ray – “Dancin’ Hard”