Youthful exuberance and a batch of good songs propelled FM2865 Band to the March 29 finals of the Texas Music Showdown with KHYI 95.3 “The Range” host Brett Dillon at the White Elephant Saloon.
FM2865 squared off against Chris Zalez and came out on top in last night’s semifinals.
Zalez played a set that combined retro rock with shades of Tejano and showed off his ample guitar licks (he’s former guitarist with the Tejas Brothers). But the six members in FM2865 were primed, pumped, and impassioned. They came to win or have a ferocious good time trying.
The band’s contagious fun — combined with solid musicianship, vocals, and songwriting — won over the judges (Dillon, singer-songwriter Steve Helms, and myself).
The winner of next week’s semifinal match will compete against FM2865 for the championship. It’ll be a big one because the winner gets several juicy gigs at high-profile venues and various other goodies in addition to bragging rights.
FM 2865 Band drove all the way from North Zulch (a little of town near College Station) to see how they measured up against big city talent at the legendary White Elephant Saloon.
Four of the six band members are siblings who picked up instruments about 10 years ago and developed their country-rock sound through regular rehearsals. “There wasn’t anything else to do — we live on 200 acres in the middle of nowhere,” said their mother Joyce Samford, who serves as manager, bus driver, and chief applause giver.
They named the band after the farm road that runs by the ranch.
The band is the shit in North Zulch, where half the town’s tiny population turns out to see them play. But straying 150 miles to compete with bigger fish in a bigger pond meant they had to sink or swim on their own.
It didn’t help being squared off against hometown boy Zalez, who knows how to rev up a crowd. But FM2865 went home happy and plans to come back in two weeks for the fight of their lives.
The March 29 finals ought to be a good one. Be there!
The Chris Zalez Band was robbed, he was the better performer. The pictures seem to indicate the judges had too much tequila and beer and couldn’t pick the right winner. Get it right.
Actually, the fm2865 band are finally getting what they deserve and what they have been working towards for the last 10+ years. But i guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.
way to go fm2865, hang in there and don’t let the negativity bring you down. We here at home know you can do it, love y’all!
Well I always knew FM2865 had what it took. You can never underestimate a band like theirs cause they are like family and they play like one. So from the BIG brotha back home I say congrats and I always knew yall could do it I am behind yall 1,000,000%
FM 2865 is one of the greatest bands out there. they have plenty of years of talent and i know because I have known them for 17 years. They are family and desrve what they have been workig toward. Great job guys.
FM2865 is very talented in writing, composing and performing music. They are ALL very good kids and have worked really hard at their music and LOVE what they do. Chris Zales, I’m sorry you didnt make it this time, but, FM2865 has been in your shoes.. All I can tell you is if you love what you do as much as they do then don’t give up! I Love all the kids to death, even though 4 of them are my niece and nephews!!! hehehe
LOVE YOU GUYS AND SOOO PROUD OF YOU!! Keep up the GREAT work!!!
Well you are almost there FM2865 The end is in sight and you can win this just stay the course and kick some butt. Congratulations and hope Tuesday night finds you pickin and a grinnin! You are an awesome band. YOU GOT THIS!!