Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame 2026 Saturday, May 9 at Love and War in Texas

 DSA Hall of Fame 2026 Nominees:

The Dallas Songwriters Association will induct Pat Boone, Ronnie Dawson, Jeanie C. Riley, RayWiley Hubbard, Liz Rose and Sara Hickman into the Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame on May 8, 2026 at Love and War in Texas. Young singers from the local schools of music  and DSA members will perform with the Rising Star Band directed by Patti Allen Driver. 

I hope you will take a minute to donate to our Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame. Come on out and attend the show. We are not charging a cover but rely on donations to make this program happen. Here is a link to our Square payment platform where you can donate the amount of your choice. https://checkout.square.site/.../3YGHKHKDBMWPSY5GZXH2TFYG. 

Or use this QR code. 

 

 

Here is a look at the inductees and songs scheduled to be performed:

RONNIE DAWSON 

Ronnie Dawson (1939–2003), known as “The Blond Bomber,” was a pioneering rockabilly artist rooted in Dallas, Texas. He got his start performing on Dallas’s Big D Jamboree and recording locally before touring nationally in the late 1950s. Though early hits brought only regional success, Dawson became a key figure in the North Texas music scene, later working as a session musician on hits like “Hey! Baby.”
He is best known for “Rockin’ Bones,” “Action Packed,” and “Monkey Beat,” songs that later fueled a rockabilly revival and gained international attention. In the 1980s and ’90s, Dawson’s career resurged, leading to extensive touring in Europe and a new global fan base.
He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 1998, solidifying his legacy as one of Dallas’s most influential early rock ’n’ roll artists.

     Monkey Beat  - Rio King
    Mack Attack  - Eden Taylor  & Rising Star Band

SARA HICKMAN 

Sara Hickman is a Texas singer-songwriter and visual artist whose career was shaped in North Texas. After growing up in Houston, she earned a degree from the University of North Texas and launched her music career in Dallas, where she built a strong regional following as a recording artist and performer.
Hickman is best known for songs like “I Couldn’t Help Myself,” “All I Have to Say,” and “Two Different Worlds,” which highlight her warm vocals and introspective songwriting style. Her work in North Texas helped establish her as a respected voice in the Texas music scene before she later moved to Central Texas.
She was named Official Texas State Musician in 2010, recognizing her lasting impact on the state’s musical and cultural landscape.
 She has been awarded the Humana "Women Helping Women" award for her generous work with such organizations as Safe Place, Habitat for Humanity, House the Homeless, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Race for the Cure, and many other animal and human rights organizations.[7] She was also made an honorary member of the National Association of Music Therapy because of her work in that area. 

    Each Other’s Angels - Lavada Barnes
    Couldn’t Help Myself - Taylor Alyne

RAY WYLIE HUBBARD 

Ray Wylie Hubbard is a legendary Texas singer-songwriter and a pioneering force in the outlaw country movement. Born in Soper, Oklahoma, he moved to Oak Cliff in Dallas as a child, attended W.H. Adamson High School, and later studied at the University of North Texas in Denton—where his North Texas roots helped shape his gritty, independent songwriting style.
He first gained national attention with “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother,” an outlaw-country anthem made famous by Jerry Jeff Walker. Hubbard is also celebrated for fan favorites “Snake Farm” and “Choctaw Bingo,” songs that showcase his sharp wit and unmistakable Texas storytelling voice.
With a career spanning five decades, Hubbard remains one of North Texas’s most influential musical voices, helping define the rebellious spirit of Texas outlaw country alongside Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
Hubbard received the "Songwriter of the Year" award at the 2018 at the Austin Music Awards

    Three Days Straight  - El Blake
    Redneck Mother -Rising Stars Band - Chuck
    Wild Side of Texas  -Rising Stars Band - Larry

JEANIE C. RILEY 

Jeannie C. Riley (born 1945 in Anson, Texas) is a Texas country and gospel singer who rose to international fame in the late 1960s. She built her early career performing across the Texas circuit, including North Texas and Dallas–Fort Worth venues, before breaking through nationally with her signature hit “Harper Valley P.T.A.”
Released in 1968, the song topped both the Billboard Country and Pop charts, making Riley one of the first female artists to achieve major crossover success. It earned her the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and the Country Music Association Single of the Year, firmly establishing her place in country music history.
Her most popular songs include “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” “The Girl Most Likely,” and “There Never Was a Time,” along with later favorites like “Good Enough to Be Your Wife.” After her early success, Riley shifted toward gospel music following a religious conversion, continuing a long career rooted in the Texas country tradition that shaped her voice and style.

   Harper Valley PTA  - Junia Rodriguez & Rising Star Band               
 The Girl Most Likely  - Lilly Jemison & Rising Star Band

LIZ ROSE

Liz Rose (born 1957) is a Grammy-winning songwriter with deep North Texas roots, born in Dallas and raised in Irving. She began her songwriting career later in life but quickly rose to prominence through her collaborations with Taylor Swift.
Rose co-wrote some of Swift’s biggest hits, including “You Belong with Me,” “Teardrops on My Guitar,” and “All Too Well,” helping define modern country-pop. She won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song for “White Horse” and earned multiple Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year.
Also a member of the acclaimed songwriting trio The Love Junkies, Rose won CMA Song of the Year for “Girl Crush.” Her North Texas upbringing remains a key part of her musical foundation and storytelling voice.

    Fearless - Clair Causey & Rising Star Band
    White Horse - Josey Haynes & Rising Star Band
    You Belong With Me - Chloe Rae & Rising Star Band

PAT BOONE - 

Pat Boone is an American pop and gospel singer whose primary North Texas connection is through Denton, where he studied and began his early career in the mid-1950s at what was then North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas).
While attending UNT from 1954–1955, Boone performed as a featured soloist with Floyd Graham’s Aces of Collegeland and began his broadcasting career hosting local WBAP-Channel 5 programs in Fort Worth, including Barn Dance and Teen Times. He also lived in Denton with his wife Shirley, where they started their family. This North Texas period served as the launchpad for his national breakout before he moved to New York in 1955.
Boone later became one of the top recording artists of the 1950s with hits such as “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Love Letters in the Sand,” and “April Love.” He also expanded into film and television, becoming a major crossover entertainment figure.
His ties to North Texas remain significant: he opened the Pat Boone Country Inn in Denton (1958–1961), was inducted into the Denton Arts Walk of Fame, and received the UNT Presidential Medal of Honor in 2022. His 1962 film State Fair was also filmed at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, further linking his career to the region.

Love Letters In The Sand - Michael Brandenberger & Rising Star Band
Ain’t That A Shame - Patty & Rising Star Band 

 CLINT BIRDWELL

Clint Birdwell (1952–2024) was a Texas educator and influential behind-the-scenes figure in the regional music industry. Born in Waxahachie and based later in the Dallas area, he studied at North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) before beginning a career that bridged education, performance culture, and music production.
His music career took flight during a summer with Lone Wolf Productions, where he worked with the road manager and Bill Ham for ZZ Top and various other performers. This job changed the course of his life. Clint later became a key figure in the Dallas music scene partnering with Danny Eaton and Mark Lee, they started 462 Productions in Dallas, expanding his role in Texas live music and production work.
He also co-founded Bird Records Texas, alongside the legendary Charley Wirz, a blues and roots label that helped document and release work by key Texas artists such as Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Doyle Bramhall Sr., Keith Ferguson, and Al “TNT” Braggs, along with other important figures in the Dallas blues scene. Through this work, Birdwell contributed to preserving and promoting Texas blues and roots music.
His career reflected a lifelong connection between Texas education, live music production, and the preservation of regional blues heritage.

DSA PERFORMERS BIOS
Rio King
Born in Wichita Falls and spending his teen years in Dallas, Rio went to Lubbock’s Texas Tech to go to college, raise a family and, as it turned out, start a band, “The Techniques”, Playing rock and roll throughout West Texas and New Mexico, they scored a regional hit single, “Dream Theme”, recorded by the famous Norman Petty at his Clovis, NM studio. Switching to Texas music, Rio later became a Songwriter Finalist for two years at Rod Kennedy’s Kerrville Folk Festival. The past several years he’s continued his songwriting, garnering awards from DSA, including Songwriter of the Year in 2015 and enjoyed performing solo and sitting in with local bands in the Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin areas.  https://www.facebook.com/riokingtexas. https://www.rioking.com/

Michael Brandenberger - Michael Brandenberger has been involved in music for over 40 years playing blues and jazz guitar since his high school days in San Antonio and has been active in the blues circuit in Dallas through the years. He joined DSA in 2009. In 2018 he won the DSA Songbird Song Of The Year Award for his song, “A Time For Love” and again in 2021 for “You’re The Best.” He’s been DSA President since 2014 and was recently re-elected for another year.

Rising Stars Band Bio 2026
    1.    Patty Driver (Band Director & Vocalist) Patty is a multi-Award winning founder and President of Kids Who Rock, Corp. She has been A Realtor by day and rocker by night for 23 years, 18 of them with RE/MAX. Patty leads and organizes our summer camp program, Theater club & extracurricular activities for the 11th year for KWR which became an official 501(c)(3) non-proift three years ago with amazing board of directors. Patty and her husband, Thomas Driver, have played in bands together since 2009. First band was a Joan Jett tribute band called “Bad Reputation” and then a band called MADWAK writing and recording original music. Patty attended K.D. Studio for Acting and was an actress for 10 years playing in movies and commercials but her true love has always been music. After growing up in church singing with her brother, grandmother playing piano & preachman playing guitar, Patty doesn’t remember a day when she wasn’t on stage singing in front of people. Her passion is Music, Kids Who Rock and real estate.

    2.    John Clark (Lead Guitar) Originally from Tucson Arizona, he is a graduate of the University of Utah music program with a double major in composition and jazz performance. John received the President’s Award and was placed on the Dean’s list for the music department and was a member of the University Jazz Guitar Ensemble. John is an application engineer Harman International (currently the largest audio company in the world) and is involved daily with audio system design and integration and support for BSS Audio and IDX systems. At Harman, John is involved in audio design and works on many high-profile audio systems including NFL arenas, Las Vegas casinos, international airports and large theme parks. In his spare time, he composes music in his home studio, works on computers, and of course plays guitar.

 

   3.    Thomas Gillis Jr (Drummer) Tom is a Grammy Award–winning audio engineer specializing in both live sound and studio production, as well as a skilled guitar tech, luthier, musician, and audio repair specialist. Since joining Kids Who Rock in 2020, he has played a key role in teaching various instruments, maintaining and repairing equipment, managing audio production and is a KWR Board Member. After getting started learning drums and guitar in high school, he expanded his musicianship by studying piano, deepening his understanding of guitar and music theory, and developing his expertise in audio engineering while attending Loyola University New Orleans. Over the years, Tom has honed his craft by helping songwriters and artists bring their visions to life—recording, enhancing, and performing music with precision and creativity. He is especially passionate about collaboration and elevating the artistic process. He believes that “Songwriting and Production are the last bastions of magic in this world”. Each year, Tom dedicates two weeks to recording live performances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, contributing to the preservation and promotion of its vibrant musical culture.

 

   4.    Thomas Driver (Bass guitar)   Thomas has been the bassist for original music in local bands for many years starting out in East Texas. His band include, but not limited to A Jury of Robots, Nine Tomorrows  and the band MADWAK who he shares songwriting with his wife, Patty Wak. Thomas is the Vice President, board member, of Kids Who Rock, Corp. and is a strong supporter since the beginning . He raised 3 daughters and has a grand baby girl he enjoys spending time with. Thomas is dedicated to his family, his music and his trade in construction where he is a general contractor.  

    5.    Larry Freeman (Bass guitar)  Larry has been a Kids Who Rock volunteer since 2019 and  Assistant for the KWR Theater Club. Larry’s daughter, Donna, was a KWR student, is a current volunteer and was the first recipient of the annual Kids Who Rock graduate scholarship! Larry is a bass player, guitar player and vocalist in local bands since the 1980s, and his solo project is called the Freeman Band.  Larry currently playing in the Bridgepoint Church Praise Band in Lavon Texas and he loves helping out with the Kids Who Rock organization any chance he get! Because KIDS ROCK!

    6.    Chuck Sturgeon (Electric/Acoustic Rhythm Guitar)  Chuck joined Kids Who Rock as a bass instructor and Camp Leader in 2024. Chuck graduated with a BS in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and worked in the Telecommunications industry until his retirement December 2023.  Music has always been a big part of Chuck’s life. He got his first guitar and lesson at the age of 12. Chuck has played in many bands over the years, Second Chance, Retroplex and Rockenstein to name a few.  In 2002-2004, Chuck owned and operated the rehearsal and recording studio business NextJam, renting practice rooms to bands and recording many Dallas area musicians.  Chuck has a home recording studio where he records and releases his own rock music.  Additionally, he writes country songs and releases those under the virtual band Sturgeon Country.  Chuck is a member of BMI, the Dallas Songwriters Association and is a Kids Who Rock Board Member. 


    7.    Sara Pray (Rhythm Acoustic Guitar & Backup vocals) Sara grew up loving music, but it was  a tongue cancer diagnosis and recovery in 2010 that was the catalyst for Sara to make a change and start a band like she'd always dreamed.     She formed the classic rock band  Good Therapy in 2015 and the band   performed in the DFW area until they disbanded in 2021.  These days Sara stays busy producing and hosting local open mics and comedy shows in the Lewisville/flower Mound area. Sara teaches Guitar class and songwriting with Chicks Who Rock summer camp and is a KWR Round Table Leader.

    8.    Regan Rodriguez (Piano/Keyboard)   - is a mom and music mentor to four kids, a musician, teacher, photographer, and a strong survivor of many challenges.  Her grandmother was the reason she wanted to learn piano and was classically trained through private lesson for 8 yeas by Margarette Lovell. She then learned to read lead sheets and charts with Rachel Mancill and Pat Hunt. Regan works as the Director of Music at the Montessori Episcapal School in Lewisville TX,  also a church pianist, and an incredible photographer. She has worked with the Kids Who Rock since 2019 as the piano instructor and band manager. In her spare time she loves to sew, draw, go outside, and spend time with her children. Regan is an all around amazing person and her perseverance is beyond admirable.
 
    9.    Zoey Frasier (Violinist)  is a 13-year-old honors student and accomplished young musician. A member of the National Junior Honor Society, she combines academic excellence with a passion for performance. Zoey won the 2026 DMTA piano Jazz/Pop Contest and plays violin in both her school’s advanced orchestra—where she has performed at state meetings in San Antonio—and the Rising Stars Band. In addition to her musical achievements, she volunteered at the Chicks Who Rock camp in 2023. Zoey will attend Ursuline Academy this fall, where she looks forward to continuing her academic and musical journey.

    10.    Gedeon Bring -(Drummer) - I started playing drums when I was 12 years old, so I have played for 8 years. Aside from playing drums to my favorite songs, I took lessons from the School of Rock for a few months. In 2019, just a few months into my drumming tenure, I attended my first Kids Who Rock camp, where I received my first experience with a band. During the pandemic, my dad, a former professional musician, and I started playing a few songs with each other. From there, he and I met Colton Hamilton and have traveled Texas playing as a trio for 5+ years. I have met numerous wonderful musicians at Kids Who Rock that I have later played shows with including Izaiah Forman, Chloee Rae, and Taylor Alyne. In 2024, I was awarded a Kids Who Rock Scholarship from the Lonnie Givens fund. Aside from music, I study political science and history student at Baylor University, with an expected graduation date of Fall 2026. I work at the Coppell Historical Museum as a curator and event coordinator, as well as advocate for museum education. In 2025, I published The Museums of Dallas-Fort Worth, a guide to 150+ museums in the greater D/FW area. I am working on a young sport readers' novel called Maxwell's Trouble On the Mound, expected to be released in June of 2026. Kids Who Rock is a wonderful way to promote the power of music!
 

11. Andrew Penland (Bassist) Andrew is a Dallas, TX based bassist that got his start in the Deep Ellum music scene with multiple bands since the mid 2000’s. He is the bassist for national touring metalcore band Light the Fire since 2010. With Light the Fire, he has been a signed recording artist that has toured the United States 13 times, written and recorded on multiple albums that charted on the Billboard Music Top 200, and has amassed over 5 million streams on Spotify alone. Andrew loves what “Kids Who Rock” is about and is honored to be involved because of Eden Taylor. Performed/Recorded with: Light the Fire, System Overload, Black Tie Vendetta, Poor Bastards, Jonathan Jeter & The Revelators.  Andrew has a new Light the Fire album set to be released out May 29, 2026

    12.    Patrick Penland (Drums for Eden Taylor) Pat is a retired defense contractor who has been singing and playing drums and percussion since age 8. He grew up in Fort Worth playing in rock bands with his brother and his best friend. He also played congas and percussion in a disco band in college in the 1970s, and has played and sung in numerous classic rock and cover bands over the past 25 years. Aside from music, Pat spends time building wheelchair ramps, delivering Meals on Wheels, and figuring taxes under the AARP Tax Aide volunteer program. Pat is married to his college sweetheart Marcie and is the father of Kids Who Rock bass player Andrew. He is here supporting Eden Taylor. 

Rising Stars in order of appearance
 

1. Eden Taylor 12 years old - has been a part of KWR for almost 3 years. She has played drums and sang in her band and helped write a song together in just 5 days at KWR camp. Eden has also performed in seasonal performances and Theater Club programs produced by Kids Who Rock. Eden Said, “I want to be a singer in a band one day. I also enjoy playing guitar, piano, and drums. I guess you could call me a one-man band.”

 

2. Lavada Barnes is 18 years old and a senior at Flower Mound High School. Shared with her love of music, Vada is a 4th year varsity member of the Flower Mound Speech and Debate team, and enjoys serving her community. Regardless of it being a stage, a classroom, or just a group people willing to listen, she is grateful for the multitude of opportunities she has to use her voice. Lavada has cherished the past four years of being a Rising Star for the DSA and is excited to confront new challenges and
chapters.

 

3. Zoey Frasier - see bio on Rising Star Band bios page
 

4. Taylor Alyne is a 18-year-old singer, songwriter, performer, and musician. She currently attends Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. With a voice that belies her age, this young artist has been performing continually for 5+ years,entertaining families for as much as 120 hours a month!  With a passion for sultry soul, country, pop, Taylor Alyne brings her  A-game with remixes of popular covers as well as sprinkling in her brand of songwriting and originals.
Taylor has earned over 100 appearances for the national anthem, Enchant, KidZania, Crayola Experience, Pro Sporting Events, Cartoon Network, political rallies, charity events and festivals, veteran events, private young teen parties, opening for the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks. She has done volunteer performances with national and local organizations such as Big Brother Big Sister, Dallas Fashion Stars for a Cause (suicide prevention), CASA, Kids who Rock, Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Music Meets Medicine.
 

5. Ellah Blake, 15, recently completed her freshman year of high school and is excited for a summer filled with music and fun. A singer at heart, she can be found performing at Kids Who Rock events, serving on her church’s worship team, or belting out her favorite songs at home. Her passion for performing and songwriting was first sparked in elementary school at Chicks Who Rock camp, an experience she still credits for igniting her love of music. Through Kids Who Rock, Ellah has built lasting friendships and continues to cheer on her fellow young musicians as they grow in their own artistic journeys. With her first year of high school behind her, she looks forward to new audition and performance opportunities and to deepening her musical experience in the year ahead. Recently, she has especially enjoyed exploring Ray Wylie Hubbard’s outlaw‑country catalog and hopes to make him proud at the Rising Stars event.
 

6. Junia Rodriguez - Junia Rodriguez is a 6th grader at Forestwood Middle School. She recently got accepted into the varsity choir, and has sung in the Youth Choir at her church since the 4th grade. Her debut performance was at 2 years old backed by mannequins in Target, jamming to Let it Go. She has been an official Chick Who Rock since 2019 and her band Mighty Tiger wrote a song, “Girl Power” that was recorded and a video was made featuring the band members.  This will be Junia’s 4th performance
for the DallasSongwriters Association Hall of Fame showcase.

 

7. Lily Jemison - Lillian is a 16-year-old sophomore at Sachse High School and an active member of the school’s a cappella choir, including its competitive pop a cappella treble group, Spur of the Moment. In 2026, she was selected to the TMEA All-State Choir as a  Soprano 2, recognizing her vocal excellence at the state level. She has perfect pitch and recently served as the pitch pipe for the National A Cappella Convention in Orlando.
Outside of school, Lillian is actively involved with Kids Who Rock, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young musicians and giving back to the community through performance. Through this organization, she has been a featured performer at the Garland Labor Day Parade, performed “America the Beautiful” for the Rowlett 4th of July 5K Run, and participated in numerous other community events.
Beyond performing, Lillian is a passionate and versatile musician who writes her own original songs and has recently begun arranging her own work. She plays guitar, bass, and piano, bringing both creativity and depth to her artistry. This marks her second year performing at the Dallas Songwriters Association Hall of Fame Ceremony.
 

8. Claire Causey is 14 years old and in 8th grade at Community Trails Middle School in Lavon, TX. CLaire lives to sing and has been involved with Kids Who Rock since 2021 where she has been in 4 different bands and helped write 4 original songs. The Mighty Tiger band wrote a song called “Girl Power” and it was recorded and a video was made featuring the band members. Claire has been a Rising Star since 2022.
 

9. Becca Hayes - Becca is a teen singer-songwriter from Dallas, TX. She began studying piano eleven years ago and layered on vocals and guitar. Becca covers a variety of music genres, including pop, folk, and country. Her influences include Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter. Becca has begun writing and recording her own songs, and she hopes to release original music soon.
 

10. Chloee Rae - Chloee Rae is a 18-year-old country-pop artist from North Texas whose powerful vocals and authentic storytelling are quickly gaining attention.
A  talented multi-instrumentalist Chloee plays piano, guitar, ukulele, cajón, bass and banjo, bringing depth and versatility to her performances. Her original music has received radio play across Texas and has been on all 4 Texas Country Charts this past year. She is a two time Josie Music Award winner, DFW Music Choice Award winner, winner of multiple talent/vocal competitions and a 3 time Beta Nationals Qualifying Vocalist/Premier Performer
Chloee is an ambassador for the Texas Music Project and is passionate about using music as a tool for healing and connection, especially for young patients and underserved communities. She has been a mentor for the Kids Who Rock Camp for 7 years.
She has been accepted into the prestigious songwriting program at Belmont University in Nashville, where she plans to continue developing her craft while pursuing a career in country music.
With a growing fanbase and a passion for songwriting, Chloee Rae is an emerging artist to watch.





 

Dallas Songwriters Announces It's 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

 

DSA Hall of Fame 2026 Nominees:

The Dallas Songwriters Association will induct Pat Boone, Ronnie Dawson, Jeanie C. Riley, RayWiley Hubbard, Liz Rose and Sara Hickman into the Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame on May 8, 2026 at Love and War in Tezas. Young singers from the local schools of music will perform the songs from the following list.


Song choices:

PAT BOONE
Love Letters In the Sand
This Land Is Mine
Speedy Gonzales
Ain’t That a Shame
Until You Tell Me So

RONNIE DAWSON
Action Packed
Rockin’ Bones
Monkey Beat
Summers Comin’
Mac Attack

RAY WYLIE HUBBARD
Red Neck Mother
Stone Blind Horses
You Wanna Rock and Roll
The Messenger
Fancy Boys

JEANIE C.RILEY
Harper Valley PTA
Back Side of Dallas
There Never Was a Time
Here’s To the Cowboys
The Girl Most Likely

LIZ ROSE
You Belong With Me
White Horse
Teardrops On My Guitar
Tim McGraw
Fearless

SARA HICKMAN
I Couldn’t Help Myself
Standing Ground
We Are Each Other’s Angels
Trouble With Boxes
The Train Song (500X)

DALLAS SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2025 AT LOVE AND WAR ON APRIL 12.

 Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025 will feature young Rising Stars, DSA members and the DSA HOF Rising Star Band performing songs by our 2025 inductees at Love and War in Texas on Saturday, April 12. Doors open at 6pm, show begins at 7pm,

6:00 Networking PROGRAM 7:00 PM Welcome

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Featuring The Rising Star Band
Special guests DSA Members and Rising Star Students
 

Welcome - Barbe McMillen, MC

Ernest Tubb - Barbe McMillen, MC
Walking The Floor Over You. - Rio King
Tomorrow Never Comes - Rio King
Ernest Tubb Induction

Michael Nesmith - Barbe McMillen, MC
Joanna - Wayne Willingham
Michael Nesmith Induction

 
Michael Martin Murphey - Barbe McMillen, MC
Wildfire -Wayne Willingham
Michael Martin Murphey Induction

Danny Eaton Induction - Barbe McMillen, MC
Remarks by Bobby Montgomery, VP of Programs

Edie Brickell - Patty Allen Driver, MC
Tomorrow Comes - Lily Jemison & Rising Star Band
Love Like We Do - Eden Taylor & Rising Star Band
Edie Brickell Induction

 
Demi Lovato - Alexis Tapp, MC
Stone Cold - Kenzie Hutcheson & Rising Star Band
You Don’t Do It For Me Anymore - Bella Raper & Emmeline Miles
Confident - Ellah Blake & Rising Star Band
Demi Lovato Induction

 
Kacey Musgraves - Alexis Tapp, MC
High Horse - Becca Hayes & Emmeline Miles
Silver Lining - Adyson Hutcheson & Rising Star Band
Space Cowboy - Tayah Bell & Rising Star Band
Butterflies - Taylor Alyne & Rising Star Band
Kacey Musgraves Induction -
Closing Remarks-
My House - Lavada Barnes & Rising Star Band 

DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM BY SCANNING THIS QR code

 

Each year Dallas Songwriters Assoc. holds our annual "Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame" in which we recognize, honor and induct those iconic singer, songwriters, musicians and industry persons who have roots in North Texas.

As part of our Rising Star Youth Program, we invite young "Rising Stars from local schools of music to join our DSA members backed up by the RISING STAR BAND on the big stage to perform one of our inductees songs (as listed below). The event will be held Saturday April 12, 2025 at LOVE & WAR PLANO, TEXAS.

The call went out to local schools of music last fall for young performers 18 years of age or under with talent and stage presence.

Hopefuls submitted a link with recent MP4 to HOF program director BobbyMontgomery. They also submitted the song that they wanted to perform from the list below. Performers were determined by the end of January 2025.

What a great opportunity to see a showcase of the young talent we have in North Texas! Also, DSA members will perform and present the performers. 

 

We are so lucky to have the very talented Patty Allen Driver from the Kids Who Rock as our Music Director this year.  The Rising Stars are working with her to prepare to perform with the band.

 

Again this year, Barbara McMillen will MC the program with help from presenter Alexis Tapp, Bobby Montgomery and Patty Allen Driver. 

 

Inductees for 2025 are:

 

  Earnest Tubb:  Walkin’ the Floor Over You; I Got Texas In My Soul; There’s a Little Bit of Everything In Texas; Tomorrow Nevers Comes; You Nearly Lose Your Mind, Waltz Across Texas

Ernest Tubb, nicknamed "The Texas Troubadour," was a pioneering American country music singer and songwriter, best known for his hit "Walking the Floor Over You" and his role in shaping the honky-tonk sound. Another well-known Tubb hit was "Waltz Across Texas" (1965) (written by his nephew Quanah Talmadge Tubb, known professionally as Billy Talmadge), which became one of his most requested songs and is often used in dance halls throughout Texas during waltz lessons. 
   Born in Crisp, Texas, in 1914, Tubb's early life was spent on farms and he was inspired by Jimmie Rodgers, learning to sing, yodel, and play guitar. 
He began his career in the 1930s, working on radio stations and in nightclubs, eventually landing a recording contract with RCA Victor in 1936 after being befriended by Rodgers' widow, Carrie.
      Tubb signed with Decca Records in 1940 and gained recognition for his honky-tonk style and hits like "Walking the Floor Over You" and "Soldier's Last Letter". 
    He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1943 and became a prominent figure in the country music scene, hosting the Midnight Jamboree radio and stage show and opening the Ernest Tubb Record Store in Nashville in 1947 which recently closed in May of 2022 after 75 years.
   Tubb was known for his duets, recording with acts like the Andrews Sisters, Red Foley, and Loretta Lynn.
     Beginning in the fall of 1965, he hosted a half-hour TV program, The Ernest Tubb Show, which aired in first-run syndication for three years.[15] That same year, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 1970, Tubb was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was known as having one of the best bands in country music history. He continued touring and recording until his death in 1984 at the age of 70.
     Tubb's contributions to country music are significant, and his legacy continues to be celebrated through his music and his influence on the genre.

Michael Nesmith:  Mary Mary; Different Drum; Silver Moon; Tapioca Tundra; Some of Shelly’s Blues

Michael Nesmith, was an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, and author, best known as a member of the Monkees, but also for his solo work and as a pioneer in music videos and film production.
    Born Robert Michael Nesmith in Houston, Texas, in 1942, he later moved to Dallas with his mother. Nesmith attended Thomas Jefferson High School  in Dallas, where he participated in choral and drama activities, but before graduating he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1960 where he served 2 years.
     His mother, Bette, invented Liquid Paper, the correction fluid which was sold in 1979 for 47.5 million.
     He pursued a career in music, initially under the name "Michael Blessing".
In 1966, he became a member of the Monkees and co-starred in their TV series through 1968.
     He wrote songs for the Monkees, including "Mary, Mary", "The Girl I Knew Somewhere", "Tapioca Tundra", "Circle Sky", and "Listen to the Band".  Also his song "Different Drum" became a hit for the Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt.
      After leaving the Monkees, he formed The First National Band, which would begin his successful solo career as the "Father of Country-Rock". 
      He released several albums, including "The Wichita Train Whistle Sings" (1968), "Magnetic South" (1970), and "Loose Salute" (1970).
      In 1974, he founded the multimedia company Pacific Arts, expanding from music to video and then film. He produced the cult films "Repo Man" in 1984 and "Tapeheads"  in 1988. Nesmith won a Grammy Award for Elephant Parts, a music video he created, in 1981, which was the first Grammy Award for a music video. He also created the TV show PopClips, a forerunner of what would become MTV.
    In 2017, Nesmith published a memoir, "Infinite Tuesday: An Autobiographical Riff".  We lost him to heart failure on December 10, 2021, at the age of 78.
 

Michael Martin Murphy:  Wildfire; What’s Forever For; A Long Line of Love; A Face In the Crowd; From the Word Go

Michael Martin Murphey is an American singer-songwriter best known for his Western music, country, and pop, and for his role as a prominent musical voice for the Western horseman, rancher, and cowboy. 
    Murphey was born in 1945 in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas where he grew up. He developed a love for cowboy songs and stories from a young age, influenced by his family's ranching background and his uncle's old 78 rpm records. 
    He began performing as an amateur and later as a camp counselor, eventually taking his first "professional" music job at a Texas ranch.
  After graduating from Adamson High School, Murphey studied Greek at the University of North Texas.  As a member of the Folk Music Club, he befriended Steve Fromholtz, Ray Willie Hubbard, Shiva’s Headband fiddler Spenser Pershin and Armadillo World Headquarters co-founder Eddie Wilson. Murphey then moved to California, where he studied creative writing and literature at UCLA.  He signed a publishing contract with the Sparrow Music company, and soon he made a name for himself in the LA folk music scene. By 1964, he formed a musical group with an old Texas friend, Michael Nesmith, John London, and John Raines, under the name the Trinity River Boys.
    Murphey's first big break came through his friend Nesmith, when Nesmith asked Murphey to write them a song for the next Monkees album, and with Owen Castleman, Murphey composed "What Am I Doing Hangin' Round" (under the pseudonyms Travis Lewis and Boomer Clarke). The album sold over five million copies.
     In 1975, Murphey released his seminal album, Blue Sky-Night Thunder,    generated two hit singles:  Carolina in the Pines” and his Platinum signature song, Wildfire”, a sentimental song about the ghosts of a woman and her horse.  As a boy, he first heard from his grandfather the story of a ghost horse rescuing people in the desert. Years later, Murphey had a dream about this ghost horse and wrote the words and music the same day with songwriter Larry Cansler. The song reached No. 2 in Cash Box and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, giving Murphey a new level of commercial success and exposure. The song eventually surpassed two million in US sales and was awarded platinum by theRIAA 2001. The song's harmonies were supplied by Jeff Hanna and Jimmy Ibbotson from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the piano introduction and ending coda played by jazz pianist Jac Murphy. The introduction is based on a piece by the Russian classical composer Alexander Scriabin.
      Murphey shifted his focus to country music in the 1980s, achieving success with his 1982 number one country hit, What’s Forever For, which was rocorded by DSA HOF inductees England Dan and John Ford Coley three years earlier.
      He later became a key figure in the Western music revival, releasing albums like Cowboy Songs and Cowboy Christmas.  Murphey founded WestFest, a yearly cultural festival, as a way to preserve memories and images of the Old West.
     His accolades include the Charlie Russell Award for Western Heritage, multiple Wrangler awards, induction into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 59th Annual Western Heritage Awards.  Today, Murphey is recognized as a prominent musical voice for the Western horseman, rancher, and cowboy, and is a passionate advocate for the American West.

Edie Brickell:  Love Like We Do; Good Times; Mama Help Me; A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall; Tomorrow Comes 

Edie Brickell was born in the area of Dallas called Oak Cliff in 1966. She was raised by her older sister, and attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, She also studied at Southern Methodist University until she joined a band and decided to focus on songwriting.
       In 1985, Brickell was invited to sing one night with friends from her high school in a local folk rock group, New Bohemians, and she then joined the band as lead singer. After the band was signed to a recording contract, the label changed the group’s name to Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Their 1988 debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, became a critical and commercial success, including the Top Ten single “What I Am”. With two albums and those tours under their belt, Brickell became known as a singer who could create lyrics on the spot. Of this talent she said, “It’s nothing special...strange thoughts are always running through my head.”. Of her solo career, Brickell had a role as a folk singer in the ‘89 film Born on the Fourth of July, and her version of Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” is featured on the film’s soundtrack.. She also sang a cover version of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” in the 1990 film Flashback. I admire that Edie is still working in music, forming a new band in 2023. As many know, Edie Brickell married much older man, the singer-songwriter Paul Simon in ‘92. She tells the story that she was performing “What I Am” on Saturday Night Live on November 5, 1988, when she noticed Paul Simon standing in front of the cameraman. “Even though I’d performed the song hundreds of times in clubs, he made me forget how the song went when I looked at him. We can show our
three kids the tape now and say, “Look, that’s when we first laid eyes on each other”.

Demi Lovato:  Confident; Really Don’t Care; Stone Cold; Give Your Heart a Break; Skyscraper

Demi Lovato was born in ’92 in New Mexico to musician Patrick Martin Lovato and
former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Dianna Lee Hart. Lovato began playing piano at seven and guitar at 10, was brought up in Dallas where she took her first acting classes, was home schooled when not attending Grapevine High School, and scored her first acting role on Barney & Friends which was shot in Dallas . She continued in acting, having parts on two different Disney shows and then landing starring roles in the movies Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2, and while filming Camp Rock, Lovato recorded songs for the film’s soundtrack. As she grew into adulthood, she was cast in the groundbreaking series Glee, Will and Grace, X Factor, and Child Star (which she co- directed). Even though her early focus was acting, Lovato has sold over 24 million records in the United States and has also received numerous accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, fourteen Teen Choice Awards, five People’s Choice Awards, two Latin American Music Awards, and a Guinness World Record; she was also included on the Time Magazine 100 Sexiest Women Annual List in 2017. She co- founded a record label, Safehouse Records, with singer Nick Jonas in 2015. As for her personal life, she is an activist for various social causes, has been open about her various emotional struggles, wrote the self-help memoir Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year and released the documentaries, and Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil. 

 

Kacey Musgraves:  High Horse; Merry Go ‘Round; My House; Space Cowboy; Butterflies

Kacey Musgraves (born 6 weeks pre-mature in 1988 in Golden, Texas) is an American singer, songwriter who started writing at age 8, plays mandolin, guitar, and harmonica, and toured Texas as a duo called Two Bits before being invited to perform at President George W. Bush’s “Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball”. She appeared on the fifth season of Nashville Star, where she may have only finished seventh but afterward signed a deal with Mercury Nashville and released her first hit single “Merry Go Round”, leading to her winning her first Grammy for Best Country Album 2013. She’s continued her success with follow up albums, and her fourth one, “Cowgirl”, won all four of its nominated Grammy categories, including Album of the Year and Best Country Album.
Kacey did the work to get where she is. She’s won multiple national yodeling contests and sang the National Anthem at the Winter Olympics, won Eight Grammys, seven Country Music Assoc Awards, and four Academy of Country Music Awards. Kacey is an amazing songwriter who writes about the world she sees and how she sees it, even if it’s sometimes considered a bit controversial. She’s been on just about every TV talk show there is and has toured with Katy Perry, Willie Nelson, Allison Krause, and has recorded duets with many well-known artists, some of those songs receiving their own Grammys.

 

Danny Eaton: Legendary Concert Promoter

Veteran concert promoter Danny Eaton started his career producing concerts in Dallas and Austin, Texas, going back to the 1970s for artists including ZZ Top (which he also managed for eight years), Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, ELO, Black Sabbath and more.
   After his foray into management with ZZ Top, Eaton started his own production company, Eaton Page Productions, where he promoted shows with Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, The Kings and more. In the 1980s, he found 462 Productions in Dallas.
     In 1995, Eaton was named Pollstar’s Independent Promoter of the Year with 462 Concerts, Eaton later produced concerts with Eagles, Paul McCartney, The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, and more. Eaton joined AEG Live in 2004, where he was primarily responsible for rebuilding the once bankrupt Nokia Live Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas. Eaton joined Live Nation in 2010, becoming the company’s SVP in Dallas.
   Most recently,  Eaton has joined Outback Presents as Senior Vice President with plans to help the company grow its already prolific business and help expand the Outback brand. 

 

Rising Stars Band
1.      Patty Driver (Band Director) and President of Kids Who Rock, Corp. has been A Realtor by day and rocker by night for over 20 years. Patty leads and organizes our summer camp program, Theater club & extracurricular activities for the 10th year for KWR. Patty and her husband, Thomas Driver, have played in a band together since 2009 First in a Joan Jett tribute and then original music with their band MADWAK. After growing up in church singing with her brother and grandmother playing piano Patty doesn’t remember a day when she wasn’t on stage in front of people. Her passion is Music, Kids Who Rock and real estate.
2.      John Clark (Lead Guitar) Originally from Tucson Arizona, he is a graduate of the University of Utah music program with a double major in composition and jazz performance. John received the President’s Award and was placed on the Dean’s list for the music department and was a member of the University Jazz Guitar Ensemble. John is an application engineer Harman International (currently the largest audio company in the world) and is involved daily with audio system design and integration and support for BSS Audio and IDX systems. At Harman, John is involved in audio design and works on many high-profile audio systems including NFL arenas, Las Vegas casinos, international airports and large theme parks. In his spare time, he composes music in his home studio, works on computers, and of course plays guitar.
3.      Thomas Gillis Jr (Drummer) Tom is a Grammy award winning audio engineer for stage and studio, guitar tech/luthier, musician, audio repairman, and so much more. Tom has been a part of Kids Who Rock since 2020, teaching bass, (although my primary instrument is drums/percussion), Tom started playing drums when he was 14, guitar at 17, and got his first bass at 20 years old. At that time Tom took music lessons during his time at Loyola University New Orleans to learn piano and to further his knowledge of guitar and music theory, as well as audio engineering. Since then, Tom has been acquiring and putting those skills into work helping songwriters make the most of their creations by recording, augmenting, and helping perform their music as they envision it. Every year Tom takes two weeks to record bands performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival helping spread the word about the good music there. Tom said, “I am, and continue to be, inspired by songwriters and musicians that I have met throughout my life”. 
4.      Thomas Driver (Bass guitar) on “Confident & Butterflies”.  Thomas has been the bassist for original music in local bands for many years, included, but not limited to A Jury of Robots and the band MADWAK who he shares songwriting with his wife, Patty Wak. Thomas is the VP of Kids Who Rock, Corp. and is a strong supporter. He raised 3 daughters and has a grand baby on the way.
5.      Larry Freeman (Bass guitar) on “My House” – Larry has been a Kids Who Rock volunteer since 2019 and  Assistant for the KWR Theater Club. Larry’s daughter, Donna, was a KWR student, is a current volunteer and was the first recipient of the annual Kids Who Rock graduate scholarship! Larry is a bass player, guitar player and vocalist in local bands since the 1980s, and his solo project is called the Freeman Band.  Larry currently playing in the Bridgepoint Church Praise Band in Lavon Texas and he loves helping out with the Kids Who Rock organization any chance he get! Because KIDS ROCK!
6.      Michelle Johnson (Rhythm guitar) “Give me a moment and I’ll tell you a story with music and song”.  Michelle was born not a musical family and taught herself how to play guitar as a child. It started with 3 chords and an Eagles song book. Michelle has taken the music biz to the highest point of a rock-n-roll band to playing acoustic shows and country songs. Being a singer/songwriter/guitar player has been one of the best blessings because for Michelle to have met so many beautiful people in my life including the Chicks Who Rock.  
Michelle has recorded and published 2 full length original albums with a successful tribute band honoring Black Sabbath called “Blonde Sabbath”.  She’s a hairdresser/make-up/photographer chick and also teaches guitar lessons. Michele says she has enjoyed the time with these Kids Who Rock as a Summer camp volunteer guitar/vocal coach.
7.      Sara Pray (Rhythm Guitar) Sara grew up loving music, but it was a tongue cancer diagnosis and recovery in 2010 that was the catalyst for Sara to make a change and start a band like she'd always dreamed.     She formed the classic rock band, Good Therapy, in 2015 and the band performed in the DFW area until they disbanded in 2021.  These days Sara stays busy with her band Vinyl Reality as well as solo music and standup comedy performances. She teaches Guitar with Chicks Who Rock summer camp and is a Round Table Leader.
8.      Alana Carol – (Vocal Coach/Backing Vocals) Alana is an executive Round Table Leader, & Compassionate Chick (Who Rocks!), she attended Bishop Lynch High School & Salem College Alumna. Alana was a choral performer for many years, traveling to Greece to sing the Verdi Requiem at the Apollo Theater, was directed by the infamous Eric Whitacre, moved to tears performing spirituals by Moses Hogan at ACDA & now a Sound Recordist for NOLA's Jazz fest with a Grammy award winning team.  She often breaks into song in her everyday life, being referred to as the human jukebox. :) Alana believes Kids Who Rock is the place to be, encouraging music to connect us beyond the beat.
9.      Andrew Penland (Bassist) Andrew is a Dallas, TX based bassist that got his start in the Deep Ellum music scene with multiple bands since the mid 2000’s. He is the bassist for national touring metalcore band Light the Fire since 2010. With Light the Fire, he has been a signed recording artist that has toured the United States 13 times, written and recorded on multiple albums that charted on the Billboard Music Top 200, and has amassed over 5 million streams on Spotify alone. Andrew loves what “Kids Who Rock” is about and is honored to be involved because of Eden Taylor. Performed/Recorded with: Light the Fire, System Overload, Black Tie Vendetta, Poor Bastards, Jonathan Jeter & The Revelators
10.   Patrick Penland (Drums for “What I Am) Pat is a retired defense contractor who has been singing and playing drums and percussion since age 8. He grew up in Fort Worth playing in rock bands with his brother and his best friend. He also played congas and percussion in a disco band in college in the 1970s, and has played and sung in numerous classic rock and cover bands over the past 25 years. Aside from music, Pat spends time building wheelchair ramps, delivering Meals on Wheels, and figuring taxes under the AARP Tax Aide volunteer program. Pat is married to his college sweetheart Marcie and is the father of Kids Who Rock bass player Andrew. He is here supporting Eden Taylor.
11.   Kevin Dell Greer (Harmonica for “My House”) Kevin has been a musician for 48 years. Got it from his father, who was a famous 50's Rocker. Kevin’s influences are Ronnie James Dio and Nat King Cole. He owns his own studio, RavenSong Productions. Kevin makes music videos for other musicians and is working on an album with various musicians. Kevin has been playing harmonica since he was 13 and was trained by an old blues harmonica player. He has blown harp with Joe Jonas and Curly Barefoot Miller. Kevin joined Kids Who Rock in 2020 for the Virtual Summer Camp.
12. Emmeline Miles (Keyboard)– Dr. Emmeline Miles is a pint-sized singer-songwriter from Dallas, TX with a soulful voice and an infectious smile. Called a “piano-focused Joni Mitchell” by DFW’s beloved Ghost of Blind Lemon blog and “a must-see Texas artist” by the Dallas Morning News, Emmeline’s jazzy take on folk-pop delivers detailed, heartfelt stories about love, loss, hope, perseverance, and triumph in the face of adversity. She has been a finalist for the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest at the Wildflower Festival and RAW Artists' Dallas Musician of the Year. When she’s not playing music, Emmeline is a proud teacher of phenomenally unique and talented musicians, wife to an amazing—and musical!—husband, and mom to a rescue lab mix, Chloe. She is blessed to be surrounded by people and dogs who inspire her to be better in every way.

 

PERFORMERS

DSA

 

Wayne Willingham Wayne stepped away from the music industry to work in a tech job. After a 20 year self-imposed exile and four albums, Wayne is reestablished as a performer and recording artist having recently completed his 5th album and toured the east coast and south in support. The voice clearer, the guitar work impeccable, the songs more insightful. Pandemic be damned, the show goes on. Wayne is back performing original songs and covers and has a program for seniors. Wayne won DSA’s Vern Dailey Song of the Year Award in 2022 for his song, “Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.” See the DSA Songwriter Spotlight on Wayne with performance and interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyqsbP1HvHc For more info: https://www.waynewillingham.com

 

Rio King
Born in Wichita Falls and spending his teen years in Dallas, Rio went to Lubbock’s Texas Tech to go to college, raise a family and, as it turned out, start a band, “The Techniques”, Playing rock and roll throughout West Texas and New Mexico, they scored a regional hit single, “Dream Theme”, recorded by the famous Norman Petty at his Clovis, NM studio. Switching to Texas music, Rio later became a Songwriter Finalist for two years at Rod Kennedy’s Kerrville Folk Festival. The past several years he’s continued his songwriting, garnering awards from DSA, including Songwriter of the Year in 2015 and enjoyed performing solo and sitting in with local bands in the Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin areas.  https://www.facebook.com/riokingtexas. https://www.rioking.com/

 

 

RISING STARS

1.     Lillian (Lily) Jemison is a 14-year old freshman at Sachse High School with a passion for music and community service. She is a member of the school's A Cappella choir and sings in the varsity pop A Capella group, Spur of the Moment. A talented multi-instrumentalist, she plays guitar, piano, and bass guitar in addition to her vocal skills. Beyond school and music, she has been actively involved with Kids Who Rock Camps for the last two years and looks forward to helping younger kids explore their passion for music too.
2.     Taylor Alyne is a 17-year-old singer, songwriter, performer, and musician. She currently attends Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. With a voice that belies her age, this young artist has been performing continually for 5+ years, entertaining families for as much as 120 hours a month!  
With a passion for sultry soul, country, pop, Taylor Alyne brings her  A-game with remixes of popular covers as well as sprinkling in her brand of songwriting and originals.
Taylor has earned over 100 appearances for the national anthem, Enchant, KidZania, Crayola Experience, Pro Sporting Events, Cartoon Network, political rallies, charity events and festivals, veteran events, private young teen parties, opening for the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks. She has done volunteer performances with national and local organizations such as Big Brother Big Sister, Dallas Fashion Stars for a Cause (suicide prevention), CASA, Kids who Rock, Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Music Meets Medicine.
3.     Eden Taylor - 11 years old - has been a part of KWR for a year and a half. She played drums in her band and helped write a song together in just 5 days. Eden has also performed in Seasonal Performances and Theater Club Programs produced by Kids Who Rock. Eden Said, “I want to be a singer in a band one day. I also enjoy playing guitar, piano, and drums. I guess you could call me a one-man band.”
4.     Ellah Blake, is 14 years old. According to Ellah. “I have been with Chicks Who Rock Camp for about 2 years writing songs and performing. Even though I have some stage fright I become more confident with each performance.” Not only does Ellah sing, but She also does figure skating and horseback riding.  Ellah and Claire Causey, who is singing back up with the Kids Who Rock band, grew up on the same street and have performed at several events together.
5.    Lavada Barnes  is a 17-year-old junior at Flower Mound HS who is involved in Speech and the Debate Team. Vada has studied voice and songwriting at Chicks Who Rock camp for years and was a Hall of Fame Rising Star in 2022, 2023, 2024 before this year. Lavada  loves hanging out with her friends and family and playing music any chance she gets.  Her mother, Regan Rodriguez, is a piano teacher and her sister is Junia Rodriguez who is singing back-up in the Kids Who Rock Band.
6.   Tayah Bell, 15,  is a freshman at Clark HS in Plano & very active in theater & choir! Tayah is originally from the SF Bay Area and started performing at age 6. Tayah has been attending and volunteering at Kids Who Rock Camps for the last 3 years and loves working with the younger kids and seeing their love of music grow.
7.  Bella Raper is a senior at The Hockaday School. She has been in productions of The Addams Family and A Year with Frog and Toad, and she most recently starred as Cinderella in the school’s production of Into the Woods. Bella has also been honored three times with the Judge’s Choice Award at the DMTA Jazz Pop Festival. In her free time, Bella loves to sing and scrapbook. She also enjoys fashion and photography. She is grateful for the support of her parents, Lisa and Brad, and her voice teacher, Emmeline Miles.  
8. Becca Hayes is a teen singer-songwriter from Dallas, TX. She began studying piano ten years ago and layered on vocals and guitar. Becca covers a variety of music genres, including pop, folk, and country. Her influences include Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter. Becca has begun writing and recording her own songs, and she hopes to release original music soon.
9. Kenzie Hutcheson
Kenzie is 15 and attends Warren Middle School in Forney where she is  a sophomore cheerleader.. She has played roles in theater productions including, Willy Wonka, It’s A Wonderful Life , Annie and Hankerin’ Hillbillies,  She is active in  volleyball and she performs on TikTok singing duets with her sister, Hailey. She was a DSA Hall of Fame Rising Star in 2024.