Meet the 2025 main Stage Performers

       For the entire day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Main Stage, sponsored by Century 21 Premier Group will feature the best in live entertainment at this year’s Texas Hot Link Festival. To kick things off, the Mescalero Cowboys will take the stage from 10-11 a.m. The seven-member band, hailing from Winnsboro, will bring the best of country. 

       Next on the main stage will be The Kim Donnette Band (pictured at left) performing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This blues, rock and groove band from Hallsville feature Kim Donnette on vocals, Clete Taylor (BGV), Rodney Beal (drums), Jethro Mathis (sax), Jennifer Leard (bass) and Barry Jenkins on guitar. Named IBC Memphis, 2024 International Blues Semi-Finalist and the reigning North Texas Blues Champions, the Kim Donnette Band have played at venues including The Simply Texas Blues Festival, Denton Blues Fest, Tobaccodoches Festival, Hot Springs Battle of the Band and the Gregg County Fair. They have also performed on various stages from West Texas to Louisiana and all points between. The band was formed in 2019 when a collection of professional musicians was drawn together by a desire to put out original music with a great groove. Their unique entertainment brand fuses Kim's dynamic vocals and command of the stage with the accents of soulful sax, funky rhythms, driving bass, and imaginative guitar leads. Mercedes Thomas of the Rock Era magazine described the group as a "female fronted Blues, rock (band) that exceeds expectations.”

       The Sound Machine is up next performing from 1-2 p.m. Expect country, rock, blues, pop and disco sounds to come from this two-member group based in East Texas. Will Rogers is a singer/songwriter who plays multiple instruments and has original music on all digital platforms. In the early 1990s, he created the Will Rogers Band in the Midwestern USA. After being selected by an agent in NYC, they performed across the country on the America's Ride Tour. Will has also shared the stage with several recording artists including Pat Green, David Allan Coe, Lone Star, Little Texas and many more. Will currently teamed up with talented drummer Gary Meshberg to form the musical group Sound Machine. Sound Machine performs a large variety of music with a light show sure to please any crowd for a truly entertaining experience.

        Born in Toronto, Canada Gary Meshberg played drums in the Toronto club for many years before his move to Montreal. Then in 1999, after playing the Montreal club scene for years, he relocated to Dallas where he continued to lay down a solid backbeat for several club bands. His +30 years of playing experience is rooted in up-tempo blues, classic rock and R&B. Gary and his wife Kellye live in Pittsburg, TX, and can be spotted cruising on Lake Bob Sandlin.

       Known for their electrifying performances and diverse musical repertoire, they effortlessly blend Country, R&B, and Rock and Roll to create a unique sound that captivates audiences of all ages. With a passion for delivering an unforgettable party atmosphere, the Sound Machine Band goes beyond just music, incorporating a full light show and top-notch sound quality into their performances. Their stage presence and energy are infectious, turning every event into a memorable experience. Whether it's a lively festival, a rocking club night, or a private event, the Sound Machine Band is guaranteed to bring the house down with its electrifying performances and versatile musical style.

        The fourth act on the Century 21 Premier Group Main Stage, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. will be Anthony Price and Southern Front Band, a five-member traditional country group. Anthony Price and The Southern Front Band formed in October 2021. Since the band formed, they have played dance halls and private parties in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. 

Texarkana, Texas native Anthony Price is an up-and-coming traditional country music artist. Anthony developed a love for the guitar at age 11 and his love for country music at age 12. At age14 with the help of Billy Roberts, Anthony put together the Southern Front Band. At the age of 16, Anthony and his band now play venues all over Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas etc. He carries on his love of traditional country through his songwriting and music. His debut singles are now receiving airplay around the country. 

       Milam Albright, 59, of Texarkana, Texas is a multi-talented musician who is celebrating his 50th year of performing on stage. Albright’s main instrument is a 6-string bass, but he is also proficient in drums, some piano and rhythm guitar. At age 7, his dad, the late Don Albright, who was also a musician himself, went to the local Sears and Roebuck and bought Milam a Winston guitar. His dad said that his son had an incredible ear for music and the rest was history. Milam was playing clubs and honky tonks at the age of 9. At age 25, Milam left the local music scene and went to Mike Bishop’s Country Time Jamboree as a traveling performer. He did that for a short time. He came back home approximately six months later, met up with Henry and Carol Matthews and became the staff bass/drummer player for the Oaklawn Opry, a country music variety show in Texarkana. He was part of that show for almost 20 years. During that span, he got to open for such legends as Gene Watson, Gretchen Wilson and Charlie Daniels. He looks to further his music career in the future in Branson, Missouri.

       Jim Smith started playing guitar in a band in high school. He joined a country band shortly after graduation around 1971. Jim played with a versatile band from late 70s to early 80s playing light rock and disco. In 1982, he formed his own country band and continued limited bookings until joining The Southern Front Band in 2021. 

Billy Roberts began his musical journey at the age of 12. He began taking Spanish guitar lessons, but began going to school dances and watched the live bands they had and learned to play rock and roll. After playing a couple of years in a rock band, he switched to bass guitar. At 16, he started playing bass with a country band called the Rhythmaires. The musicians in this band were much older than he was, but he gained a world of musical knowledge from them. In 1978, he started playing bass at a big night club called the Hayloft that was west of Texarkana. It was there he became interested in country-style piano. After a two-year stint at the Hayloft, he started playing piano with several of the local country bands. In 2004, he started playing piano with a band called Edge of Texas and played all over the four-states area. When his grandson Anthony Price wanted to start playing country music, he helped form a band for him and they have been playing ever since.

       Chip Bricker is known as a musician’s musician. He has backed many stars in the music industry, including, Freddy Fender, Willie Nelson, Gene Watson, TG Sheppard, Moe Bandy, Janie Fricke, Bill Gaither and many more. Able to play multiple instruments, he has played on or produced 29 #1 songs in five different genres of music. Now semi-retired from touring, he enjoys playing in the studio and leading worship at church.

       Since the band formed in October 2021, they have played dance halls and private parties in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. 

       From 4-5 p.m, Act 5, the Sweet Pain Rocks will perform. This Longview based rock and classic rock four-member band features Sonia Tiner: Lead Vocals, Rhythm, Keys; Kindra Tiner: Bass Guitar, Background Vocals; Paul "Dog" Nelson: Lead Guitar, Background Vocals and Drew Theiring: Drums, Background Vocals

       Sonia Tiner started playing in middle school band at the age of 10 as a trombone player. She quit band to pursue sports in high school. She started playing guitar at 16. She took a few piano lessons at 12, but only plays by ear now. Sweet Pain Rocks is the first rock band that she has ever been in and started back in 2007. Sonia has kept Sweet Pain rockin' for 17 years now.

       Kindra Tiner started playing guitar at the age of 14. She grew up playing country music and was raised among many family members who played music. She was in a country female band that she played lead guitar in. When Sweet Pain Rocks needed a bassist, she said she would do it. She has been the bass player ever since. Kindra was also in high school band and played the bass drum. She has been with Sweet Pain for 17 years straight.

        Paul "Dog" Nelson has been in multiple bands his entire life and all over Florida, Ohio, Louisiana and California. He sings lead in his band Black Ice and plays lead guitar. He has reunited with Sweet Pain, which he helped form, once again, to play lead guitar. He can also play piano. He enjoys raising his daughter, Skye, who is 14 and he also enjoys writing songs.

        Drew Theiring loves playing the drums and has many years of experience. He played drums while in band at Whitehouse ISD. One of his influences is Jon Bonham and that sound can be heard in his playing. Drew also loves his siblings. He enjoys playing in Sweet Pain and also played in a band called "Dazed" while with his friends in high school.

      From songs like "Barracuda" to "More than a "Feeling, lead singer Sonia Tiner has the pipes to leave you wanting more. The band has been bringing more than just music to the East Texas area for 17 years. The audience gets a rock show and did we mention this band also has a female bass player? Kindra Tiner aka "KAT" throws down with the best. She takes it from Guns n Roses to Metallica with her beloved Schecter bass guitar. Look out boys, she ain't playing. On the other side of the stage, there is Paul aka "Dog" Nelson. This guy has been around the music scene long enough to know what he is doing. Getting the songs as close to the originals as possible, he will wail on his favorite axe all night long. Who knows, you might get lucky enough to get a little guitar solo from him. Last but not least, Drew Theiring performs on the drums. He is the band’s animal on the kit. Close your eyes during the Zepplins and you will think you hear Jon Bonham back there. Drew is described as a ninja when the band cuts him loose. 

       Act 6 of the day, City Limits, will take to the Main Stage from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and features four members playing everything from classic country, Southern rock and a variety of other genres.

       Dick Chapman, who plays the guitar/bass and sings vocals, lives in Gilmer via Houston by way of West Virginia. He has played Solo Duo and several bands opening for headliners like Eddie Raven, Ronnie Milsap, George Jones and Jo-El Sonnier. 

        Jame Hargus, a native Texan, plays the bass/guitar and sings vocals. Another longtime musician, Hargus has a degree in Music from SMU and has played bass for Ray Price and Hank Thompson. He lives in Winnsboro with his wife Kristy.

       Kristy Hargus, another native Texan, plays piano/mandolin/percussion. She was raised in a musical family in the D/FW metroplex.  Her first live performance was at the tender age of 9 growing up singing and playing piano with her dad and brother. Going on to be a member of the house band, The Rounders, at the Garland Opry, she has performed in several other bands. She lives in Winnsboro with her husband Jame.

        Woodie Thornton, drummer, is an Alabama native. He was on the tour bus at 16 years old with the swing band Bill Lagman’s Big Band of Renown. He played the Mardi Gras Balls from Pensacola, Mobile and New Orleans. He was a music major at the University of Alabama and worked as a session drummer at Muscle Shoals and Memphis. He was the drummer in the orchestra pit the night Diane Sawyer won the title of Jr Miss America. He resides in Winnsboro.

        City Limits got together in a rehearsal room to see what might happen and realized it was something special a couple of rehearsals later.  They explained that it was as if the stars had aligned and they were a good fit together. They agreed to work together as long as the music was good and they were having fun.

       Rounding out the Main Stage entertainment this year at the festival is Lady Chazz and the Tramps set to perform from 7-8 p.m. The 5-member band plays R&B and pop. The group’s type of music is all music--no set genre. They play music for all including R&B, pop, country, soft rock and a little rap. They describe their music as music that soothes the soul or sets you on fire. In existence since 2002,  Lady Chazz came to Texas in 1998 with her husband Daddy Rich (Richard Lee). They both have been in the business a long time since the mid-seventies. Chazz started singing and dancing with her dad at age five. Rich started showing true interest while in high school. Lady Chazz has performed with and for Johhny Otis, Tina Turner, Big Joe Turner, Bobby Blue Bland, War and Midnight Star to name a few. Daddy Rich sang with Seventh Flee Reserve while in the military. Soon after he and others formed a group called 2+2 and toured while serving in the United States Navy.

        The players in this group have been a part of the band’s family for years off and on. Jimmy Piatt, guitarist, is one of East Texas’ hottest guitar players. He is well versed in all styles. He has been with the group the longest, since 2009. Jimmy plays a variety of styles with various bands around the Longview area, but he is dedicated to what the Tramps bring for entertainment. 

Tim Briggs, bassist, played with the group off and on for a number of years as bass and guitar player. He started playing guitar at the age of fourteen and switched to bass to play for the Alan Fox band more than a decade ago. He has played guitar and bass with many groups such as Rickey Lynn Gregg and Bobby Clair. Terry Salyer, the drummer, is the newest member of this group. When he is not touring nationally or internationally, he is an educator of music and a recording artist. He has played on many soundtracks for commercials, television and world-charting songs.

       Get ready to enjoy a full day of exceptional live entertainment on the Century 21 Premier Group Main Stage in downtown Pittsburg.