Meet the 2026 main Stage Performers

        Main Stage Act 1: Anthony Price and the Southern Front Band 

10:00-11:15 a.m.

Genre: Traditional country

Members include: Anthony Price as lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Billy Roberts on piano, Chip Bricker on bass guitar and harmony, Jim Smith on lead guitar and Milam Albright on drums and harmony 

Anthony Price and The Southern Front Band is a traditional country band that formed in October of 2021. Since the band formed, they have played dance halls and private parties in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. 

Anthony Price, a Texarkana, TX native, 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 the four-state area. 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, TX, 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, but when he came back home approximately 6 months later, he 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. Milam 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 following years 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 later started going to school dances and watched the live bands. This is where he 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 Billy, 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 2-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 4-states area. When his grandson, Anthony Price, wanted to start playing country music, he helped form a band for him and has 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 5 different genres of music. Now semi-retired from touring, he enjoys playing in the studio and leading worship at church.

Contact: 

Anthony Price

thesouthernfrontband@gmail.com

903-293-6062

Main Stage Act 2: Petty Cash

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Genre: Country, Blues, Rock

Members include: Danny Carroll on lead guitar, Gary Meshberg on drums; Jeff Kilburn on fiddle and vocals, Mike Wiginton on guitar and vocals and Robert (Bob) Brady on bass

The Petty Cash Band East Texas includes five talented and seasoned musicians. Unlike many of today's bands, the band comprises various musical influences that blend to provide a sound unique to Petty Cash. Expect to be surprised by the talent and imagination of Petty Cash. Influences include Tom Petty and Johnny Cash, but also various genres from traditional country featuring familiar violin melodies to classic music with guitar licks that all will recognize. Dance or sing along to the hits you know and love from The Petty Cash Band East Texas.

Mike Wiginton has been the lead singer and rhythm guitar player for several bands in the North Dallas area.  He recently left McKinney, Texas to live the lake life in Pittsburg, TX.  Mike can handle vocals in the style of Tom Petty to Johnny Cash and most styles in between.  He is currently lead singer for The Petty Cash Band East Texas.  Influences include Chris Stapleton, John Fogerty, The Eagles, George Strait, Steve Earle, Jackson Brown, Jimmy Buffett as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Rolling Stones.  His recent projects included The Back Talkin' Johnny Band and The After 5 Band. 

Bob Brady developed his bass style by playing in clubs and shows in Chicago, Illinois. More recently, he was the bass player for The Back Talkin’ Johnny Band, which played out of McKinney, Texas. Bob’s influences begin with Led Zeppelin, Stones and Creedence and continue to Tom Petty, George Strait and Chris Stapleton. 

Danny Carroll is a lifelong guitarist.  He is native Texan from Frisco, TX. Throughout his life, he has performed with numerous individuals and bands covering all genres.  Upon retiring from government employment, he now resides in Winnsboro, TX.

Jeff Kilburn is a longtime Pittsburg resident. He is a farmer by day and a fiddle player by night. He picked up his first fiddle while serving in the USAF over 30 years ago. He has played in countless local and regional bands and groups including country, gospel, bluegrass, western swing, jazz bands and even a few classical string ensembles. His musical influences include Johnny Gimble, Stephane Grappelli, Asleep at the Wheel and Nat King Cole. Jeff and his wife Kristin live on their farm near Pittsburg.

Gary Meshberg, born in Toronto, Canada, played drums in the Toronto clubs 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 are 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.

Contact: 

Gary Meshberg

garymeshberg@yahoo.com

214-476-5895

      Main Stage Act 3: Lady Chazz 

and the Tramps 

2:00-3:15 p.m.

Genre: R&B, Pop, Country, Soft Rock, Rap

Band Description:  

Our type of music is all music, we have no set genre. We do not just play for one type of person, or one age group. We play music for all. R&B, Pop, Country, soft Rock, and a little Rap. Music that will soothe the soul or set you on fire. Entertainment is our stick, good music, with lots of fun and laughter.

Lady Chazz and the Tramps  has been 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 when 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 they toured while serving in the United States Navy.

The players in this group have been a part of our 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. Gary Meshberg: Born in Toronto, Canada, Gary played drums in the Toronto, Montreal and Dallas clubs for many years. His +30 years of playing are rooted in up-tempo blues, classic rock, and R&B. Gary and his wife Kellye live in Pittsburg, TX.

Facebook: ladychazzandthetramps@facebook.com

Contact: Charlotte Lee richchazz2@aol.com 903-241-5477

City : Gladewater, TX

Main Stage Act 4: Live N' Kicking Band

4:00-5:15 p.m. 

Genre: Classic Rock

Members Include:
Gary Swinard - Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals

Barry Jenkins- Guitar, Vocals

Gary McClain- Bass Guitar, Vocals

Keith Stainback- Drums

JD Mathis- Saxophone   

Live N Kickn is an East Texas-based Classic Rock cover band consisting of seasoned musicians whose passion for music delivers an experience filled with energy and fun.

Barry Jenkins: Guitar/Vocals

Barry is a seasoned, very talented guitarist who has played all over the USA and masters any genre of music. Moving to ETex from Nashville, Barry now lives in Kilgore.

Gary Swinard: Guitar/Keys/Vocals

In 1963 at age 12, Gary started his first band. At 15 yrs old he was playing on big stages, rubbing shoulders and opening for famous iconic bands such as Deep Purple, The Kinks, Jethro Tull, The Zombies, just to name a few. Gary moved from the UK to the US in 2001.

Gary McClain: Bass/Vocals

Born in East Texas, Gary was heavily influenced by the British Invasion sounds of the 60’s and 70’s. His local band won the most popular band award four consecutive years. Some of Gary’s musical influences include, SRV, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, etc.

Keith Stainback: Drums

Since picking up a pair of drumsticks at the age of 12, music has been an integral part of Keith’s life. Music has taken him to wonderful places in the US, Canada, and Europe, allowing him to share the stage with many talented musicians. After living for years on the East Coast, Keith is now back in his hometown Tyler, TX.

JD Mathis: Saxophone

Being classically trained in East Texas by some of the areas most talented teachers, JD plays many styles of music. His musical skill and energy on stage always thrills the audience. JD lives in Lindale, Tx.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/share/1DaNEAjL7f/?mibextid=wwXIfr

  Contact: Keith Stainback 903-920-4249

City : Tyler, TX

Main Stage Act 5: Cristo Escalante

6:00-7:15 p.m. 

Genre: Country

Members Include:

Christo Escalante: Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals

Brandon Jones: Lead guitar, Vocals

Fernando Jimenez: Bass Guitar

Melvin Jackson Jr: Drums

Bios:

Christo- 19 year old artist/song writer/ and producer from Mount Pleasant, Tx. Born in Dallas, Tx as a premature baby and is alive by the grace of God. Loves women as much as he loves music. Lives by motto 

“Chasing That Neon Rainbow”

Fernando- 19 year old Bass player from Mount Pleasant, Tx. Enjoys fishing and hanging out with friends. Spends most of his time on his bass and learning guitar. 

Brandon- Brandon Jones - grew up in Lamar County TX. Moved to Lubbock at 21, got into the TX country / rock scene at 24 and now spend time hanging at home with my wife & baby

Melvin- My name is Melvin Jackson Jr I’m from Como, Tx and I’m the Drummer for Christo Escalante. I’ve been playing drums for 15 years and since then they became my life. Love traveling with the band and the get togethers after the gigs.